EVERTON'S BIG CHANCE FOR A BREAK-THOUGH
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday December 1, 1962
THIS IS DAY FOR YOUNG TO SHOW HIS QUALITIES
By Horace Yates
Just now Tottenham Hotspur supporters should count themselves among the most fortune in the football world. Last week, if they considered the trip worthwhile, they had the clash with Burnley. Today Everton, the team which is hoping not only to keep Spurs from regaining the championship, but to take from them the F.A Cup as well, are at White Hart Lane, in a match which might well turn it into White Hot Lane, and then they have Burnley following on for the F.A Cup third round game on January 5. There may be arguments about the finest team in the League, but most people would be prepared to concede that if you named Everton, Tottenham and Burnley, you could be pretty certain of including the best. No expense has been spared on either side in assembling the finest players which money can buy. Neither club would probably like to go on record as saying that they now have all the players they would like to have, for that is an ideal hardly ever attainable. To play their part fully Everton have to remember simply that they are League leaders and to forget the unhappy fact that of their three reverses on opponents grounds this term, two have been in London-to the lowly Fulham and Leyton orient.
UP TO STANDARD
Bogies exist only in the imagination. Everton left points behind in London because they did not play up to standard. That is no reason why they should not be in celebration mood today. I am not in the least depressed by the fact that Everton have been soundly beaten on their last six visits to Tottenham and that in those games they have conceded 27 goals against six. Their thrashing have included 6-0 and 10-4 beatings, but could the Everton team of those days compare with that of today? Of course not. Everton must be as concerned as anyone about the see-saw top of the table fluctuation with the lead changing according to whichever side may be at home. Here is Everton's big chance for the break through. They have a lead of two points at the moment. A win for Spurs merely give them the lead on goal average, but victory to Everton would enable them to show a clean pair of heels at what might easily be a decisive moment in what has so far, proved a neck and neck struggle. Spurs knew what they were doing when they parted with £100,000 to sign Greaves, for he has kept them at the pinnacle when otherwise they might have been to slide. He has 19 goals to his name for Tottenham and to give him half a chance is to court disaster, for he needs less time to produce a shooting position than any marksman in Britain.
NO LAGGARD
Still, Denis Law, no laggard with the goal in front of him, was reduced to very ordinary propositions by this Everton defence. It may not be too much to hope that Greaves and his co-partner in goal scoring, Jones may similarly be kept in subjection. Naturally a close watch will be kept on Vernon, but as I see it, this is the day for Young to show his qualities. With his speed and acceleration he should turn Norman's afternoon into a nightmare. Everton; West; Parker or Thomson; Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall. Tottenham Hotspur; Brown; Baker, Henry; Blanchflower, Norman, Mackay, Clayton, White, Allen, Greaves, Jones.
IT'S THOMSON OR PARKER
The unenviable job of marking Cliff Jones, the flying Tottenham winger, may go to George Thomson. He is named as a possible for the Everton right-back position for today's clash and may take over from Parker on the right flank. The Everton team will be announced just before the kick-off.

THRILLS GALORE IN THIS TOP OF THE TABLE TUSSLE
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express – Saturday December 1 1962
VERNON AND GREAVES HELD BY DEFENCES
By Horace Yates
Tottenham Hotspur; Brown; Baker, Henry; Blanchflower (Captain), Norman, Marchi; Clayton, Mackay, Allen, Greaves, Jones. Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon (Captain), Veall. Referee; Mr. P. Rhodes (York).
For this top of the table clash, the gates were closed a quarter of an hour before the start which meant that something like 60,000 spectators were inside. Everton retained Parker at right back, and because of the unfitness of the right wing pair, Medwin and White, Spurs moved Mackay to inside right, and brought in Clayton on the wing with Marchi at left half. Everton were off to a fine start, and after Vernon had sent Brian Harris away, the half-back hit the ball hard only to find it rebounding from Baker. Norman was luckier when in a duel with Young he used his hand unfairly, but the Spurs player got away with it. There was menace in every movement that Greaves made and for a moment it looked as though he had put Labone on the wrong foot, as he bore in towards goal. Labone recovered splendidly and prevented Greaves from bringing his lethal foot into action.
LIVELY ATTACK
Everton survived an uneasy two or three minutes in which Spurs twice earned a corner kick and then contributed, their finest attack to date when Young beat both Baker, and Blanchflower near the line, and crossed the ball to Vernon. The skipper's shot was charged down but Bingham took a land in the firing, and Vernon rushed up to the goal line and it was not until Stevens had vainly competed with Norman in the air that Brown was eventually able to clear Blanchflower was at fault in allowing his pass to be intercepted by the alert Vernon, who raced through to hit a great drive which Brown did well to keep out, Meagan was in magnificent form at left back for Everton. Not only did he defend perfectly, but he used the ball with real constructive ability.
GRRAVES—THE IDOL
No wonder Greaves is an idol for not only is he a goal-taker. He was simply magnificent the way he slotted the ball through the Everton defence to Jones right in front of the goal, and it was a bad miss by the Welsh international that prevented Tottenham from taking the lead. Everton were contributing the share of thrills, and thrills there were in abundance. When Young dispossessed Blanchflower on the wing he brought the ball into the centre where Harris took over. . Brian juggled for possession and hit his shot hard but just too high to be of any consequence.
CALL FOR PENALTY
Greaves again laid on another superb chance for Jones. This time the winger switched to the right corner of the box, and although momentarily uncovered, he could not find the target. It was good to see a referee determined to do his duty fearlessly and fairly. When Parker took the ball from Mackay inside the penalty area, down went the Tottenham forward and everybody screamed for a penalty. The referee was not in the least Impressed, and waved play on. Moreover I am decision was right. A Harris-Stevens link- up put Vernon in an angled shooting position, and although he hit the ball hard Brown was perfectly placed to deal with it After its blistering start, the pace had strode to more normal proportions, but had to be alert to save a header which could have sneaked in at the foot of the post.
FOR THIS RELIEF
This man Greaves is nothing short of dynamite. When Blanchflower lobbed the ball to the England forward there was no danger. He was adequately marked. He moved one way and quick as thought was off on the other foot. Almost simultaneously, he hit the ball, beat West, and it was a lovely sight to the Everton supporters to see the ball rebounding from the bar instead of nestling in the back of the net, as it might well have been. Tottenham had undoubtedly stolen the initiative at the half hour, but it was good to see the Evert on defence so resolutely inclined. Vernon paid the penalty of trying to work the ball to the ideal position before hitting it, for the Tottenham defence too, gave no second chance. It was a good thing for Tottenham that Bingham was flagged offside as Henry undoubtedly handled the ball inside the area from the winger's cross. Vernon had been somewhat subdued for a time so that it was encouraging to find him flashing into the attack in his Goodison style. Just outside the area, however, Blanchflower dispossessed him as neatly as you please. Harris out Everton in jeopardy when he misjudged a long kick and enabled Allen to take over. The watchful Labone, however, was equal to the challenge. Right on the stroke of half-time Norman headed out over his own line, and the whistle sounded before the corner kick could be taken. Half-time.—Tottenham nil. Everton nil.
Veall, who had made little impression on the game, opened the second half with a brilliant pass to Vernon and only the precise Intervention of Baker prevented the Everton captain getting in what must have been a scoring shot.
WHITE IS MISSED
It was a tribute to the speed of the Everton defence that Tottenham were being hurried out of their cool calculating style and having to do everything, at top speed took a lot of the edge off an attack which had plainly showed how much the absence of White was being missed. Inevitably the best shot of the game came from Greaves. A rebound put hint in possession outside the penalty area and the ball simply screamed no more than a couple of feet over the crossbar. Jones was always popping up menacingly in front of goal. Most of the chances had gone his way, and there was another when he was in position to connect with a Mackay centre, but as had happened before, Jones could not keep the ball down low enough.
HAMMIER AND TONGS
Although the match probably needed a goal at this stage to light it up it was still a hammer and tongs affair with defences limiting scoring opportunities to a minimum. Blanchflower produced the situation which could have brought about the downfall of the Everton goal. Once again a lofted header put paid to the chance. Now it was Everton's turn to claim a free kick when Young was bowled over by Mackay just outside the area, and although the crowd took up the crowd shout "Off Off Off " the referee was quite content that no foul had been incurred.
GOOD CHANCE MISSED
Everton hopes rose to a new peak when Bingham found Stevens exposed right on the penalty spot. Had Stevens killed the ball immediately he must have had a wonderful chance but the ball rebounded a foot or so and that was enough for Spurs to recover. At this stage it was obvious that gilt-edged chances were going to be extremely few, consequently no one could blame Vernon when he attempted a bow at venture even though the ball was well wide.
FORCE MEETS FORCE
It was a mark of the industry of the Everton players that Young won possession of a ball only 10 or 15 yards outside his own penalty area. Gabriel was fighting like a man inspired and when the bulldozing Mackay sought to show that force was sometimes superior to skill he found Gabriel meeting force with force and still coming off on top. With about twenty minutes left for play Tottenham appeared to be making their supreme effort. They threw everything into attack and yet there was always an Evertonian against whom the attack broke. As so often happens when the emphasis is so much on the offensive, Everton broke clean away through Vernon and Bingham, and Bingham's cross was headed by Young into the arms of Brown. Everton could be well satisfied with earning a point not only because it was obtained against one of the game's outstanding teams, but also because it kept them firmly planted at the top of the table. With courage and resolution such as they showed to-day. Everton may well hold on to that position. Final: Tottenham 0, Everton 0. Official attendance: 60.626.
Lancashire League
Rochdale Res, nil, Everton A 1
Rochdale A nil, Everton B 5

CAP-WAERING DAYS!
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express - Saturday 01 December 1962
EVERTON PLAYERS IN THE HONOURS
By Alex Young.
Happy days at Goodison Park this week with the honours coming the way of several of our players. There has been another Irish cap for Billy Bingham (and a goal), further Under-23 caps for Jimmy Gabriel and Colin Green in the Scotland-Wales clash next Wednesday. Brian Labone in the Football League side on Thursday night, and what with the FA. Cup draw and our game against Tottenham to-day, there has been plenty to talk about in the Goodison dressing room. I will take the Cup draw first and would like to point out that if you think we Everton players are looking on our tie at Barnsley as an easy one, then you are well wide of the mark. Winning a Cup-tie away from home is never an easy task, and the fact that the opposition comes from the Third Division (or even the Fourth for that matter) does not make a great deal of difference. Barnsley are a useful side, as our manager, Mr. Catterick, saw when he went over the Pennines to watch them on Tuesday. Their pitch at Oakwell is quite a good one. I am told, and the better the pitch, the better we like it. As if to give us a gentle reminder that he is still around, former Evertonian Eddie O'Hara scored three times in Tuesday's match. and it is Interesting to note that if the team formations in January remain the same as they are now, then Eddie will be in direct opposition to Alex Parker, who has been his colleague at both Falkirk and Everton.
AND RING
Eddie and I never played alongside each other in Everton's colours, but we have been together in the Scotland Under-29 team. Another former Everton player on the staff at Barnsley Is of course Tommy Ring. One of the draw's bright spots from an Everton point of view was the pairing of Tottenham and Burnley, but I'm sure one of these two clubs is not going to see things the same way as we do. Another interesting event on Monday was a presentation by the Everton Supporters' Club to Brian Labone, in recognition of his England selection. Brian, who had to report for training with the League party, was unable to be there, and another Everton player missing was yours truly. I was awaiting the return of my wife and baby from Scotland, so hope Brian and the Supporters' Club will excuse my absence.
LOCAL INTEREST
The news of Jimmy Gabriel's Under 21 selection was naturally very warmly received by the Everton staff. Rarely can an honour have been more richly deserved. This is Jimmy's big chance to stake his claim for full international recognition and we wish him well. Our reserve full back, Colin Green, will be in the Welsh team opposing Jimmy, and the selection by Scotland of Liverpool's Tommy Lawrence has given the game a real local interest. Back to last Saturday, and I think our victory over Sheffield United was a comfortable one. The Blades played some attractive football, but their attack lacked penetration. A brilliant goal by Roy Vernon, followed by a fabulous chip from the right wing to lay on a second goal for Denis Stevens were, I think, the highlights, although Jimmy Gabriel deserved a better fate for really tremendous header during the second half than to see it strike the crossbar. There has been a piece of bad luck for John Phillips, a Glasgow youngster, who joined the Everton staff at the beginning of the season
SAVING PENALTIES
John who In his short time at Goodison has gained quite a reputation as a goal scoring wing half, has had the misfortune to break a small bone in his ankle with the result that he now hobbles about Goodison with his partner-in-distress, Derek Temple Here's hoping it Is not very long before we see them both in action again. It is sometime since we have answered questions from readers, but there have been one or two in the mailbag recently and I shall deal with them as space permits. David Tickner, of Wavertree, asks me whether Gordon West has any special technique for dealing with penalty kicks, so I tackled Gordon about the matter and I think you'll find his answer quite enlightening. Gordon says he keeps a mental note of the penalty-takers he has met and is likely to meet at some future date, so that when he is faced with an opponent taking a penalty he can make a fair guess as to which side of him the ball will be placed. Nevertheless the odds are very much against the goalkeeper when the kick is taken, and Gordon emphasises that he merely gambles on where the ball is likely to go. If he is right there is a fair chance he will be able to save—if he is wrong he just looks foolish. By studying his opposition so carefully, however, Gordon ensures that he is not made to look foolish quite as often as goalkeepers who are not so thorough. Gordon says, too, that in his case it is an advantage to be able to watch television film of a match and "spy" on the opposition that way. Lastly a pat on the back for those of you who spotted my slip of the pen when describing my journey home from Edinburgh in last week's column. The route I took was through Harrogate and Preston—not Chester.

SPENDING SPREE SHOCK THE SOCCER WORLD
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express - Saturday 01 December 1962
SOCCER WITH THE STARS
By Billy Bingham
Early in January, 1953, we were top of the First Division and playing with consistency and great confidence. Then came a dismal show against Scunthorpe in the F.A. Cup, in which, after being held to a draw at Roker Park, we scrambled through on the replay. From that point we slumped horribly, didn't win another game for over two months, and finally finished ninth in the table. This, then, was the background to the spending spree that shook the soccer world the following June. Inside one week Sunderland spent a total of more than £65,000 on three International players Ray Daniel, of Arsenal and Wales, a centre-half: Billy Elliott, of Burnley and England, an outside-left; and Jimmy Cowan, of Morton and Scotland, a goalkeeper. In these days, when you can get only one star player for what these three players cost then, it may be hard to appreciate what a sensation this caused at the time. So Sunderland now had eight internationals representing all four home countries, and in August, 1953, it looked as if nothing could stop us. But not for long, for the first six games produced only three points. The situation between Shackleton and Ford had never been a happy one and now it deteriorated. They appeared to dislike each other off the field and never seemed to strike up an understanding on it. Each blamed the other for this state of affairs and I suppose there were faults on both sides.
AT THE BOTTOM
Eventually the only remedy, short of transferring one or the other, was to play them in alternate matches. This ridiculous state of affairs clearly couldn't last for long and in November Ford was quietly transferred to Cardiff City. Within a few weeks, by which time we were even more firmly at the bottom of the table, they had spent again, this time to buy inside forward Ken Chisholm from Cardiff. Even so we had not yet reached rock bottom. That came with the humiliation of defeat by Doncaster Rovers in the third round of the F. A. Cup—and on our own ground at that. We came to the final decisive stage, a late Easter programme involving home and away games with Sheffield United, and a visit to our neighbours at Middlesbrough, all three of us being live candidates for relegation. We dropped a home point to United on the Good Friday, salvaged one the following day at Ayresome Park and finally won the return game at Sheffield 3-1 on the Monday. That meant Liverpool and Middlesbrough went down and we happily ended an unhappy season with a good home victory over Burnley. We were, in fact, approaching the high-water mark of the "Bank of England" team. The next season was to be as near to complete success as 1953-54 had been to complete disaster, for by reaching the Cup semi-finals and finishing fourth In the League we could claim to be the best al-round team in the country. Some of the stars—like Willie Watson and Trevor Ford—had already moved on; others like Charley Fleming and Don Revie. — had still to appear over the Roker horizon. But no one could say Sunderland lacked personality appeal when we could field a team something like this: Fraser; Hedley, McDonald: Anderson, Daniel, Aitken: Bingham (or Wright! Shackleton, Purdon, Chisholm, Elliott.
NECK-AND-NECK
Between April, 1954, and April, 1957, Sunderland went from near-disaster to near-triumph and then all the way back to public disgrace and humiliation. We started the 1954-55 season where we left off the previous season, taking eight points from our first five games, and a 4-2 victory over our Newcastle neighbours in October put Sunderland top of the First Division and from then on we were neck-and-neck with Wolves until almost the end of the season. With the New Year came the added excitement of a good Cup run. We started in the third round with a 1-0 home victory over Burnley and then beat Preston in a replay after a thrilling 3-3 draw at Deepdale. Another replay was needed to dispose of Swansea in the fifth round. We now had one too many star forwards, despite the departure of my old rival Tommy Wright. In January Tommy was transferred to East Fife in part-exchange for Charlie Fleming an inside-forward with the scoring power of a centre-forward. Cannon-ball Charlie, as his nickname implies, had a terrific shot in either foot. His arrival made team-selection more ticklish, because assuming Shackleton was normally an automatic choice; it had to be any two from Chisholm, Purdon and Fleming for the other inside-forward positions. Purdon complicated the issue by scoring the two goals that enabled us to win the top-of-the-table sixthround Cup-tie with Wolves, who were unlucky enough to be a man short for all but the first few minutes. So the scene was set for the semi-finals. We managed to dodge Newcastle in the draw; they were to meet York City, that, season's giant-killers, while we took on Manchester City at Villa Park. It looked like an all-North-East final for the first time in history. When we saw the waterlogged swamp that was the Villa Park pitch an hour before the kick-off most of us felt sure the match would be off but the crowds were already flocking through the turnstiles and soon we realised we should have to play. There was no score at half time, and in the second half the pitch was even worse, if that was possible, and gradually we were pegged back.
HOPES ENDED
Eventually, Bill Spurdle got away down City's right wing, sent the ball towards the far post and there was Roy Clarke to put it into the net. That was the end of the scoring and the end of our Wembley hopes. For us the rest of the season was anti-climax. Chelsea, of all teams, won the championship, which may be an indication that this was a poor vintage year anyway but more likely meant that they had taken advantage of the fact that nearly all their rivals for the title were heavily committed in the Cup during the vital weeks of the season. MORE NEXT WEEK. (C) Billy Bingham, 1962. From- Soccer With The Stars," published by Stanley Paul & Co, Ltd, London W.1.

EVERTON RES V ASTON VILLA RES
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express - Saturday 01 December 1962
Everton Reserves;- Dunlop; Parnell, Green; Rees, Heslop, Sharples; Shaw, Tyrer, Wignall, Webber, D. McKenzie. Aston Villa Reserves; Sims; Lee, Biggs; Parker, Chatterley, Fellows; Fencott, Wylie, Trevis, McMoran, Ewing. Referee; Mr. I. Seddon (Leyland). Right from the start Everton went into the attack and within 10 minutes they were two goals up. At the fifth minute Webber received the ball which was bouncing awkwardly from out of a ruck of players. He edged goalkeeper Sims out of his way and put the ball in the net. At the 10th minute Shaw increased their lead. The pass from McKenzie to Shaw standing completely unmarked was hit straight at goalkeeper Sims who smothered the shot, but Shaw regained control of the ball and made no mistake. Everton continued with their pressure but gradually Chatterley and company discovered that the offside game would pay off and many moves by the Blue were spoilt. Twice Wignall had the ball in the net but was decreed off-side. Just on half-time Everton increased their lead when Webber receiving a pass from the right wing put a ground shot well clear of Sims. Half-time; Everton Res 3, Aston Villa nil.

EVERTON DEFENCE GOOD ENOUGH FOR DOUBLE
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, December 3 1962
MEAGAN SOARS TO NEW PINNACLE OF ACHIEVEMENT
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0, EVERTON 0
By Horace Yates
Let no one make any mistake-that point so courageously taken from Tottenham might well have a vital part to play in deciding this season's champions. Everton not only killed the idea that they could not do themselves justice in London, but maintained their two points lead at the head of the table, with one match fewer played at home than Spurs, and proved to be the first team good enough to shackle the most prolific scoring side in the country, now that, in my view, adds up to a most satisfactory afternoon's work and though there will be those, mainly Tottenham supporters, who will label the game a disappointment because two sides, which between them have scored 108 goals, could not produce one when they met, for me this was an absorbing game from first kick to last.
TERRIFIC OPENING
It is true that football was more fluid and full in incident in a terrific opening thirty minutes, when both sides probably had their best scoring chances, but even though there were no goals to allow the rival followers to express their emotions, but defensive battle was truly enthralling. One fact above all others emerged quite clearly- that Everton's defence is good enough to win the Cup and the League. The query may be in attack. To have the best figures on paper is very satisfying, but to see the defence in action, compact, sure and united, against possibly the threat of threats was the complete corroboration. Spurs will plead that things might have been different had not White and Medwin been forced to stand down, and of course, no team can remove two stars without leaving some scar, but it was Tottenham's choice that both half-backs and forwards were upset to repair purely forward damage. The longer the game progressed the more surely were attacks on both sides bogged down by the defences, and indeed, while Tottenham's dying onslaughts may have been the more numerous, Everton's occasional raids were probably the more troublesome. For example, it would not be easy to make out a case for labelling Blanchflower as the game's star, and yet he was the match-saver beyond a doubt. He it was who, at the precise fraction of a second, when all seemed lost, shot out an almost despairing leg, like the lick of a serpent's tongue to whip the ball from the foot of Vernon, bearing down in full flight with only Brown to oppose him.
REMARKABLE ESCAPES
There were some remarkable escapes and undoubtedly the nearest approach to a score came when Blanchflower pushed the ball hopefully to Greaves, and the England forward, turning and shooting almost simultaneously hit the cross bar. Many of the shooing and heading opportunities went to Jones, and while he may have been criticised for lack of accuracy, how many I wonder, appreciated that Jones was hurried into final action all the time by a defence which never stopped and never wavered. I was left with the impression almost all the time that if there was one man remotely capable of tearing a decisive hole in the defensive fabric it could only be Greaves, a player who requires less time to control and hit a ball than any man in the game. To suggest, because this possibility was apparent, that Gabriel was not doing his work, would be cruelly unfair to a man whose stout-hearted efforts were a feature and who was a regular bulwark against almost every threat of danger. Labone lighter by a stone than he was last season, is not only livelier for it, but too competent altogether for Allen to harbour any match winning ideas, and Harris, who took over the attacking link normally enjoyed by Gabriel when labouring under less exacting circumstances, completed a line whose unshakeable solidarity eventually killed the aspiration of their opponents.
MAGNIFICENT MEAGAN
Yet, if it were possible to bestow even greater praise on any man, it would be Meagan who would send one racing through a list of superlatives. At Tottenham he surpassed himself. Whether Clayton was just a makeshift deputy for Medwin or not we cannot tell, for such was the dominance of Meagan that Clayton never had a hope of registering. The Irishman read the game with superb judgement and without a doubt today Meagan is the best back on the Everton register. This was Meagan on a new peak and very formidable he looked, while Parker, who did not know until the last moment whether or not he was to play, did enough to satisfy manager Harry Catterick that his judgement had not been ill-founded. West, like Brown proved adequate for all demands. If I have conveyed the impression that the Everton forwards were for the most part unemployed, again it would be wrong, for when they were not hammering away at the Tottenham wall, back they came to add weight to the resistance movement, every man of them, and so it becomes possible to say- well played, the entire Everton team. Tottenham Hotspur; Brown; Baker, Henry; Blanchflower, Norman, Marchi; Clayton, Mackay, Allen, Greaves, Jones. Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall. Referee; Mr. P. Rhodes (York). Attendance 60,626

EVERTON TOO FAST FOR OPPONENTS
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, December 3, 1962
EVERTON RES 6 ASTON VILLA RES 1
A fast moving quick-tackling Everton Reserves side who kept up a terrific pace for the whole ninety minutes of this Central League game at Goodison Park never gave Aston Villa Reserves any chance, and could have doubted their tally if it had not been for goalkeeper Sims. Villa fought every inch of the way, but Heslop and company ruined any good moves with quick anticipation, and the resultant accurately placed forward passes threw Villa straight back on to the defensive. Led by Wignall, the Everton forwards snapped up the slightest chances, and within the first ten minutes were two goals up through Webber and young Shaw, who has great possibilities, and further goals came from Webber, Wignall and Sharples. Full back Lee headed into his own net for Everton's other goals. Villa's goal came from a penalty scored by McMorran, half way through the second half.

THIRTY MORE POINTS SHOULD GIVE EVERTON TITLE
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express - Monday 03 December 1962
By Horace Yates
There was not a man in the Everton party on Saturday who did not hail the point at Tottenham as a victors—and rightly so for if their belief is well founded that they can take two points from the return match, three points from four against your principal rivals for the title, is a most agreeable sort of achievement. That is the sort of target which manager Harry Catterick has in view. He believes that with thirty points earned from the remaining games (22 of them) the title will be Everton's. Last season Ipswich achieved the goal with 56 points, but the previous season Spurs collected 66. It is a fact; however that only four times in the 16 post-war seasons have the champions boasted a total of more than 60 points.
SPUND DEFENCE
That Everton are able to talk in this vein stems, I am sure, from confirmation at Tottenham of the belief that the Goodison team's defence, highly competitive though one position may be, is sound enough on which to build championship hopes. It brought the admirably depleted attack of Spurs, the most successful in the League, to manageable proportions and though the spectacle of their shooting stars securely countered at every turn, may have spoiled the afternoon's entertainment for a crowd accustomed to seeing their favourites score in every game; it also served to send Everton morale soaring high. Any Everton player will tell you that the team's worst performances this season have been at Fulham and Leyton, grounds on which defeats were incurred when away victories should have been most assured, and yet, at the greatest trial of strength, when obviously nothing but the best would be good enough, Everton conquered all thoughts of bogy and six seasons of depressing defeats at White Hart lane, to give the finest team display of the season. Although the emphasis was on defence, it has none the less a superb team showing, for in moments when attack was out of the question for them, the forwards hurried back to reinforce the rear-guard, and once the menace of a magnificent Greaves had been suitably curbed, I had no fears that Everton would not gain at least one point. Some there may have been who kept an anxious vigil on the fleeting minutes, but barring accidents, Tottenham had failed to continue as a really worrying proposition long enough before the anal whistle.
FORWARD NEEDED?
While Everton enjoyed their moments in attack, with the best opportunities falling to Vernon, Young and Stevens they were cancelled out by the sorties of the Tottenham forwards, none more threatening than that in which Greaves struck the crossbar with West beaten, but a more equitable result than a draw simply was not possible. I felt one qualm in adapting the lessons of thin game to a bit of crystal gazing into the future, and that was, for all the comfort brought about by figures which showed the Everton attack to be second best only to Spurs in scoring powers that the infusion of one tail powerful scoring forward into the line would consolidate the high hopes. Imagine a Peacock or a Kevan to take advantage of crosses which are coming over now to be picked off almost inevitably by a taller defence, so that it is not easy for wingers to decide on the most profitable approach. If such men were available I have little doubt that something positive would have been done about it before now, for it is no discovery that Everton do not thrive in aerial battles. This was an admirable opportunity to compare the respective merits of Labone, the man in possession of the England No. 5 spot, and Norman, the man he has displaced, and while the Spurs centre-half did everything asked of him in the role of stopper, as of course, did Labone, it was the Everton man's superior use of the ball after he had terminated attacks that opened up a gulf wide enough to suggest that if Norman is still Labone's biggest challenge for honours, then there is no end in sight yet to Brian's claim to recognition.
SOLID HALVES
Not for the first time the Everton half-back line, with Gabriel and Harris in peak form, was as solid as a rock in its resistance, and though Greaves came nearer cracking it than most individuals, even he lost heart and menace as he struggled in vain to shake off the man who could be his international opponent at Wembley a little later on. When every man plays his part so handsomely it is often unwise to heap just a little more glory on any individual, and yet without making special mention of the superlative show presented by Mick Meagan, justice would not be served. It was a brainwave of Mr Catterick in a moment of injury crisis last season that converted Meagan to full back and now there is not the slightest doubt that, useful though Meagan has been to Everton in his years at Goodison Park, he has never been the dominant individual he is to-day. I don't believe he put a foot wrong at White Hart Lane. Quiet and unobtrusive, he was wonderfully efficient. To go into a tackle meant to win it, and I know his colleagues will not feel in any way slighted if I go out of my way to pay tribute to a player who has truly found his feet. Parker, struggling for retention of his place in face of competition from Thomson, had a most unenviable task in having to face the restless, wandering Cliff Jones, but Parker played his part well.
CLEAN SHEET
For the second successive game West kept a clean sheet, and though he has a nasty thigh wound to remind him of one hectic moment around his goal, he did what he had to do efficiently and well. When safe handling was called for, West was equal to it. The Everton forwards could probably point to accomplishments as satisfying in defence as in attack, for it was no uncommon sight to see all of them in turn back in their own quarters lending assistance wherever it might be needed, but I think it would be a completely different proposition in a return match at Goodison. At Tottenham, Everton's concern was to take a point. At home they will want two - and is it unrealistic to suggest that those two may be more easily earned than was the one?
CUP TICKETS
ARRNAGEMENT FOR EVERTON TIE AT BARNSLEY
Everton's third round Cup-tie at Barnsley on January 5 will be all ticket. As the allocation of seats is very small, shareholders only will be able to apply. Tickets, restricted to one for each shareholder, are available, prices being 12s 6d (centre stand) and 8s (wing stands). Shareholders holding season tickets should send the third round Cup tie voucher with cash and stamped addressed envelope not later than December 20. Other tickets available without restriction are terrace and paddock 5s (boys 2s 6d), ground 4s (Boys 2s), kop 3s 6d. Priority will be given to all season ticket holders if they enclose the third round voucher with their application. All application by post must contain a stamped addressed envelope. Tickets will not be available for personal application for at least a week and a further announcement will be made later.

MORRISSEY AND TEMPLE RECOVERING
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express - Monday 03 December 1962
EVERTON YOUTH TEAM
By Leslie Edwards
Good news of two Everton invalids, John Morrissey and Derek Temple. Morrissey, out of the game for some weeks with a troublesome pulled thigh muscle, is much better and may be in action again within the next week or two. Temple, who has also appeared on the left wing, is doing light remedial exercises following a cartilage operation. He has played only two games this season, but is expected to be fit shortly after Christmas. Ten Liverpool-born players are in the Everton youth team which meets Huddersfield at Goodison Park tomorrow in the F.A Youth Cup competition (7 p.m.) Everton; Hulhearn; Harcombe, Coxan; Hurst, Smith, Coupe; Shaw, Harvey, Glover, Wright, Roberts.

WELL, ARE WE SMUG?
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express - Monday 03 December 1962
Mr. G. Dobson, writing from 5 Hill House Road, Norway, says; "How smug are we in Liverpool about the support we afford our two soccer teams? When you consider the population available for them to draw on for support, the figures are dreadful in competition with many other clubs, (I must add that I am only temporarily resident in Norwich. I returned home to Liverpool on Saturday via the Spurs v.. Everton game). "Let us make three assumptions; (a) that the average crowds at Everton and Liverpool are respectively 50,000 and 40,000 (total 90,000); (b) that entirely different people watch our two teams from week to week (i.e., that the same fans do not go to Liverpool and Everton (c) that none of these 90,000 are supporters of our opponents. "You will agree that these are generous assumptions to Everton and Liverpool. Let us now consider the local team here, Norwich City. Last season their average gate was about 19,000. Not much perhaps? "But compare now the populations of the two areas. Like Liverpool and especially Everton who get coach loads of supporters from North Wales, the Wirral and Lancashire, and even boat loads from Ireland, Norwich get a few coach loads from the country districts around the city. We can assume that these cancel each other out for the purposes of the comparison and again we are being generous to the city of Liverpool. "The population of Norwich is 120,000-a total of 160,000 maximum when we include the surrounding suburbs outside the boundary. There are no "dormitory" towns around Norwich. Liverpool's population is about 800,000. And on the surrounding suburbs, and Bootle, Kirkby, Netherton &c., and the dormitory towns like Formby, Hoylake, West Kirby, Heswall, &c., plus the folk from Birkenhead, Wallasey and New Brighton, and the population is increased to, shall we say, 150,000. (A conservative estimate, if anything). "Now one has only to look at these figures to see that, despite the generosities in favour of Liverpool and district, Norwich City get far better support, in comparison, by themselves than the total support of Everton and Liverpool! By simple maths 19,000 over 160,000 x 100 equals 11.88 per cent, of the population regularly supports the local club. But only 90,000 over 1,500,000 x 10 equals 6 per cent, of Liverpool's population watch their local club. And Norwich fans watch only a moderately successful, middle of that table Second Division team, not two First Division teams, one at the top of the table and the other soon to be second! "Remember, Norwich has not another Second Division team within over 100 miles. Everton and Liverpool have at least twelve Division I teams plus one another, within this distance. I have met many Norwich fans who this season have travelled as far as Preston, Newcastle and Chelsea to see their team. Population percentage-wise, our two senior clubs do not get such away support, at this distance. However, despite the foregoing, I am still a loyal Evertonian, and hope the Norwich fans do not get hold of these figures! I've been telling them for weeks what a poor ground, crowd, team and vocal support they have (although in fact I consider they do quite well in all these respects!).

A THEME AND ON EPITAPH
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express - Monday 03 December 1962
Two followers of Everton from Childwall add their wonderment to mine that Everton's Z-cars theme has not sounded before the last two home games. Ironically, after it had been played for the first seven or eight home matches, it was left out on the very day when the late Mr. Leonard Williams of Twentyman fame was a guest of the club, only three or four days before he died.
The club say there was no official adoption of the tune and that it has not been stopped for any special reason. As one who counted Twentyman and his Liverpudlian cracks as the most authoritative mirror of football fans in this city it mightn't be a bad idea to adopt the Z-Cars drums and fifes and commemorate one of the city's notable sons. What do you think?

LIVERPOOL AND EVERTON SCOUTS
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express –Tuesday December 4, 1962
SEE PARTRICK-CELTIC MATCH
MANAGER'S TRIP
By Leslie Edwards
Liverpool and Everton were both represented last night at the Patrick Thistle v. Celtic won 3-1, Everton's emissary was their chief scout, Harry Cook. Everton Manager, Harry Catterick, will be in Aberdeen tomorrow evening for the Scotland v. Wales Under-23's match in which Gabriel and Green, two of his defenders appear on opposite sides. Neil McBain, the old Everton and Liverpool centre half back has been on a flying visit to relatives in Neston. He went back to his home in Ayr without having opportunity to visit old friends at Anfield and Goodison Park.
BLOW FOR SPURS
John White Misses Ibrox Match
Tottenham's Scottish international inside right, John White, will not to be fit to play against Glasgow Rangers at Ibrox Park, tomorrow, in the return leg of the European Cup Winners tie. White has not recovered sufficiently from a feverish chill which kept him out of the game against Everton at White Hart Lane, on Saturday. Terry Medwin, who also had to stand down in the Everton game because of a stomach muscle strain, is fit. Spurs won the first tie 5-2.

YOUTH CUP
Liverpool Daily Post –Wednesday December 5, 1962
GLOVER HITS THREE FOR EVERTON
EVERTON 6 HUDDERSFIELD 0
By Paul O'Brien
Everton joined Liverpool in the draw for the third round of the F.A Youth Cup with this victory at a mist-shrouded Goodison Park last night. This mist was so thick that for most of the match it was impossible to follow play on the far side of the pitch from the Press box, but there appeared to be very few flaws in this Everton team. Full backs Harcombe and Coxon rarely let the Huddersfield wingers get into a position to threaten danger, while the half back line of Hurst, Smith and Coupe had the opposing inside trio bottled up. Inside right Harvey did most of the scheming for the Everton attack, and his wing partner Shaw responded magnificently. Glover, who scored three of Everton's goals, showed that he has lost little of the touch which gave him the Liverpool Schoolboys scoring record last season, while Wright at inside left, proved to be a strong player with a shot in either foot. Glover scored the first goal after seventeen minutes pushing the ball home from six yards out following a fine run by Shaw. Five minutes later Glover was again on hand to finish off a neat piece of play by Wright with a shot from ten yards and two minutes later Wright burst through in the middle of the field to score. Glover turned a neat centre by Roberts into the near corner for Everton's fourth goal at 65 minutes, then at the 80th minute another typical burst by Wright produced Everton's fifth. The scoring was completed a minute from time when Harvey volleyed the ball home from twenty yards.

EVERTON IN NORTH WALES
Liverpool Daily Post- Wednesday, December 5, 1962
By Horace Yates
With one eye on their position as League leaders and the other on the forthcoming F.A Cup match at Barnsley, the Everton club have decided that this week-end after the home game with West Ham United, the players will go to Llandudno for a few days change of atmosphere. They will return on Tuesday. I think the choice of Llandudno is a departure for the club. Previously Blackpool has been an automatic choice, not only with Everton but with many other clubs as well. It may be that Llandudno will give a greater degree of privacy and a quiet preparation for the tasks ahead will be guaranteed.
Also seeing the same game (Celtic v Patrick Thistle) was Mr. Harry Cook, Everton's chief scout, but here again quite naturally of course, there is no sort of hint from manager Harry Catterick as to why he should have detailed the covering of this particular game.

EVERTON IMPRESS IN YOUTH CUP WIN
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 05 December 1962
By Paul O'Brien
Everton made an impressive debut in this season's F.A. Youth Cup when they ran out 6-0 winners over Huddersfield in the second round match at Goodison Park last night. Everton had been exempt until this stage of the competition. Mist hung over Goodlion throughout, although it did lift a little and enable most of the spectators to see the three goals which came in a 10 minute spell midway through the first half. At other times, however, it was impossible to see what was happening on the far side of the pitch and one had to rely on the reactions of the spectators behind the Gwladys Street goal to indicate what was going on at that end. They seemed to show that during the last 15 minutes of the first half,
Huddersfield had some very narrow escapes. Huddersfield, who was delayed by fog on the way and did not arrive until 15 minutes before the kick off, showed, little indication in the opening stages that their journey had had any adverse effects, but when the powerful Everton boys really got going them was only one result possible.
STRENGTH IN DEFENCE
Everton's strong-point is reputed to be the attack, but on last night's performance there is strength in defence, also, for goalkeeper Mulhearn did not have a real shot to deal with throughout. In attack, many of Everton's best moves came from the all - professional right wing of Stuart Shaw and Colin Harvey, both players of Central League experience. Shaw had too much speed for Huddersfield's left back, Brockley, while Harvey got through a tremendous amount of work and capped a fine display by scoring from 20 yards in the last minute. Gerry Glover showed, by scoring three of Everton's goals that he is as much at home in youth football as he was last season in the schoolboy game, while the other two goals came from inside - left Tommy Wright, who showed a welcome flair for finding the open spaces. Tommy Roberts, a seedy left winger, completed the Everton attack, but after a promising first half he saw little of the ball after the interval. The match was watched by 1,950 spectators, who must have been well pleased with Everton's along - the - ground type of football in a game excellently controlled by Mr. H. Vickers, of Crewe.

FOR THE RECORD
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 05 December 1962
An imaginary conversation between two Tranmere fans on Saturday (one of them clearly Mr. M. A. Tickle, of, Southfield road, Liverpool 9) went like this:—
Fan No. I: "Smashing game. Three lovely goals from Hickson, eh?"
Fan No. 2: "Not half. Mind you, I've seen him score some other good 'uns. But the funny thing is Michael Charters wrote last week that Hickson would play deep, giving the chances to Manning. He's done that, and still scored five goals in two games himself."
No. 1"Ah It's a good job Dave Russell took no notice of the sceptics and signed him. But it's strange that we don't seem to move up the table even with all the points and goals we've been getting lately." No. 2: "Oh, well, that's easy explain. Hickson was unfit for the first five games and we scored only four goals and got only one point.
No. 1: "I see. So really this revivals only been going on since Hickson was in the team?"
No. 2: "You can look at the figures for that answer. With Hickson in the team they've played 14 games, scored 35 goals (2 ½ per game) and picked up 17 points. Hickson's had 11 goals himself."
No. 1: "My word, I didn't think he'd done that well."
No. 2: "Oh yes, and he's scored three goals in two away cup-ties!"
No. 1: It's easy to see who is the main force behind Tranmere then. Mind you, I've never followed football much until last year and I didn't think he was so good. Used to play for Everton, too, didn't he?" No. 2: "Play for them?—Ha! That's an understatement if ever I heard one. He took them to the semi-final almost on his own in 1953—scored the winner in three of four games."
No. 1:"I953—As long ago as that?"
No. 2: "Yes, this is Hickson's twelfth season of League football. He's been to six League clubs, and fetched £60,000 in transfer fees."
No. 1:"Hickson was with Everton when they were promoted then?"
No. 2: "Yes, I remember seeing him score five goals against Sheffield Wednesday in a reserve match on August 29, 1951. Harry Catterick, manager of Everton now, had started the season as centre forward, and he was dropped for Hickson. The season after was the good Cup run, and the next, his third season, Everton were promoted."
ONE A TIME IN CUP TIES
No.1;"Did he score many goals that season?"
No.2; "He scored 24 and three in the Cup-in fact he's scored an average of over one goal per game in all the cup-ties he's played, John Willie Parker was leading scorer that season, and I'll always remember him writing an article at the beginning of the next season. It was called 'How I score my goals,' The first sentence was 'Dave Hickson gives them to me."
No.1;" What sort of shape did he make at his other clubs?"
No.2; "At Villa he played only nine games, scoring one goal, but he never had the same inside forward two matches running. He went to Huddersfield in November, 1955, just before he was married. Town had eight points from 16 games and were bottom of the First Division. They still went down, but it was only on goal average, and Hickson scored five goals in his last four matches. He was leading scorer the next season, too, and 1957 close season came back to Everton."
No.1; "But he didn't stay long, did he?"
No.2; "Well, two and a bit seasons. Do you know he's the only man to be leading scorer for Everton one season ('1958-59) and the leading scorer for Liverpool the next? He scored fewer goals than Roger Hunt for Liverpool, but his six goals for Everton made him top scorer."
No 1; "Thanks very much for the lesson but I'm not too interested in his past. All I want him to do is see Chelsea of!"
No 2.: "Oh. He'll do that alright, mate."
No 1; "See you then, eh?"

EVERTON WOULD HAVE WON TITLE WITH THIS SEASON'S START
Liverpool Daily Post- Thursday December 6, 1962
By Horace Yates
If Everton had only fared as successfully to this stage last season as they have done this they and not Ipswich Town would be flying the championship flag! At the end of the programme Ipswich were a mere five points superior to Everton. In twenty games played to date, Everton's record is six points better than over the comparative period of season 1961-62. While there is every reason for optimism that this really is going to be Everton's year a conclusion arrived at as much from an assessment of ability as a comparison of records, it might be as well to add the note of caution that Burnley also boasted a 30 point return from 20 games, and yet were pipped on the post by Ipswich. Now Ipswich at that time had collected only 25 points one more than Everton and five less than Burnley, from a similar number of games.
AWAY POINTS
Everton have only to score another three points on opponents ground to draw level with their yield from 21 games last term, and obviously it is the reawakening to the realisation that points really are available for collection away from home that has brought about the real improvement in Everton's fortunes. It is rather remarkable that with the first eleven games played at Goodison last season 18 points had been won, while this season the home yield is also 18 points-from one fewer match. Scoring records do not vary much but where they do the improvement is emphasised. The comparisons are 41 goals for and 25 against last season and 46 for with 22 against this campaign. More than a third of Everton's opponents have failed to score against them! By this time, one is often struggling to find ever-present in a side but more first team players have figured in every game so far than have blanks in their records. West, Labone, Harris, Bingham, Stevens, and Young have answered the call in every game, while Young has missed only one match and Gabriel two. To this date last season only Dunlop, Thomson and Gabriel boasted an unbroken sequence.
TICKET FEVER
Cup fever is beginning to mount, although January 5 is still a long way ahead, for from Barnsley last night, I learned that the club had received postal applications for 15,500 tickets for the tie with Everton. Secretary Mr. Raymond Vicary, said; "Many of these are block application from works." An interesting sidelight from the Goodison end of the Cup ticket queue is that 500 tickets have been requested by supporters in Ireland. Even before the distribution gets under way it is obviously that Everton could it allowed fill the Barnsley ground with their own followers. It is illuminating to list the attendance at grounds which Everton have visited and compare them with the crowds for the opposing team's following home games. In most cases, obviously the attendance figure are inflated by the vast Everton following and in others the attractiveness of the side packs in some of the biggest crowds of the season. Let us consider the visits Everton have paid this season. We start at Burnley where the gate was 36,106 compared with 26,989 for the visit of Bolton in the next match. At Manchester United the figure were 63,431 against 19,847 for Birmingham's visit. Everton at Fulham 30,582 (31,442 v Arsenal). At Leyton in mid-week 21,756 (20,125 v. Sheffield Wednesday on a Saturday, at Bolton 27,239 (16,572 v. Arsenal) at Wolves 44,506 (30,000 v Birmingham), at Manchester City 40,336 (21,053 v. Leicester), at Nottingham 31,607 in mid-week (24,804 v Arsenal on Saturday); at Blackburn 30,243 (15, 400 in previous match with Arsenal); at Spurs 60,626 (42,390 in previous match with Sheffield Wednesday). If figures don't lie then Everton are doing all right.
LAVERICK MOVING
Former Everton winger Bobby Laverick, who joined Coventry City four months ago from Brighton, for £2,500, has been told by manager Jimmy Hill that he is prepared to let the player move. Laverick has asked for a transfer as he was unable to command a first team place due to the fine form of eighteen-year-old Ronnie Rees, who last night played for the Wales under-23 team.

ROY VERNON SAYS...
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday December 7, 1962
A 5S 2D TALK EARNED US A VITAL POINT
I have had no complaints from Everton supporters because we took only one point at Tottenham –and frankly I did not expect any. That does not mean that it was the limit of our ambitions for there were times during the game, even to the last few minutes when I thought we might win, and maybe I am just the slightest bit biased but I thought we had as god chances to score as Tottenham. I'll let you into a secret. During a ten-minute team talk in our hotel before the game our manager Mr. Harry Catterick dug into his pocket and produced two pennies and two half crowns and, with these to represent players our successful defences scheme was devised. You might say then that it cost five shillings and two-pence to win the point, but that would not be strictly true, for I saw Mr. Catterick pick up his money when the lesson was over." Without giving too much of the game away our idea was for the full backs to play somewhat squarer than usual and the half backs deeper. When any of the forwards were beaten for possession, they shared back, put to impede the work of our defence, but merely to keep in front of the man with the ball to make shooting at goal so much more difficult. It was a plan which worked beautifully, for the Tottenham boys hardly ever got really close to goal.
NOT DISAPPOINTED
I admit I was not the least bit disappointed when heard that in addition to Medwin, John White was not playing for in this game you have to take you, lick as you find it, and I also confess that when I knew that Spurs had attempted to solve the dilemma by playing Mackay as White's substitute I was quite pleased, for I felt that a fist class half back hardly posed anything like the same problem as a forward. I think Spurs might have been more formidable with Smith as leader of the attack and Allen at inside forward, but why should I worry over Tottenham's team selection problems? For Jimmy Greaves I have always had a professional respect and admiration, for in my eyes he is one of the really top notch forwards in the game, and yet on Saturday, I found even my high opinion of him soaring. No was all that I expected him to be as a striker, easily the most dangerous man in Tottenham's ranks, but in the absence of White he showed too that he is no mean schemer. Some people were against at the announcement that Tottenham were to pay £100,000 for the signing of Greaves, but it undoubtedly one of the shrewdest moves it was possible to make. Just take Greaves out of the Tottenham forward line and examine the position. Without a doubt talent remains but without him I do not think for one moment Spurs would be our principal rivals for the championship or that they would be so full of confidence in their hopes of winning the Cup for the third time in succession.
WHAT ABOUT US?
It is amazing to us at Everton to read some of the critics who are so downhearted that Tottenham and Burnley are to meet in the third round. They are referred to as the game's outstanding teams who would make a perfect Wembley pairing. Don't think we are jealous but might I ask, what about Everton? Here we are at the top of the League conquerors of Burnley at Turf Moor and winners of a point at Tottenham, triumphant on the grounds of the other leading teams, with the exception of Leicester and Aston Villa. Those could well be the toughest games of our remaining programme, but we are confident that if we can only do as well in the rest of the season as we have to-date that elusive title will be ours. Nobody expected when Johnny Morrissey had to drop out with an injury a few weeks ago that it would keep him out of action for so long, but it has proved very troublesome. I was glad this week to see him able to under-take some light training. Derek Temple is out and about again after his knee operation. What an unlucky season that has been for him. He deserves a break in his luck as anybody does.

EVERTON'S TIP-TOP TIP-UPS
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, December 7, 1962
By Horace Yates
Not for the first time Everton are setting an example to the rest of the football world, the sort of consideration for spectators which has made their ground an automatic choice for the 1966 World Cup games, for before the end of the season every seat in their four double decker stands will be of the tip-up variety. At present many of them are simply forms. The task of conversion can be undertaken only in stages, because the old seats cannot be ripped out until the new ones are ready be substituted, and because of the disruption that would be caused. The plan which has already started is to convert convenient sections between home games. Tomorrow for the first time there will be new seats in the stand section flanked on one side by the directors' box and on the other by the Press box. The Gwladys Street goal stand portions of the Bullens Road stands are already equipped. The Everton ground, a standing tribute to its planners has no superior in the country and this latest step, one of several improvements which the club have in mind, will merely serve to increase the lead. Undoubtedly the fact that one World Cup games will be played at Goodison has accelerated the stand improvements. Also taken into account is the fact that in almost every game all stand seats are occupied throughout the season, so that the opportunity to give regular patrons a little added comfort has been seized.
BYRNE INCLUDED
There is no reason to expect any changes in the Everton side to receive West ham but the Londoners may bring back centre forward Johnny Byrne who has missed the last three matches. He is named by manager Ron Greenwood among six forwards and final selection may be swayed by ground conditions. West Ham United;- Standen; Kirkup, Burkett; Peters, Brown, Moore; (from) Brabrook, Boyce, Sealey, Byrne, Hurst, Scott.
PADDOCK TICKETS
As announced all stand seats for next week's home game with Burnley have been sold. Paddock tickets at 43 6d each will be available at the paddock turnstiles tomorrow until 1.45 p.m. unless previously sold out. Any surplus paddock tickets from Monday onwards can be obtained from the club offices or Messrs Jack Sharp Ltd. Supporters in the Birkenhead area may get them from Richard Baker and Baker estate agents, opposite Hamilton Square station, Birkenhead, who will also have tickets available for personal applicants for future matches including that on Boxing Day against Arsenal at 8s each.
McBAIN TAKES OVER AT AYR
Neil McBain the former Scottish international half back, was yesterday appointed manager of the Scottish second division club. Ayr United. He succeeds George Mays who resigned on Tuesday. McBain a former Ayr, Manchester United and Everton player has previously been manager of Ayr.

DENIS STEVENS SEEKS HUNDREDTH GOAL TODAY
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday, December 7, 1962
WEST HAM UNLIKELY TO BE FIRST TEAM TO WIN AT GOODISON
By Horace Yates
I don't suppose even Denis Stevens, Everton's beaver-like inside right, is aware of the fact that if he scores against West Ham United at Goodison Park today it will represent something much more than a sequence of four goals in six games, for he will be chalking up his hundredth goal in League football, for Bolton Wanderers and Everton combined. To reach this total he has played in 305 games and no wonder he is not in the least superstitious about thirteen, for it is a remarkable fact that his total in each of three successive seasons was thirteen. It would have been four seasons too had not Denis wrecked the sequence by scoring a fourteenth goal in the following season. You can look to Stevens then to be chasing that three-figure total today. There are no worries about the condition of the ground which seems certain to be in very good order, for a game which brings us to the season's half-way stage.
WIN IN A CANTER?
On the face of it, Everton should win in a canter for the Londoners can show only one victory in their last eight matches but it is fair to add, that in only in three of them have they been beaten, and they enjoy the curious record of having won more games away than at home. None of this, of course, should worry Everton in the least for a less likely looking team to take away that unbeaten home certificate could hardly be imagined. Just to upset any sign of complacency, however, let me add that the Hammers beat Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in their last away fixture and will be looking for another sizeable scalp to hang alongside that. It might be unwise to expect Everton to sail home on a goal flood (although I do expect to see them coast home without undue difficulty), for West Ham have conceded only fifteen goals in ten away games, six of them in the last three. As a matter of interest, only Everton and Spurs can show figures to beat those! Home games are now vitally important for Everton. They must continue winning these clashes to make the task away from home somewhat less exacting. The first result Everton supporters will want to hear after the final whistle at Goodison will be that of Bolton and Tottenham, for Spurs; are by no means assured of beating the Burnden Park side, so that there is a very real-possibility that Everton may open the gap at the top of the gap at the top of the table just a little bit wider.
BRABROOK HERE
Johnny Byrne may or may not play, but he has hardly been like success expected since stepping up into the First Division and the man more likely to give Everton most trouble is that very talented half-back Bobby Moore, current choice for England and both good enough and young enough to command international attention for a long time. Brabrook has cropped up in Everton calculations more than once, and had he so wished he could have been on the opposite side to today. Everton with a clean bill of health have wisely left well alone. Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall. West Ham United; Standen; Kirkup, Burkett; Peters, Brown, Moore; (from) Brabrook, Boyce, Sealey, Byrne, Hurst, Scott.

KIRKBY V. EVERTON?
Liverpool Echo - Friday 07 December 1962
IT COULD HAPPEN SOME DAY
By George Harrison
It could happen, of course. There could come the day, sometime in the unforeseeable future, when a football team representing Kirkby, that brisk, fast-moving town on Liverpool's outskirts, became as well-known as Everton or any other of the big names of the Football League. With a population already of around 60,000, growing with almost every month that passes, Kirkby –which , as most of you will know, is Newtown of the "Z" Cars, television series- is beginning of speculate about a sports and soccer stadium. The Council, I am told, has its eyes on just the place for it. Don't scoff at the prospect of a Kirkby Newton United or some such named team one day marching to Wembley. Every major club of to-day had its origins in small beginnings, and Kirkby is better off than most. It is a town with an overwhelming drive and enthusiasm for whatever it undertaken and these are the assets sometimes underestimated by older and more staid places, I find. Which brings me back to football. Only a matter of four months ago, I mentioned here that Kirkby planned to launch its own soccer League. One competition would be made up of inter-street teams of boys, the other would be a senior League for older players, called, sensibly enough, Kirkby Newtown Football League. In the short space of time since then, the two tournaments have got well under way and are running well, backed by enthusiastic support from many of the townsfolk.
INTER-CITY CLASH WITH BIRMINGHAM
This week-end Kirkby's two representative teams, junior and senior, are to have their first inter-city match. Their opponents will be selected teams representing the powerful Coronation League of Birmingham. The two matches will be staged on Kirkby's present ground at broad Lane- which may one day he the site of the stadium that they are dreaming about –and I feel that it is such a mighty important milestones in the sporting history of this young borough that I ought to place on record the names of the players who will be "capped" for Kirkby. Their young inter-streets X! against Birmingham's jurvenile league line-up will be; Heneghan (Quarry Green Rangers); Bridgeman (Cheeryfield), Abbott (Bolton); McDonald (Cherryfield Drive), King (Bolton), Hayde (Wingate Rover); Morris (Wingate) Brown (Cherryfield Drive), Jocking (Cherryfield Drive), Cattrall (Quarry Green) and Grocott (Quarry Green). And the senior side, representing Kirkby Newtown League, will comprise; Kavanagh (Huyton); Keating (Highfield), Dunne (R.A.F.A); Whelan (Redhill), O'Neill (Kirkby Town), Doyle (Kirkby Town); Ellis (Western) Phillips (Old Kirkby Casuals), Pickering (Kirkby Town), McKeuwn )Highfield) and Kelly (Southdane). Among the senior line-up for Birmingham Coronation League, I notice the name of outside left Jack Waterhouse. This player, from the wing, scored 49 goals for his club, Edgbaston, last season and looks like beating this record this term. He will require some watching.

NOW THEY CAN GO OUT AFTER GOALS AGAIN
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express –Friday, December 7, 1962
By Leslie Edwards
One of the finest wing half backs in football, Bobby Moore, comes to Goodison Park tomorrow. A lethargic-booking mover he lapes an enormous amount of ground in the course of a game and has the authority, over ball and opponents, of a Joe Mercer. It will be interesting to see how he compares for success and style with Everton's Gabriel and Harris. Of these Harris, I think, is probably one of the most under-estimated men in League football. He rarely plays an indifferent game; frequently has a brilliant one. West Ham, now minus the former Bangor University boy, Woosnam, whose arrival at Villa set the Midlands alight, are a very useful side. Johnny Byrne, whom they signed from Crystal Palace has not done as well as one anticipated, but he is a slick, shrewd mover. Ironically he might easily have been an Everton player in the management days of John Carey. Liverpool had to struggle to beat West Ham at Anfield. At Upton Park they had been beaten by the only goal. Everton's settled team, which goes off to Llandudno for a few days' holiday immediately after the game, should retain or even increase their grip on the leadership. It is to be hoped the "bone" will have gone out of the pitch at Goodison Park so that we may get the kind of football we are used to and not freakish stuff on an iron-hard surface. West Ham's defensive technique is an unusual one with defence in depth the aim, but Everton after using the same gambit against Spurs in London and now ready to come out of their shell and go for goals- and think they'll get them. West Ham United;- Standen; Kirkup, Burkett; peters, brown, Moore; forwards from Brabrook, Boyce, Sealey, Byrne, Hurst, Scott.

EVERTON ARE AT FULL STRENGTH
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Friday December 7 1962
By Leslie Edwards
Everton announce an unchanged team for the big game against West Ham, at Goodison Park, tomorrow. Gabriel, returned from Aberdeen, where he played for the Scottish under-23 side, is fit. Manager Harry Catterick feels that West Ham, with many up-and-coming young men in their team, will pose a stiff test for his side. Sixteen Everton players go to Llandudno immediately after the game for a few days holiday. They will not kick a ball during their stay but will have some walks. They return to Liverpool on Tuesday afternoon. Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall.

BRABROOK POSES A MAJOR PROBLEM
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express –Saturday, December 8 1962
WINGER EVERTON WANTED PLAYS AT GOODISON
By Leslie Edwards
Peter Brabrook, the speedy West Ham right winger, will pose a major problem to Everton back, Mick Meagan, this afternoon. Brabrook has always performed well at Goodison Park and Anfield and it was no surprise last close season when Everton went all out to sign him from Chelsea. Brabrook came to Merseyside to confer with Mr. Catterick, then went back home and said he'd prefer to stay in the South. He was signed some weeks later West Ham. Meagan is the thoughtful type whose "reading" of the game and of opponents' intentions is always excellent. But whether he will be able to stop Brabrook in full cry is a matter for doubt. West Ham hope to play the former Crystal Palace, forward Johnny Byrne, the brains of the attack now that Phil Woosnam has moved to Aston Villa, but when the team was named it was doubtful whether he would appear. In half back strength Everton's opponents are stronger than most. Moore is an England player; Peters is one of the up-and-coming Young England men. It was West Ham (captained, as I recall it, by the father of Leyton Orient's present centre half-back, Bishop) who were the last stepping-stone Everton trod on their way to Wembley when last they won the Cup. This memorable game was at Wolverhampton. Everton's share of the points in London delighted their followers. They set out their policy succeeded. Today they will be reverting to the normal, open game with their forwards going after the goals. It looks like being an attractive match and now the frost has almost disappeared the going should be normal.
EARNED A REST
Everton go off to Llandudno immediately after the game for a few days rest and relaxation. They've certainly earned it. The team for today's match could not be selected until Mr. Catterick knew that Gabriel, engaged in mid-week in Scotland in an Under-23 match, was fit. The Everton manager has high regard for the West Ham team "on paper," He says they look a pretty formidable side. He thinks his own team will be fully tested. West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall. West Ham United; Standen; Kirkup, Burkett; Peters, Brown, Moore; Brabrook, Boyce, Sealey, Byrne, Hurst, Scott.

ATHALFWAY IT'S STILL EVERTON ON TOP
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, December 10, 1962
ALEX YOUNG DID NOT DESERVED TO BE MATCH WINNER
EVERTON 1, WEST HAM UNITED 1
By Horace Yates
Everton wound up the first half of the season with their most disappointing display at Goodison Park, and yet there will be few complaints if at the close of the campaign they are then where they are now- at the top of the League, two points clear of all competitors. Maybe it was because we have had so much to thrill us that Saturday's offering proved the more unappetising. Last week we were hailing a draw against one London side as a performance of which to be proud. Now, a similar division of points against another London side, sent some misguided spectators (I prefer that word in their case rather than supporters) into a rash of slow hand clapping and boos as the players, who have given them so much pleasure in this noteworthy season, trooped off the field.
THIS IS FOOTBALL
Disappointed everybody must have been with a team which rarely looked like doing itself justice, but I wager that the grief of the crowd at the unexpected loss of a home point, was as nothing compared with the sorrow of the players. Yet, surely this is football. No team, however great, can be at peak performance in match after match all the time. We should give credit to West Ham perpetually struggling for points, for a fighting display which completely disrupted Everton's normally easy rhythm. Had Everton's lapse afflicted them not this week but next week, when Burnley, now their chief challengers, are at Goodison Park, the wound would undoubtedly have gone deeper. No team could ever have been presented with a later or more inviting opportunity to redeem themselves, at least so far as the result is concerned, than were Everton in those final seconds when Veall's shot came back from a post straight to the feet of Young, no more than five or six yards out of goal. A cool head and a controlled prod must have scored, but Young lashed at the ball and wildly skied it over the cross-bar. While Everton may have contributed more attack than West ham, I believe that a goal at that stage would have been a cruel injustice to the Londoners, and probably most of all to goalkeeper Standen, whose sure fielding and remarkable anticipation had been glittering features in an accomplished defence.
NOT ONLY SINNER
Moreover, it was poetic justice that Young should not bring down on himself hero worship, such as a winning goal might have produced, for this was surely Alec's least effective display in front of the Everton crowd, and I do not forget those early artistic touches of his. He was not the only sinner, for before the end I found myself placing more reliance on the work of Veall's than any member of the attack, in which Stevens worked as enthusiastically as ever and had the satisfaction of scoring his hundredth goal in League football. Everton followers may claim that in spite of everything their team would have won had they not suffered the misfortune of seeing a movement sparkled off by Moore and carried on by Boyce and Scott, result in Byrne's shot striking Harris in the face and being deflected to an unmarked Brabrook, for the equaliser. That is sure if we overlook the fact that Everton's goal also resulted from a deflection of Veall's shot, which put the ball at Stevens' feet except that, so quickly did the defence recover that it was only the speedy reaction of Stevens that produced the goal. For the most part West Ham played the 4-2-4 formation, although they varied it at will, and although Everton have previously punched holes and goals in this strategy on Saturday it had them fumbling and bungling likes novices meeting a new situation for the first time. Even the Everton half back line, so often the rock on which opposition attacks have perished, and frequently the starting point of offensive designs, was strangely struggling. Labone, although slipping once in twice, was still a source of great strength but neither Gabriel nor Harris could impose their will as effectively as usual. For all that, it was a shot from thirty yards range which brought one of the finest saves of the day from Standen, and yet how much more meritorious was this than West's save from Kirkup, while Sealey intelligently stood out of play as insurance against offside during a sustained offensive? When we are discussing extraordinary chance sight should not be lost of that which fell to Byrne from a corner kick when he fired directly at West. No, in my view West Ham took advantage of Everton's off day to celebrate with a point which they never expected, but which they richly deserved. Meagan was again the superior Everton back and which a sub-normal label is being attached to the form rating of most Everton players there is no justification for attaching one to the Irishman, while it would be unfair to saddle West with any criticism. I don't know if the crowd were waiting for the players to rouse them or vice versa but only on the rarest occasions did we hear the sustained chant which has grown with Everton this season. Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon (captain), Veall. West Ham United; Standen; Kirkup, Birkett, Peters, Brown; Moore, Brabrook, Boyce, Sealey, Byrne, Scott. Referee; Mr. A.W Lucy (Leeds). Attendance 38,701

BARNSLEY RES 0 EVERTON RES 4
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday December 10 1962
Everton Reserves playing a smarter brand of football, completely outplayed Barnsley Reserves outplayed Barnsley Reserves who could not match them for speed and skill in this Central League match at Barnsley. The Everton forwards always looked dangerous and with a little more luck they could have easily doubled the score. Their double centre forward play, of Wignall and Webber completely baffled the inexperienced Barnsley defence. Wignall scored two goals in the 16th and 63rd minutes and Webber got the other two in the 30th and 31st minutes.

EVERTON MANAGER'S DENIALS
Liverpool Daily Post – Monday December 10 1962
By Horace Yates
During the course of the season particularly Everton have been credited with an interest in one quarter or another, in sufficient international to make up nearly two complete sides. Manager Harry Catterick has become increasingly cross, disassociating his club with fictitious excursions into the transfer market and last night he strenuously denied a reported current interest in leading players. He told me, "Everton deplore reports associating it with players who are not transfer-listed. Such reports can do nothing but harm, not only to Everton, but to other clubs who may be mentioned. "While Everton are always interested in top class players who are available for transfer the continued linking of our name with notable players is just fantastic."

THE WORST OF ALEX YOUNG'S NIGHTMARE
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Monday December 10 1962
By Leslie Edwards
The worst of a nightmare is always the last bit which awakens you. Alex Young, the Everton centre forward knows this to his cost. The final agony of his nightmare against West Ham United at Goodison Park- a shot slashed over the bar from three yards range! –awakened him to the realisation that some of the mild slow hand-clapping and jeering which broke out as the players left the field may have bene for him. My own reading of the demonstration was that, frustrated by Young's classic last minute miss fans were not letting West Ham leave before telling them what they thought of their slavish tactics- policy which made the contest virtually a game of Everton attack and West Ham defence for the whole of the 90 minutes. If spectators were so angry with Young they were prepared to barrack him, then I'm sorry and surprised. For a man who has given such pleasure to followers of Everton, week after week, to be even mildly barracked because he has had "one of those days' is almost cruel. It wasn't as though Everton had lost. If they are to prove themselves champions, their spectators must appreciate to take the lean with the fat. The team cannot win every time. The frustration of 38,000 people, denied time and again the winning goal Everton deserved, fairly exploded in those dramatic last 60 seconds. Veall, in the ruck, struck a shot which beat Standen, but hit the foot of an upright. The ball rolled slowly back to Young, who is less tense moments might have side-footed it gently over the line. Sensing, perhaps, the glory of a winning goal hammered in, he elected to give the ball all he'd got. It flew high over the bar to the most agonising moan I've ever heard at Goodison Park.
The long Walk
A moment later the final whistle sounded. It must have been a long, long walk for Young to the exit subway. I could scarcely believe my ears when the band clapping and derisory jeers started. I confess I thought it more directed at West Ham than Young, maybe they shared it. It died as the players came within 20 yards of the steps. My reaction to criticism of West Ham for setting out to get a draw was recollection of the match at Tottenham just seven days previously. Did not everyone commend Mr. Catterick's plan for defence in depth and a point? They did. And that is why we should accept West Ham's –or any other visiting team's –policy of aiming at a draw. As it happened, I think they would have been even more successful if they had gone out positively for both points. The few attacks they contrived were half-hearted things of little conviction. They never even looked as though they anticipated winning. And say what you will about Continental "they shall not pass" schemes, the old adage that attack is the best defence still holds. West Ham will not meet every week a side as profligate with chances as Everton were; nor can they expect their fine goalkeeper, Standen, to play as brilliantly as he did week by week. I don't blame Everton for not winning; I don't blame West Ham for not emerging often from their defensive shell. If the game were played half a dozen times on the same pitch by the same players, Everton would probably win them all. That may not be much consolation, but in present day football even leaders must drop the occasional point on their own ground. West Ham's defence was worth a point.
INSECURE FOOTHOLD
Young, except for one run early in the second half, scarcely put a foot right. His foothold was insecure and caused him to slip up "on the flat," as they say in racing, at the moment one expected him to show his artistry. There were too occasions, too, when Vernon, with the ball at his feet and close to goal, could not get at it quickly enough to snap a goal. Everton's first came early and gave hint of many others. Stevens, seizing his chance after Veall's angled shot had been only half cleared, slammed the ball in for his 100th League score. At 20 minutes West Ham, having done practically no attacking, made the scores level with a goal from Brabrook, the chance having arisen through the ball rebounding painfully from the face of Brian Harris off a hard-hit shot by Byrne. From the moment Everton seemed likely to go ahead again, but never did. Standen was magnificent. Brown's heading of the ball as it came from either wing was equally valuable. Everton tended to crowd each other in the confined space left to them by a defence which stayed at home and put the onus on the other's attack. It was a constant procession of Everton offensive moves, with first one and then another of their attack denied by the first-class tackling of Burkett, Kirkup, Moore, and Brown. Occasionally West Ham moved away from defence and it was then seen that Scott (after being twice inured) could beat Parker and that Byrne, the most nimble forward in the game, might have the occasional beating of Labone. But the West Ham forwards rarely moved en masse. If they had, Everton's struggle might have been even less availing. Veall, except when he was trying to beat not one or two defenders, but four or five, was excellent; so was Vernon, always under the watchful eye- sometimes after the ball had gone-of the very good referee, Mr. Luty. Mr. Luty's best and bravest moment came when he turned down a penalty appeal as Young went down. "Did he fall or was he brought down?" was the question posed in the referee's mind. He answered it fairly and properly. Yet one further instance that it was not going to be Alex Young's day.

GREEN MAY MOVE TO BIRMINGHAM
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Monday December 10 1962
Everton Full Back
By Leslie Edwards
Everton and Birmingham to-day agreed terms for the transfer from Everton of Welsh Under-23 full-back, Colin Green, whose request for a transfer was a greed "reluctantly " some three weeks ago. Birmingham manager. Mr. Gil Merrick, the old England goalkeeper, was in touch by telephone with Everton this afternoon. The fee paid is a substantial one. I gather it is not far short of 20,000.
Green is the second Everton player Birmingham have signed in the past two seasons. The other was centre-forward Jimmy Harris. Green, who comes from the Wrexham area, and who was in the Welsh under-23 side as recently as last Wednesday, is not yet 21. He has been with Everton almost four seasons, having been signed as an amateur three years last January.
MORRISSEY SOON IN FULL TRAINING
GAME WITH THIRD TEAM
Johnny Morrissey, out of the Everton first team for weeks through a troublesome muscle injury, had a run with the club's third team on Saturday. He suffered no reaction afterwards and is expected to get into full training again within the next 10 days. Meanwhile Veall, his deputy fills outside left position so well it is hard to visualise him being deposed.
CUP TICKETS
BARNSLEY FANS QUEUE FOR EVERTON TIE
Barnsley today started selling tickets for their third round F.A Cup-tie with Everton on January 5, and fans queued outside the ground at 7-30 a.m., -2 ½ hours before the sales started. By 10 a.m, there were over 1,000 people waiting for tickets. Barnsley manager, Mr. Johnny Steele, said; "We are restricting each person to two tickets." The bulk of the tickets will be distributed to works who have made block applications.

BIRMINGHAM WANT COLIN GREEN
Liverpool Daily Post- Tuesday, December 11, 1962
Terms have been agreed for the transfer of Everton's Welsh Under-23 full back Colin Green, to Birmingham City. The fee involved is about £18,000 and the player is expected to sign today. Green, who is 20, has made fifteen First Division appearances for Everton and has played twice for Young Wales. He was put on the transfer list ay his own request and if he signs will join another former Everton player, Jimmy Harris, at Birmingham. Reports of a Newcastle offer for Wrexham's twenty-one-year-old wing half Tecwyn Jones were discounted yesterday when player-manager Ken Barnes said he had not even had an inquiry for United. Everton and Manchester City are understood to have watched Jones who played for Wales in the Under-23 international last week, but neither club has made an approach to Wrexham.

TODAY'S SHORT STORY- BY GOALKEEPERS
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 11 December 1962
By Leslie Edwards
What is strange about the traditional strip of Everton goalkeepers? I would know and neither I suppose, would thousands of others, if it were not for people like Mr. T. Bird, of 112a Victoria Road, New Brighton. He says; "I wonder if your knowledge of Everton tradition could help me with a question which so far has not been answered- why does the Everton goalkeeper always wear black shorts when the rest of the team wear white ones with their number one strip? It cannot be peculiar to the goalkeeper's personal fancy because I haven't yet seen an Everton goalkeeper wearing other than black. I hope you can answer this for me as it will put an end to conjectures that have been passing round the office. Many thanks for your fine reports and column." Mr. Jack Sharp, whose family have been connected with the club for 50 years and more and who might well have known about this, confessed he'd never noticed that the goalkeeper wore different coloured shorts from the rest of the team. Nor had I. It could be that years ago when the tradition was begun someone at the Everton club had the notion that defenders would have a better knowledge of the position of their goalkeeper in emergency if they glimpsed his black shorts, but partly off-setting that advantage is the fact that some opposing forwards would also be wearing black shorts. The preponderance of teams and goalkeepers wear white shorts. Colours laid down for goalkeepers' jersey in the Football League are confined to white, scarlet, royal blue and royal green. In Scotland, and in internationals in England, yellow is often used. I imagine that a goalkeeper wearing yellow would seem to loom larger between the sticks than one wearing green, especially if the margin of grass behind goal were a wide one.
MORE EASILY LAUNDERED?
Can any old-timer give valid reasoning for Everton's tradition? Short of ensuring that black shorts make life easier for the club launder I cannot! I can imagine, years ago, the lady who did the Everton washing imploring authority to let the goalkeeper wear black because she couldn't get his mud-strained shorts whiter than white. That the Football League take careful note of goalkeeper's apparel is clear from the rule which says that all club colours shall be registered with the League. Consideration, I am told, is going to be given to the case of Chelsea, whose goalkeeper turned out at Preston on Saturday dressed from head to foot in green- the lot! Manager Tommy Docherty described him as "Like a pea in a pod." The week before against Plymouth, whose team wear green as their first strip, the Chelsea goalkeeper turned out in vivid red jersey, red shorts and red stocking. Mr. Docherty explained that this colour scheme tended to allow co-defenders to know where their goalkeeper was, I can well believe that. I can well believe, too, that within the next few months more stringent rules will be laid down about what goalkeepers may or may not wear! So Mr. the early Bird, of Wallasey, may have started minds turning with that innocuous-looking question of his…
In passing it may be news to many people that teams may play the first half in one set of colours and the second half in completely different ones. But only if their original colours are so blackened by mud as to be undistinguishable.
HARDER ON HIM
The crowd's reaction to Alex Young's last minute miss against West Ham went harder with him than it would have with most other Everton players. He has had such a long, triumphant spell with Everton there has been little except adulation for him. Most of the other players have had to become a little hardened to occasional mild barracking when they have played badly. Some of the taunts thrown at Young as he came off disturbed Young's colleagues and distressed the man against whom they were aimed. If the miss had come earlier in the game it would probably have been forgotten and forgiven. Arriving, as it did, with almost the last kick of the match, it stuck out like a sore thumb. The only argument in favour of treating a player in this way is that of those who contend that people who pay at the gate are entitled to show their feelings. Young's walk from the scene of the "crime" must have been the longest, most unhappy in the whole of his career. As to his failure to keep his feet it must be said that it is his very cleverness at braking quickly on a normal ground which enables him to contribute his touch of genius. On the slippery pitch of Saturday he went to the ball fast, pulled up sharply-and usually found himself on the floor. Talk about idols with feet of clay. This one's name, for once, was mud. D.Fitzimmons (34 Cambridge Avenue, Crosby) has been browsing through some football annuals and has come across some facts which he thinks the majority of Anfield fans know little about. They are that Billy Stevenson was the regular left half-back for Glasgow Rangers at 19 and was hailed as a certain future International. He has obtained with Rangers (a) a Scottish League champions' medal (b) Scottish Cup winners' medal (c) a full cap v. Jutland. He also played in all the European Cup up to the semi-final v. Eintracht, in that year. Mr. Fitzimmons thinks Stevenson could be the greatest of all Liverpool signings.
BIRTH OF A BLUE
What makes an Evertonian or Liverpudian? The answer depends on which ground people are taken to for their first experience of soccer. Everton's countless thousands of fans were thus increased by one young lady, normally a Rugby Union devotee, who was thrilled by her first visit to Goodison Park on Saturday. This is what Miss S.H. says of it- "Only at Twickenham have I seen such a packed ground. What a warmth of good humour and expectant enthusiasm the crowd radiated. I had very enthusiastic neighbours by my side, and blasé cynics behind. There was certainly no time in which to be bored before the kick-off. I was intrigued to see a 'grand procession,' led by that meandering monk like Mother Noblett wafting a somewhat dilapidated umbrella. "I had never before seen photographers prostrate behind the goals. What happens to them when it rains? "As the sun grinned weakly across the pitch and accompanied by a roar loud enough to rout the strongest-hearted opposition out came the Everton I had heard and read so much about. They trotted extravagantly on to the ground, followed by their minute mascot. "I was by now pretty excited and by the time the robust, commanding referee blew his whistle I was balanced (or rather squashed) on the edge of my small, and decidedly hard, seat, ready for the fray. "How different from the lumbering, jovial rugger types I know were these fit, vital soccer thoroughbreds. Their footwork, speed and versatility were terribly impressive; I wished I was half as fit and energetic! "But were those casualties really hurt, playing for extra time, or being supplied surreptitiously with glucose tablets? And where was all the dirty play I'd heard about in the Dunfermline match." "My enthusiastic neighbours had a hero called Alex, but unfortunately he was rather quickly out of favour. For all the energy displayed, little constructive play resulted. To me, both teams seemed to become paralysed on approaching the enemy's goal. The visitors' goalkeeper managed to excel himself, nevertheless, and earned every bit of the applause he was given, stealing the show with artistic nose-dives through the mud. He 'made' the game for me. "Although the floodlights were something new and exciting to me, they didn't seem to help improve the play. The conclusion was confirmed by the ripe and disappointed language around me, from which I gathered that this game was no epic. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I'm not at all sure I shan't follow the example of the disgusted supporters, who declared, "it'll be Rugby for me next week!"

GREEN SIGNS FOR BIRMINGHAM
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 11 December 1962
DEBUT AGAINST TOTTENHAM
EVERTON HOME
Collin Green, Everton Welsh under 23 international full back, signed for Birmingham City today. Mr. Gil Merrick, the City manager, watched Green in action against Scotland under-23 team in Aberdeen last week and terms were agreed with Everton yesterday. Green will make his debut for Birmingham against Tottenham Hotspur, at St. Andrews on Saturday.
BURNLEY'S HOLIDAY
While Everton players returned from three days' holiday in Llandudno, Burnley, their opponents at Goodison Park on Saturday, moved off today for a few days' special preparation at Blackpool. They were at Blackpool several times during their Cup run last season. The first team plus six reserves are in the party. The Burnley team is expected to be unchanged from that which beat Ipswich 3-1 on Saturday. Everton too, are not expected to have changes.

EVERTON TRANSFER COLIN GREEN-THEIR LUCKY MASCOT
Liverpool Daily Post- Wednesday December 12 1962
By Horace Yates
The player who used to be regarded as Everton's lucky mascot, twenty-year-old Colin Green was yesterday transferred to Birmingham City for a free of about £12,000 and will make his debut for his new club on Saturday when Tottenham Hotspur are at St. Andrews. A North Walian, Green is an under-23 Welsh international full back and it was probably his performance in the game against Scotland at Aberdeen a week ago that finally clinched the decision to sign him, for Green had been watched on several occasions recently. When Green first came into the side on September 5, 1960 the match was at Blackpool and supporters will remember it with a good deal of satisfaction for it put an end to Everton's mournful run of away games without a victory.
UNENVIABLE RECORD
Throughout season 1959-60 Everton never won a match on opponent's territory the only club in the First Division with such an unenviable record. The following season we had the mixture as before, when visits to Tottenham, Manchester United and Aston Villa all produced defeats. It was against the background that Green stepped in at left back as deputy for Tommy Jones, Everton won 4-1 and the spell was broken. If that was a happy beginning for the youngster and team alike there were better things to come for during the remainder of that season. Green played in seven matters without once being on the losing side, and moreover he helped Everton to further away wins at Fulham and Nottingham Forest so that the away bogy was well and truly laid. In fact it was only to his tenth game (at Sheffield Wednesday) that the spell was broken. Had not Mick Meagan blossomed out as an accomplished defender, and with Thomson also on hand, I doubt very much if Everton would have considered releasing a player who could develop, with first team experience into a more capable defender. I have always been particularly impressed with the speed of recovery of the bot. There is little more disconcerting for an opponent than to whip round a full back and then find him in position to challenge a second time, before the attacker can profit by the break. Not until the closing weeks of the season do Everton clash with Birmingham and then they play both games on successive day- April 15 and 16. Neither Everton nor Burnley have any injuries to worry them for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at Goodison Park.

ALEX YOUNG; 'I DON'T KNOW-AND NEVER SHALL! '
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 13 December 1962
By Leslie Edwards
Shall we ever know just how Alex Young came to miss that "sitter" against West Ham? Unfortunately, no, because the man who hit the ball over an empty goal from inside the six yards area doesn't know himself-and says he never will! Here is how Alex recaps on what happened; "I nodded the ball down to Veall. His shot struck the foot of an upright and the ball came back to me as I turned towards goal. It came back fast. I thought I would 'push' it over the line. I side-footed it. I caught it well. If I had mis-hit it, perhaps with the sole of my boot, I would probably have scored! "I just don't know how I got it over the bar. I never shall now. The people at the back of the goal were the ones who 'got at me' most. I didn't hear any abuse as I went off. I was terribly disappointed to have missed such a chance but when you are a footballer you must accept abuse if people are prepared to throw it. After all when you do well you get the praise and the plaudits. I've got over my disappointment now. I was not really worried about what spectators said. Footballers are only human. They're not proof against mistakes. They're not infallible." The miss of the season, if not the century, has created more discussion in the city than anything for months. A lot of readers think Young might be a little more active; others defend him against his critics. My own comment when giving both sides of the argument is to ask people to realise that this player, physically, is not nearly as strong as most others in top-class soccer. Some conservation of his energies, if not his skill is always required over ninety on a pitch such as Saturday's.
SO ASHAMED…
Mrs. Rita Murphy, 19 Neston Street, Liverpool, 4 writes sense when she says; "I was so ashamed to hear a few people (not real supporters) slow-handclapping the Everton team, and consider this thoughtless and insensitive behaviour completely unfair. "Firstly, not all the team played badly and if Alex Young did, and it would be an insult to him to deny this, is he not human? Does not this man, whose artistry and intelligent football is the rule rather than the exception, know when he is playing badly and suffer accordingly? "Secondly, West Ham are a strong side who were excellent in defence particularly in goal, proof in itself that most of the game was played in their half. "Finally, do not let us forget this. Everton have given us a lot to swank about this season and if they are to finish where they are now. League leaders, we must not withdraw the prop of our support when it is most needed."
Disgruntled Blue (Claypole Street, Liverpool, 7) says;
"After reading your report on the West Ham game I cannot conceive how you can go on making excuses for Alex Young's too lethargic displays week after week. Instead of putting his effort down to one of his 'off' days it would be interesting to know when he last had an 'on' day.
"I would much sooner see an average player who can play ninety minutes' football than all Young's brilliant flashes. "Oh for another two or three forwards who show Denis Stevens' guts, grit, determination and enthusiasm"
Ron Chambers (104 Ettington Road, Anfield) writes; - "Allow me, through your column, to express my condemnation of the mean criticism hurled at Alex Young. "I readily agree that he had a shocking game, missed a couple of 'sitters' and looked completely out of touch- he has done for some weeks now- but he certainly hasn't been the worst offender and even at his worst made a bigger contribution than some others. "I'm sure that Young should have been rested a couple of weeks ago but I shudder to think how the team would fare minus him against Burnley. "I pray that Alex will once again silence the 'bull at a gate' brigade or better still, prove himself worthy of the title. 'Best since Lawton.' "On the question of Everton being potential honours winners, I would add that they stand little chance when they have to adopt Italian tactics against an off-form Spurs –I do agree though that in view of their forward weaknesses, these tactics were somewhat necessary. "It grieves me to see Everton likely to just miss again for the sake of one or two weak positions. Surely a scoring right wing pair must become available soon. "As a parting shot, I would like to express my enjoyment of the Everton chant. This is truly a wonderful form of appreciation. Long may it last and increase in volume (at Goodison and Anfield)," like Everton possess, into a frenzy of partisans emotion, then it follows that they will make their displeasure heard, when some unfortunate bursts their balloon. "In closing, good luck to Alex Young and may we enjoy his ball play for many a season, but not, I'm afraid, as a goal-scoring centre-forward. Fifteen years old Thomas Burgess (61 Menai Road, Bootle, 20) writes;-
"I was extremely sorry to hear the jeering, barracking and slow handiclapping of a man who has had only one or two bad games since he has been with Everton. "I was as surprised as you when Young missed that "sitter" but to boo him off the pitch is not right. He has given me more pleasure than Law and Greaves put together. "Young must have felt terrible as he walked off. You will probably not print a word of this but writing it has eased my mind a lot.
W. Morgan, 46 Geraint Street, Liverpool 8, asks- When was the last time Alex Young had a good game?
"On my reckoning it was October 6 at Wolverhampton when he scored a fine goal, bringing about the first defeat of Wolverhampton. That was ten League games ago!!!
"Don't get me wrong. Nobody is a greater admirer of Young than I, but let us face facts. For a team that is challenging for League and Cup, a centre-forward must be able to score goals." Forget Everton for honours this year. Come on Alex, roll your sleeves up!"
NOT THEIR DAY
All those moans about Everton! It wasn't their day. Bad luck beat them. Alex Young won't be the last to get the bird for missing an open goal. In my opinion he's one of the best in British football, who can play anywhere and play cleanly. He should ignore the small section of the crowd. To all others he's tops.- J. Brown, 51 Stanhope Drive, Huyton-Roby.
OPEN LETTER TO WEST HAM
An open letter to Ron Greenwood, manager of West Ham United is from the pen of Michael Shankland, 287 Walton Breck Road, Liverpool 4. "I hope you will accept that this letter is not written because of sour grapes –Everton did not win Saturday's game because they missed too many chances to deserve to have done so. However, I cannot help feeling that you and your team's attitude is doing a grave dis-service to the game. It is quite against the spirit of football to go into any match solely with the idea of preventing the other side from scoring and to hold on to one point. I admit that points are vital but nevertheless crowds will not flock to see a side that plays a negative game however successful it may be. "Similarly complaints I know were voiced after your stagnant match against the Wednesday at Sheffield so my argument is not unique. There is too much talk of defence in depth and insides tackling back- enough! Football should be a constructive not a destructive game. Incidentently Everton's tactics at White Hart Lane are as deplorable as they were successful). "In conclusion, Mr. Greenwood I find it extraordinary that having paid heaven knows how much for two attackers, Brabrook and Byrne, and possessing wing-halves Moore and Peters both very attack-minded, you still persist in dull negative and unfortunately safe to play."
Reader Watson Davies, of 2 Stanmore Mansions, Promenade, West Kirby, complains- "In case you have not seen one, I enclose a copy of the Spurs programme I obtained on the occasion of the Everton fixture.
"I think you will agree that this is a very well presented publication, incorporating plenty of news for the home supporters and a good deal of space for the opposition, and at a most reasonable price of 3d.
"By comparison, in my view, the Everton programme at 6d is an imposition, the reading matter is reduced to a minimum, and last Saturday, they even omitted the usual pen pictures of the opposing side. "I do feel that some re-planning of the Everton F.C., programme is overdue, both in regard to the price and the subject matter."

ROY VERNON SAYS...
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday December 14, 1962
TRIP TO WALES WAS TIMED TO PERFECTION
It was undoubtedly a good idea to take the Everton players away to Llandudno and the timing of the trip was masterly for we were whisked away out of reach and sight of our disappointed supporters, who could have helped to make life a little worrying after the setback against West Ham last Saturday. Moreover we have returned like lions refreshed for the battle of the battles against Burnley at Goodison tomorrow- a match which could have a vital bearing on the championship. I think most of the players are glad that it was decided to return on Tuesday, for it gave us a chance to settle into routine again and approach tomorrow's match as a home game instead of travelling to it like an away match. When you are away with plenty of rich foods about the temptation is to eat just a little more than useful with the result that an unwanted pound or two begins to appear here and there and remember, they all have to be run off! Mind you with trainer Tom Eggleston –around I don't think there is a lot of chance of any of us putting on weigh. At Llandudno on Tuesday morning it was raining quite heavily with the wind lashing the rain down. Now what do you think the ideal programme for such conditions might be? Indoor net ball or exercises in the gym? Not on your life. "Come on boys," said Tom cheerfully. "This is just the weather for a cross county run." He was serious and out we went jog-trotting over the Great Orme, looking more and more like mountains goats as we picked our way gingerly. The wind and rain blow in our faces and strangely, once we were soaked through we enjoyed it. In fact, we all found it exhilarating I always said that the best air in the world is found in North Wales. But then you could accuse me of being a trifle biased! We must gave covered five or six miles and all would have gone well had Billy Bingham not assumed the rule of unofficial pack-leader. I don't know whether or not it was Billy's idea to find the shortest route to Ireland but he certainly took us to the cliff edge before we changed the pilot. Still, all this talk of Llandudno-and I must thank the football club for placing their ground at our disposal for all exciting five-a-side soccer game-does not take us very far away from the match with West ham and all its disappointments, but after we did get one point. Burnley are here tomorrow and they come knowing that Everton beat them at Turf Moor and that they need a victory to restore the balance. A draw away from home is normally considered a performance except when you have already lost the home game. Our meetings with Burnley are traditionally fast, exciting and entertaining and I have no reason to think that the latest in the series will be any different. I have the greatest respect for the Turf Moor side and they know as well as we do there is still a long way to go in the championship race and it is for them to try and prevent us from opening up a gap at the top of the table. Their most potent weapon in this direction is their attack and were we not able to boast the best defence in the League we might be worried. We know we can handle them. We have done it once this season and we believe we can do it again. We are so far unbeaten at home this season. That is how we intend to keep it, but football being football even a club like Everton with all its players and resources cannot give a guarantee. If we could you could put our names on the championship trophy right now.

SPURS JUST BEAT EVERTON AS GAME'S BEST SUPPORTED CLUB
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, December 14, 1962
By Horace Yates
with just half the season behind them, Everton and Liverpool know that after tomorrow's Goodison game more than one million spectators will have filed through the turnstiles to see the games at Goodison Park and Anfield. The combined total today stands at 968,787, so that only 31,213 are required for the Burnley match to send up seven figures. It is remarkable record, for, unless I am very much mistaken that 31,213 requirements will be more than doubled a tribute alike to the sporting character of the Merseyside football public and the attractive play of the two teams which has kept loyalties sustained. Everton's contribution to the grand total so far is 552,630 from eleven matches giving an average attendance of 50,239 compared with 475,559 and we average of 43,232 at this stage last year.

YOUR ATTENDANCE HAS BEEN SPUR TO EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Friday 14 December 1962
By Leslie Edwards
If Everton beat Burnley at Goodison Park to-morrow there won't be many unprepared to concede that Everton have done everything a potential championship team should do in the first half of the season. Their draw at Tottenham and victories at Burnley, Wolverhampton, Manchester United and other hot " home-team spots suggest that they are at last commanding the consistency without which their manager could not envisage them as champions. I should say the enormous incentive of crowd bonuses has done more than anything else to make Everton successful away from home. They have fought harder than they used to in maintaining their place at the top of the table. No team in Britain can ever have received such rich financial rewards for League performances. I am still not sure Everton can survive the risk of weeks of League play on heavy, muddy grounds. Since, and including, the mud bath at Blackburn they have taken four points from eight. When I last mentioned the team's disadvantages in the mud Roy Vernon was tempted to react: "What mud ?" because the Everton ground, drained so effectively, was playing excellently and not churning up as it did two seasons ago. He had clearly forgotten that every other match Everton play is not at Goodison Park and that most away grounds are inevitably mud heaps at this time of the season! An artistic team, Everton are not well suited, physically or psychologically, to any but normal ground surfaces. The Burnley defence has remained unchanged for some 55 matches. Angus and Elder, said (without confirmation) to be the subject of a £l00,000 bid by Everton a few weeks ago, are magnificent backs and Blacklaw is the sort of goalkeeper off whom challenging forwards are apt to bounce—with pained expressions on their faces. So Burnley's solidity in this department, backed by the skill and poise of captain Jimmy Adamson and the greatness of such forwards as Lochhead, Mcllroy and Pointer, make the team most formidable.
LET'S HAVE A BARRAGE
Young will want to wipe out last week's indignities as quickly as possible. That is why I think we may expect more shooting from him. He can hit the ball venomously hard and accurately when in the mood. A barrage of shots from him would be timely. One of Everton's faults against West Ham was that they tried to take the ball in too close. Let us have some uninhibited driving for goal whenever possible tomorrow, please. Apparently I led with my chin when I admitted that I had never noticed that Everton goalkeepers wore different coloured shorts from the remainder of the team.
Mr. G.L. Brisco, of Rimmer Avenue, writes that he always suspected that a visit to my optician was overdue. So far as football is concerned I don't need an optician. If Mr. Brisco cares to challenge my long sight against his he's welcome to try. But it might cost him a small wager. Still on the same topic J. Magee, who is 17 and who lives at 65 Fleetwood Road, West Derby, has this reasonable explanation of Everton's tradition. "The Everton goalkeeper wears black shorts not to enable co-defenders to know where he is, but rather to make himself less conspicuous to opposing forwards. Wearing white shorts he could easily be seen moving across the goalmouth. Harry Cook senior, the old Everton trainer, now in retirement, is reported to have confirmed this reason only a year ago."
Roger Johnson disagrees with my rating of Vernon's performance against West Ham. "At the risk of being considered a heretic," he says. "I cannot align myself with you about this player. "I thought his play completely insipid. His rare moments of brilliance this season have been more than countermanded by the standard of his play at other times. He seems to regard scoring goals as his sole function, his contribution to scheming being, to say the least, sporadic.
NO CHANGE IN EVERTON TEAM
BURNLEY ALSO SATISFIED
AT GOODISON
By Leslie Edwards
Contrary to rumours which swept Liverpool this morning, there is no change in the Everton team to meet Burnley, at Goodison Park tomorrow. The story had run that Alex Young, following his nightmare game against West Ham, would be losing his place to Frank Wignall. Mr. Catterick, the Everton manager, plainly has unimpaired faith in his centre-forward who has often played brilliantly this season. Burnley will field a full strength side, the same one which has represented them in their last seven League games.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Tomorrow's game will mean initial Goodison appearances for Burnley centre half John Talbut and centre forward Andy Lochhead. Talbut came into a senior side on August 25 when he displaced veteran Tommy Cummings. Talbut has retained his place since then and, in fact, has on many occasions been one of the strong men in the Burnley defence. Burnley have been in special training this week at Blackpool and will travel direct from there tomorrow. Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall. Burnley; Blacklaw; Angus, Elder; Adamson, Talbut, Miller; Connelly, Pointer, Lochhead, McIIroy, Harris.

GOODISON HAS BECOME BURNLEY'S SECOND HOME
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday December 15, 1962
ONE DEFEAT FROM EIGHT VISITS SOUNDS A WARNING NOTE
By Horace Yates
Twenty-eight League matches have been played at Goodison Park since Everton last went down to defeat in front of their own followers and if they can extend that record to take in the remaining home games then the championship dream, may be approaching reality, but if there is one from horse, more than any other, likely to start Everton counting all over again, surely it is Burnley, their nearest challengers in the League table. Not only is Goodison Park second favourite only to Turf Moor in Burnley ratings, but it is a fact that Bob Lord's side have the best record of any other club, at least since the matches were resumed with Everton's return to Division One in 1954-55. Of the eight meetings, four have ended in draws, three of them 1-1, three in Everton defeats, with 1956-57 providing the one home victory. Actually the 2-2 draw last season terminated a run of three successive wins at Goodison Park by Burnley, if there is such a thing as players for grounds on the lines of horses for courses, then Goodison must be regarded as Burnley's second home.
WOUNDING GAP?
What a chance this is for Everton to open up what could be a winning gap at the top of the table. A triumph would put them four points clear of Burnley, and at least three and probably more, clear of Tottenham. We saw last week that serious challenges can be made from unexpected quarters but fortunately Everton are becoming a big occasion team at their best when most is asked of them, and certainly this is just such an occasion today. Burnley, unchanged for the eight successive game, come straight from their stay at Blackpool while Everton unchanged for the seventh consecutive match, play their first game since freshening up in the air of Llandudno. In many a meeting Ray Pointer has been a thorn in Everton's fresh and I recall his scoring eight goals in his last seven League games with Everton, falling in only one of those clashes and while he has fallen back in the Burnley scoring race since abdicating the centre forward position in favour of the new scoring king Lochhead he remains one of the busiest and most dangerous players near goal. Lochhead has eleven goals to his name, but as Roy Vernon can claim 13, it looks as though Burnley will have their worries too. I don't see how this can fail to be a rousing game. Often defensive tactics are specially produced to cope with a particular situation, but I cannot imagine Everton going on the defensive, and certainly Burnley cannot afford to do so. In any event, Burnley prosper on attack and the taking if only one point from four against Everton, is hardly likely to be the height of their ambitions. Everton have the outstanding and accomplished Labone to cure the youthful ambition of Lochhead while Young's opponents, Talbut, has more promise than experience.
NO GUARANTEE
I think most people realise that goals cannot be guaranteed from any position by any player (I have actually seen one missed from five or six inches)and fortunately Young is not the temperamental type to worry over being hoisted by fate into such an embarrassing situation last week. He will go out today determined to do his best, and I for one say jolly good luck to him. Everton's defence is the toughest of any according to records and while Burnley's rearguard has been nothing like as convincing on away grounds today is worthy of a special endeavour not to let down the forwards, and I believe this match could easily add another 1-1 draw to the Goodison entries. Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall. Burnley; Blacklaw; Angus, Elder; Adamson, Talbut, Miller; Connelly, Pointer, Lochhead, McIIroy, Harris.

EVERTOON NET THREE IN SEVEN-MINUTES SPELL
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express –Saturday December 15, 1962
LEADERS GIVE GOODISON CROWD A THRILLER
EVERTON 3, BURNLEY 1
By Michael Charters
Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall. Burnley; Blacklaw; Angus, Elder; Adamson, Talbut, Miller; Connelly, Pointer, Lochhead, McIIroy, Harris (G). Referee; Mr. J. Finney (Heresford). The strong wind was very troublesome but the pitch was in fine conditions. Everton had started brilliantly, Young made a quick dart through the Burnley defence and when he put the ball across Vernon was only inches away from connecting. The first save of the match was by West when Miller collected a deflected ball and shot straight at the Everton goalkeeper. With the Burnley defence expecting a pass, Young elected to shoot from fully 30 yards and surprised Blacklaw, but the ball skid inches wide of the upright.
PACKED DEFENCE
Burnley were very quick to pack their defence whenever Everton attacked and after one brilliant move between Stevens and Young, Pointer almost turned the ball past his own goalkeeper. Blacklaw, however dived to recover at the last second. From a Veall corner kick the ball was held in the air by the wind so that Blacklaw was yards out of position, but although Young and Stevens both tried to connect the ball was scrambled away and then Veall sent it wide. This was a grand match in every way living up to its rating. Vernon's made an astute pass to Gabriel who took the ball on but hit it several yards wide from just outside the area. Everton had just about held the edge in the opening phrases and deservedly took the lead after 17 minutes through Stevens. Meagan's long centre was headed out by Talbut straight to Stevens, who immediately hit it back into the net from 15 yards. In the next attack Everton were desperately unlucky not to score again. Brian Harris chipped the ball through and Stevens touched it on towards Young, but Blacklaw made a brilliant interception snatched it from the centre forward's toes. After 19 minutes Everton delivered the most telling blow with a brilliant goal from Vernon, Parker pushed the ball through to the unmarked Vernon who moved into the penalty area as Blacklaw advanced from his goal. Blacklaw saved Vernon's first shot the ball bounced back, and the Everton skipper made no mistake with his second attempts. After 24 minutes Everton sent their delighted fans into raptures of excitement. Young scored a fine goal with his head, the build-up similar to the opening goal, Stevens centred across a packed goalmouth and when Vernon challenged Talbut in the air, the centre half headed on straight to Young who made a brilliant header back into the net from fully 12 yards. Burnley fought back with much skill and determination. A fine centre from Connelly was met by the head of Pointer and sent inches over the bar. Then McIIroy pushed the ball across dangerously to Lochhead whose shot seemed to be going towards the corner of the net but struck Gabriel's foot in flight and the ball went narrowly wide. From the corner Everton's defence was beaten and Lochhead header over the top when the goal seemed a certainty.
TURNED OFF LINE
Talbut deflected a shot from Vernon just past his own upright and from the corner the ball was headed straight to Gabriel, whose strong header from 12 yards was turned off the line by Elder. This was Everton at their best with excellent finishing power allied to their good midfield play. From a great centre by Young. Bingham made a strong diving header which Blacklaw saved at the second attempt. Everton defence was quite often exposed by the speed and thrust off the Burnley attack, but inevitably one of the defenders recovered in time to get the ball away. Veall was doing well against the experienced Angus, but one could find the fault with any Everton player at this stage. Burnley seemed to have lost some of their earlier poise and no wonder the way Everton were maintaining their pressure. Meagan and Labone were having outstanding games. Stevens was doing a tremendous amount of work in defence and attack. At half time drew near the tempo of the game slackened which one could understand considered the pace both teams had played at. Half-time; Everton 3, Burnley nil.
The first incident of the second half was when a strong centre from Veall hit the referee smack on the back of his head, but Mr. Finney carried on although he appeared hurt.
TACKLING STRONGLY
Burnley were inclined to keep the ball too close and Everton defence tackling strongly in time and again to clear. A good pass by Meagan having the game of his life sent Stevens away and he pulled the ball back to Veall whose lobbed shot dropped on to the top netting. The first shot or some time for Burnley was by Miller who put so much height on to it that the ball nearly dropped into the Stanley Park goal stand. The second half had started without the zest of the first but Brian Harris sparkled into life with a great run of 40 yards ending with a strongly hit shot which Blacklaw saved a full stretch. Young made a fine effort from the edge of the penalty and Everton were continuing their earlier domination. Hard though Burnley tried Everton always looked the stronger side with particularly great strength at half-back. Young had more than redeemed himself for his miss of last week with an outstanding display of constructive ability. After 59 minutes Burnley got a goal back- a good one by McIIroy, who had done nothing in this match until then. The ball was flicked across from the left wing and McIIRoy caught it on the volley very well with West getting his hands to it but being unable to stop it.
AVE OF MATCH
Immediately afterwards Vernon hit a 25 yards shot just wide and then Blacklaw made the save of the match at the feet of Stevens. Burnley were more in the game now after their goal but Everton were bursting into life constructively, in patches and Parker was the next to try a shot the ball swinging wide of the far post. Burnley were playing with considerably calm and always looked dangerous up to the region of Everton's penalty area as the home team's attacking impetus fell away Elder was having a great game against his Irish colleague Bingham. This had been particularly fine and sporting game and both teams deserved the utmost crowd it for their performance under most difficult conditions. Labone had been in International form in subdoing the dangerous Lochhead and he held Everton defence together well as Burnley moved down in their usual smooth fashion. In this half Everton's forwards had been nothing like as good as they had been before the interval. It was remarkable that after I had said this had been a clean game. Burnley were guilty of three fouls in quick succession, which had the crowd shouting their "off off off" chant.
FEW CHANCES
There had been few scoring chances this half by either side, but a header by Stevens over the bar was quickly followed by Pointer hitting a tremendous angled drive over the bar. In the closing stages there was a great deal of nail-biting by the Everton fans for Burnley looked so dangerous at times, but Everton's great defence was holding together well. Connelly had been kept so quiet by Meagan that it came something of a surprise when he raced through and fired a terrific shot which West brilliant turned around the post. A great pass from Young to Stevens gave Everton the best chance this half but Stevens shooting from the edge of the area sent the ball just wide. Final; Everton 3, Burnley 1. Official attendances 48,403.
EVERTON B. V BURY B
Everton took the lead after three minutes when Maher cut in from the left wing and crossed the ball into the Bury goal. Wright increased the lead after 35 minutes with a low level shot, and Glover added a third, one minute later. Half-time; Everton B 3, Bury B nil.

TIMING OF MISS' WORTH A WORD
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express –Saturday, December 15, 1962.
By Alex Young
In last week's article I said that I thought our Llandudno holiday was well timed, and the next month or so will show whether this was correct. Something which was far from well timed, however was the easy scoring chance I missed in the closing minutes of our match against West Ham on the same day as the article appeared. There has been much comment on my "blunder" since and you will no doubt have seen my recollection of the incident in Thursday's Echo but I cannot help thinking that if that miss had occurred in the opening minutes of a match Everton had on, not in the closing minutes of one they only drew, then very much less would have (been said for written) about it. I am not making excuses however and am the first to admit that it was a really bad miss. Footballers, however are only human and even easier chances than this one have gone begging in the past and will continue to do is in the future. That's the way it goes in football, and a professional must learn to accept both good and bad luck with equal dignity. I was disappointed as anybody that we dropped a home point again. West Ham but it must be remembered that the Hammers have some class players. They were one of the best footballing sides we have come across this season; better in my opinion, than Sheffield United.
CAPABLE DEPUTY
West Ham's form to date has been most inconsistent but I dare to forecast that when they hit their form, Everton will not be the only side with cause to remember them when totting up the League points at the end of the season. They are fortunate indeed to have found such a capable deputy for the injured Lawrie, Leslie as former Arsenal and Luton goalkeeper Jim Standen. England left half Bobby Moore was the outstanding member of a fine West Ham defence while Johnny Byrne did much good work in the attack. Peter Brabrook, too, had his moments of brilliance. A feature of our short holiday at Llandudno has the hospitantly of the local people, particularly our hotel manager and his staff. From the time to time local youngsters equipped with autograph books captured our attention and some of them told me that they frequently travelled to Liverpool to watch us in action.
ON THE ORME
Much of the time was spent relaxing, but there were several long walks, a work-out at the Llandudno F.C ground on Monday afternoon and a run-cum-walk to the top of the Great Orme on Tuesday. Some of the boys also found time for a little golf and although I did not go with them, their praise of the local golf courses afterwards was to lavish that I can only surmise that they did pretty well. Congratulations to Spurs and their European Cup Winners Cup triumph over Rangers and particularly to Jimmy Greaves whose first goal in Tuesday evenings second leg was such a brilliant one. You may recall my headline last year "Spurs with Greaves can win the Cup." At the time I was talking about the F.A Cup, now I think it could apply to this European competition also.
FROM MALAYA
In this week's mail along with a card wishing Everton all the best for Christmas and the New Year comes a letter from Gunner R. Flynn, stationed with the Royal Artillery in Malaya. Gunner Flynn who comes from Bromborough, tells me that these are 10 Merseysiders in his unit-seven from Liverpool and two from Birkenhead. He asks me to pass on his congratulations to Brian Labone on being selected for England and this I will do and adds that he listens to the radio at 1.15 every Sunday morning for the results and reports of English League matches. A fuller report on how the Merseyside teams fared is obtained when the Football Echo arrives the following Friday. Gunner Flynn hopes to be home in July and needless to say I hope he gets his wish that the League championship Cup will be in the Goodison Park boardroom by then. Nearer home, an illustration from a Liverpool girl Eileen Christian of West Derby was among the many messages of good wishes for today's match against Burnley.

TO WEMBLEY ON A SHOESTRING
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 15 December 1962
SOCCER WITH THE STARS
By Billy Bingham
When I arrived at Luton just before the start of the 1958-59 season I took with me no extravagant hopes for the future. For me it was enough that I was still in the First Division. From my new club I expected no great exploits. Luton, a comparatively young club with only limited support, had spent most of their League career in the Third and Second Divisions. Somewhat to everyone's surprise, they had won promotion three years earlier and in the season before my arrival they had finished a very creditable eighth in the Division I table. But that was about as high as Luton could reasonably aspire to go. As for the F.A. Cup, they had never gone farther than the quarter-finals. After my first few weeks in the team I began to think I had underestimated my good fortune, for with 10 games played we were top of the First Division table. This is the kind of team that represented Luton in that period; Baynham; Dunne, Hawkes: Morton, Owen, Pacey: Bingham, Turner, Brown, Cummins, Adam. By the time another ten games had been played, however, the picture had completely charmed and I was beginning to wonder if my reprieve from Second Division football was to last no longer than one season. In the third round of the Cup we had been drawn at home to Leeds United, a club with an even less impressive Cup record than our own. We didn't expect much trouble and we didn't get any, crushing to a 5-1 win on a frost-bound ground that seemed to suit our unsophisticated style of play.
FROSTY PITCH
The next round, however, brought us up against a very different proposition- a visit to Leicester City. Once again we found ourselves on a frosty pitch and once again it seemed to suit more than our opponents, so much so that Baynham, in our goal, hardly touched the ball in the first half. Still, we didn't seem able to get a goal, and then, an so often happens, there was a breakaway and McNeill nodded Leicester into the lead We tried everything we knew to peg them back and eventually with no more than a quarter of an hour left, trainer Frank King signalled to me to move to centre forward. No one was more surprised than I when the switch paid off almost immediately, I saw a sudden gap between two defenders and shoved the ball through it and into the net literally with my big toe. After that we were glad enough to settle for a replay on our own little ground. We won the match 4-1to earn the right to visit Ipswich Town in the fifth round. Our briefing before this tie was that whatever else happened we were not to let them get an early goal against us. So much for briefings- Rees scored for Ipswich just 30 seconds after the kick-off! Within another minute, however, Dave Pacey, our half-back, had equalised, and after that we paralysed them with three goals- Morton, Bingham, and Gregory-in four minutes before the game was a quarter over. Final score; Ipswich 2, Luton 5. By the time the sixth round came along our confidence had flooded back in full measure, for of our last seven matches we had won five and drawn one. But we were by no means confident of our ability to put Luton into the semi-finals for the first time in their history, for we had been drawn away again, this time to the Cup favourities, Blakpool. There was no score in the first half and it looked as if one goal might be enough to decide it. We got that goal, too, when Bob Morton and I switched positions. George Farm, Blackpool's goalkeeper, fumbled a centre from Bob and I headed it into the net from the centre forward position. We thought that was us through to the last four without further ado, but in the dying seconds Blackpool got an equaliser out of the blue. Defences again, had the better of the replay on a dusty pitch, but 17 minutes from the end of one of the hardest matches we had all season Brown got the goal that put his old club out of the Cup and Luton into their first-ever semi-final. Not until after the match did we learn that our opponents would be the Third Division club, Norwich City, who that same evening were winning their replay against Sheffield United. They had already eliminated such notable opponents as Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Cardiff City.
MAN TO WATCH
On past form the man we had to watch was centre-forward Terry Bly, who had scored seven goals in the four previous rounds. As thing turned out, though, our centre-half was hardly put to the test in the first half, when we ran rings round Norwich. All we had to show for a brilliant display, however, was a single goal scored by Brown. After the interval Norwich gradually began to build up a counter-offensive and scored an equaliser when McCrohan floated a lob over Hawkes and Owen for Brennan, to score a coolly taken goal. After that it was nearly all Norwich, but the imperturbable Owen held our defence together. So it was another replay, this time on the Birmingham City ground. The teams were the same, but the game couldn't have been more different. Now it was Norwich who made all the running and why they didn't take the lead just on half-time I shall never know. Tragedy for this gallant Norwich team came ten minutes or so after half-time. A Gregory free-kick was headed out to Brown, who quickly put it back into the middle. There, Morton, with a cheeky back heel, gave me a wonderful chance—and I took it, to maintain my record of having scored in every round. With Syd Owen's inspiring steadiness and Ron Baynham's brilliance in goal, we weathered the Norwich storm to hold on for victory—and Wembley. Considering his record over the years. Gordon Turner must be accounted unlucky not to have played In the 1959 Final, but I think he himself would agree that Luton could not fairly have changed the team that had survived unchanged through all the previous rounds. Certainly we had no thought of defeat as the teams lined up for the start like this Luton Town. Baynham; McNally, Hawkes. Groves, Owen, Pacey: Bingham, Brown, Morton, Cummins, Gregory. Nottingham Forest. Thomson; Whare, McDonald: Whitefoot, McKinley, Burkitt: Dwight, Quigley, Wilson, Gray, Imlach.
BEWILDERED
For several minutes after the kick-off Luton played like a bewildered team- as indeed they were, Forest struck their game with a rapidity that no team had any right to do on such a nerve- racking occasion. They just took us by the scruff of the neck and there seemed nothing we could do about it. Goals had to come, and come they did. After nine minutes Dwlight ran on to a pulled-back pass from Imlach to score the first and five minute later Wilson made it 2-0 with a header from Gray's centre. For 25 minutes it was all Nottingham. Then, just as we were beginning to breathe a little easier, tragedy, so familiar a visitor to Wembley, struck Forest. Roy Dwight clashed with Brendan McNally and had to be carried out with a fractured shin, leaving his team to battle through the remaining 57 minutes with only ten men. With about half an hour to go, we won a corner on the left and Gregory, still unhappy about his play, asked me to take it. So I went across and was about to send a long one into the goalmouth when I saw Ken Hawkes, our left-back, moving up unmarked. Quickly changing my mind, I sent a short one to Ken, who hit it across the goalmouth, where left half Dave Pacey, up in attack almost for the first time, crashed it home. Now that there was only one goal in it, thought we should have thrown caution to the winds and gone all out for another goal, or maybe even two. After all, we would have been risking only a heavier defeat, which wouldn't have mattered if we see were going to lose, anyway. Here, I think, our captain Syd Owen was a little at fault for once. Having seen how dangerous Forest could be through the middle he seemed to want to keep his wing-halves close behind him, whereas my own feeling was that either Pacey or Groves should have been allowed to do more attacking. As It was,2-1 to Nottingham remained the score until the final whistle and, whatever small tactical mistakes may have been made, there is no denying that we had been beaten by a better team Two small consolations remained to us. One was that Syd Owen had been chosen Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association. The other was the touching demonstration of forgiveness we received from our own supporters for next day. On a drizzling Sunday afternoon they turned out in force to welcome us back to Luton Town hall and that made us feel, unjustifiably I suppose, that perhaps we hadn't done so badly after all. More Next Week. © Billy Bingham, 1962. From "Soccer with the Stars" published by Stanley Paul & co Ltd, London W1.

BURNLEY RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Saturday, December 15 1962
Burnley Res;- Thompson; Buxton; Walker, Crompton, Joyce, Meredith, Bellamy, Irvine, Robson, Towers. Everton Res;- Dunlop; Thomson (G), Parnell; Rees, Heslop, Sharples; Shaw, Harvey, Wignall, Webber, Morrissey. Referee; Mr. S. Collins (Leeds). Facing driving wind and rain, Everton were kept on the defensive, Dunlop having to race out of goal to beat Robson for possession. Harvey missed a good chance but Burnley's next attack Dunlop took a nasty crack from Bellamy. He resumed after attention and showed no further signs of the injury during the first half. Morrissey had to good run, but his centre was too high for Harvey. After a few minutes Robson gave Burnley the lead with a flying header. Thompson made a great save from a Parnel free-kick Shaw got the ball in the Burnley net after 35 minutes from the narrowest of angled but the goal was disallowed for offside. Thomson frequently joined the Everton attack and came near to laying on a goal for Harvey. Half-time; Burnley Res 2, Everton Res nil.

EVERTON ROAR ON
Liverpool Daily Post- December 17, 1962
GOODISON GOAL STORM SWEEPS BURNLEY ASIDE
EVERTON 3, BURNLEY 1
By Horace Yates
Everton will make worthy champions! To take three points from your two principal rivals in an away and a home game in a fortnight is title-winning form without any doubt, and as Burnley have now conceded 3-1 defeats on two occasions to Everton, defeats incidentally which make the four points difference between the positions of the teams in the table, Burnley must now rely on others if they are to re-enter the race. Tottenham, I believe, are made of sterner stuff, and if challenge there is to be, it will be Sours inspired. Those whose complain that while the Burnley game had its moments, even conceding many of them, it still did not completely live up to the highest expectations do the players something far less than justice. Considering the conditions, with rain squalls and a tempestuous wind which laughed outright at the attempts of mere mortals to combat it, this Goodison clash earned a high enough rating at least to leave me full of appreciation for genuine endeavour, skilfully applied. We were treated to the spectacle of two Everton goals in as many minutes, three in seven minutes, and close calls for both Everton and Burnley jammed into as eventful a slice as there is to be found to almost any game. This was excitement and entertainment at the highest level crowned by quality finishing from men with the super touch.
DEFENCE HARRIED
Some will maintain that as two Everton goals came from misdirected clearances by Burnley defenders that an element of good fortune served the home side well, but how unkind would be such a summary, for Everton were at Burnley's throats, so persistent and relentless that the defence was harried into clearance which left no time for precision. It has taken Denis Stevens a long time to be accepted by the crowd at Goodison Park, mainly because he stepped into the illustrious shadow left by Bobby Collins, a footballer, who at times was closely related to a magician and only another genius could have slipped in without roughening the surface. Now, Stevens is no genius but for sheer unflagging industry, courage and dedication to a task, with a most acceptable shooing boot thrown in now and again he has not only uprooted suspicious but has shown with crystal clearness that he has an important role to play in this season of attainment. When Talbut, molested by Young, could only head out Meagan's cross into the goalmouth there was Stevens to hammer, the ball into the net, without the slightest hesitation (17 minutes). It may have looked easy, simply because it was hit well, and yet from the most recent knowledge, we know only too well that all instantaneous reactions are not crowned with such success! It seemed that hardly had the crowd finished discussing the goal than there was another cheer, this time from the foot of Vernon (19 minutes), Parker it was who saw the Welshman exposed, and with commendable swiftness let the ball flow to him. Burnley were caught completely flat-footed and seemingly only Blacklaw realised the instant peril.
COOL VERNON
He succeeded in knocking down the first shot, but back it went to Vernon, and with the unhurried clam and a steadiness produced by experience. Vernon coolly slotted the ball unerringly between goalkeeper and post for a fine goal. Now this was finishing with a paralysing punch, that could have spelled heartbreak to any side, and yet in 24 minutes, Young had joined the scorers and sent the crowd into renewed frenzy. He had come bounding back as we knew he would with all the resilience of a rubber ball, and his delicate footwork, certainly of control and the ability to work the ball round a man in the minimum of space, were all contributions that reminded us of Young the artist- yes, and idol. Again it was Talbut whose headed clearance from Vernon went astray and there was Young leaping in to head a great goal. In 58 minutes the scoring was completed when McIIroy scored from Pointer's pass, but the match was nothing like as cut and dried as that. Both goals had their escapes, and it would have needed very little assistance to have made the final score 5-3- still in flavour of Everton. For the fact that the Burnley attack stuttered and spluttered instead of moving with the easy rhythm they show against so many teams the entire Everton defence earns credit. Labone kept a lively and not easily subdued Lochhead on a starvation diet of opportunity and Pointer, always a favourite of mine, has seldom had so little to show for his tilts with an opposition for when he wandered in an effort to shake himself clear of the leach-like Harris, he ran into opposition just as formidable at every turn. Once again it was Meagan the magnificent, and the infection is pleasantly spreading to Parker, while Gabriel tried so hard to score, with less success than he achieved in barring the way for others. Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall. Burnley; Blacklaw; Angus, Elder; Adamson, Talbut, Miller; Connelly, Porter, Lochhead, McIIroy, Harris. Referee; Mr. J. Finney (Hereford). Attendance 48,403

BURNLEY RES 1 EVERTON RES
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, December 17 1962
With more steadinesses in front of goal Everton could easily have taken a point from Burnley in this Central League game. But their shooting was too erratic. Shaw, who had a goal disallowed, was Everton's most constructive forward but all too often his colleagues wasted good openings. Apart from one mistake which let in Robson, the Everton rear-guard kept a tight hold on Burnley's lively forwards. Everton half-backs Rees, Heslop and Sharples, were outstanding, and only a top-class save stopped Rees from snatching a deserved equaliser.

GAME WHICH FULFILLED ALL ITS PROMISES
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express –Monday, December 17, 1962
By Leslie Edwards
A remarkable match, this in which Everton by beating Burnley by 3-1 for the second time this season went into a three points lead and proved their right to state as the season's best team to date. When has the wind swirled more viciously at Goodison Park? When before have policemen's helmets and the large metal number plates of the scoreboard found their way on to the pitch. When has the ball refused so often to sit "dead2 for goal-kicks and free kicks? And when in a meeting of Everton and Burnley is neither trainer needed to go on field? Add to these elemental things a super good sense refereeing by Mr. J. Finney of Hereford (last year's Cup Final official) and you have evidence that this for once, was a game which filled all its promises praise, then for all the players for the officials in charge and for everyone whose help on field or off, was aimed as ensuring hat that the customer got value of money. In tremendously difficult conditions the standard of play highlighted the players splendid control of the ball. Only when one left the shelter of the stands and stepped out into the near hurricane which had developed did on appreciate to how tricky it must have been to gale carried in rainstorms to make the players (asks even more nigmarish.
THE MORE DYNAMIC
As I saw it, Everton were the more dynamic side in more inspired. They had the match good as won inside 25 minutes with three goals, the last of which by Young sent 48,000 people half crazed with delight. They literal jumped for joy. It was the most dramatic sequel to an goal I have seen for seasons-possible because the man who scored it was the one, who walked haniefacedly on the ground the week before to jeers and derision. When Young rose to head that remarkable goal did it with the zest and determination of a Gabriel. I confess that when je rocketed the ball past Blacklaw my first impression was that the half-backs had been the here. Never before has Young "punched" a header with such power never has he riser to a chance with greater drive. It was a glorious moment for him for us. By this time Burnley must have had no trouble that they were the inferior side. What happened afterwards may have restored their faith but the produced only one goal from wave after wave of attack in the second half at taking the match on the whole there can be no trouble that Everton are the better side. Their football may be as smooth and well-ordered as Burnley's but they have drive when it is more needed and an air of urgency' which Burnley lacked. The exceptional inclines of Everton made the others seem pedestrian by comparison. Yet on the day the game tended to run Everton's way. Burnley had three goals chances –and missed them at by inches within three minutes of Everton going 16; 30. They also finished strongly and came close to making the margin one of a goal. Even before Everton scored West has proved himself with two or three good saves of a ball which was wet and must have tended to swerve in the high wind.
MEAGAN'S GREAT PART
Everton won because both Vernon and Young had an exceptionally good-day. After Stevens –a great grafter – had put his side ahead, Vernon denied by Blacklaw off his first shot collected rebound and calmly shot it low into the small space left available by the goalkeeper. Young came along shortly afterwards with his rocketing header from a headed clearance by Talbut (who had provided Stevens with his chance the same way and any tension there might have been among Everton played was removed before the same was a half hour old. In normal conditions nearly 70,000 would have attended. Now 48,000 huddled as far as they could get under the shelter of the stands endured showers of rain for one of the most satisfying games –clean sustained exciting and having extraordinary football content considering the handicaps imposed by weather. How the crowd rose to the gallant little Meagan. He rushed the ball well the scarcely ever let the England and Burnley flyer, Connolly get in and he went up-field as occasions demanded to show that if you possess a football brain you can play anywhere momentarily and get away with it. Labone too was outstanding. Labone got no goal- he may have been a little unlucky not to- and Burnley were confined to the one McIIroy hooked in cleverly with West appearing to get both hands to the shot but being unable to prevent it finding the net near the goal angle. The Burnley goalkeeper was kept busy having some notable at the feet of the shooter saves to his credit. West once again had the more difficult too of being effective and brave after long (and I suspect cold spells of inaction.
ELDER STATEMAN
Only Bingham whose Northern Ireland team fellow Elder had such a brilliant day, fell short of standard in the Everton attack. He had a match in which nothing would go right. Elder was undoubtedly the main reason. Veall, with a cheeky-chappy winging sent his growing reputation soaring. It was an Everton team effort fiery but never foul, which really produced victory against opponents who can rate only seemed to Tottenham. Ironical both sides did best when faced by the wind, Burnley after seeming beaten beyond hope revived more and more after the interval and at last threatened not only to get a second goal, but to make a grandstand finish of it. Harris was excellent so was Adamson, whose walking pace half back stale makes him the Blanchflower of the North. He usually comes through with the ball indeed. Burnley in this half proved the quality as big commanding men who refused to loss possession to Everton's terrier-like tackling. Burnley lacked the spark of inspiration which Everton found not once, but three times, in the first half-hour. Three goals to one was a just verdict. And now with half the programme ended who can prevent Everton becoming champions? Echo answers from Anfield "Liverpool." At the present rate of progress and with a fixture against Everton at Anfield the chance is there but on the evidence of the match against Burnley it does not seem likely that Everton will have more than or two defeats on the run-in. Injuries apart, it looks as though it's all over bar the celebrating.

SCOT CAN GO- EVERTON MOVE FAST
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Wednesday, December 19, 1962
INTERNATIONAL WINGER
RANGERS STAR
By Leslie Edwards
When I asked Everton manager, Mr. Harry Catterick this morning, whether there was any likelihood of his club signing Alex Scott, Rangers and Scottish international right winger, he said; "We are interested in all good players but as this one is not yet for transfer cannot make any comment. Two hours later, news that Rangers had decided to Scott's request –and also that of their wing half- back Jim Baxter-was recently in Liverpool. One of the first to hear of it the Everton manager. Within a few minutes he was en route with the chairman of the club Mr. John Moore. Such quick action following news of Rangers action can mean only one thing. Making the announcement Scot Symon, Rangers manager said that priority would be given to any club offering suitable players either in exchange or part exchange. Scott holder of 11full caps and five times included in Scotland's team last season cannot get into his club side at the moment, but Baxter's is the regular left half and considered one of the best players in his position in Great Britain.
LIVELY WINGER
The Everton player in command at outside right at the moment by Billy Bingham, a great club player holding more than 50 caps for Northern Ireland. Everton have said that they would like to duplicate strength in every position. They have also said that they are always prepared to strengthened their team if the right players became available. Scott a lively fast-moving winger has sought a transfer for many months. Rangers resolutely refused to give way to his request until today. The Scottish club are as rich as many of their English counterparts for players and money. It is strange to find Scott and Baxter listed after the club had not long ago agreed the transfer to Liverpool of their reserve wing half-back, Billy Stevenson. Scott has been kept out of the Rangers first team most of the season by Henderson, the player who has also taken over Scott's place in the national eleven.

SPURS FANCY JIM BAXTER ABD ALEX SCOTT
Liverpool Daily Post- Thursday December 20, 1962
EVERTON KEEPINGSILENCE OVER DEPOSED SCOTTISH OUTSIDE-RIGHT
By Horace Yates
Scottish international outside right Alex Scott for Everton and Scottish international left half Jim Baxter, for Spurs! That was the most popular fore-cast last night following the announcement by Glasgow Rangers earlier in the day that they had acceded to requests from the players to be put on offer. In addition, two lesser known players-full back Bobby King and inside forward Willie Penman –were also named as available for transfer at their own request. My information is that Spurs are interested in both knowing full well that successful negotiations would mean writing out a cheque for about £95,000 supposing that Ranger's manager, Mr. Scott Symons could be persuaded to forget his statement that priority would be given to any club offering suitable players in exchange or part exchange. In any case few clubs are better situated than Spurs to meet the requirement if indeed it can be met. With little more than a fortnight remaining for new registrations to be eligible for the F.A. Cup games on January 5 as a last report the power of the purse might be decisive even with Rangers who are not exactly poor relations. Ace negotiators, like Everton's Harry Catterick and Tottenham's Billy Nicholson belong to the old school who believe that the time to announce intentions is when they have been achieved.
NO COMMENT
Possibly that was why last night there was a complete refusal by Mr. Catterick to discuss the position in any shape or form with Mr. Nicholson opening up only just sufficiently to say "I have no comment." When Scott's name has been mentioned in Everton circles it has always been with the respect due to an able player and although there was no immediate dash to Scotland by Mr. Catterick my view is that Everton will be keeping in the closest touch with Rangers in the next few days. One is not in dispute –Mr. Catterick's frequent visits to Scotland have enabled him to learn all he needs to know about Scott who is twenty-five. Even though he keeps his own counsel there is no shadow of a doubt that Mr. Catterick himself would know immediately whether or not Scott could do anything for Everton that Billy Bingham cannot do. It will be a stiff fee that will part Scott and Rangers just as will be the case with Baxter, but this will hardly worry Everton, if they consider a player in the man they want no club is better situated (other than possibly Spurs to begin the chase. The Leicester manager Mr. Matt Gillies said, "I will probably make an inquiry about the fee that rangers want for Scott," but if Everton or Spurs should be interested that news would scarcely cause them alarm. From Scotland I was told that Everton, Spurs, and Leicester City have all previously made known an interest in Scott who was Scotland's right winger until this season, when he was displaced from both the Rangers and Scotland's teams by Willie Henderson. He has eleven full caps and played for Scotland five times last season.
As Scott's valuation will be around £40,000 to £45,000, it would require a cheque approaching the value of that signed for Jimmy Greaves for any club to take the pair.
EVERTON AT HOME IN YOUTH CUP
The draw for the third round of the F.A Youth Challenge Cup to be played for January 12, Everton play Sheffield United.

SCOTT; NO EVERTON MOVE YET
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express –Thursday December 20, 1962
BAXTER COULD COST £85,000
TRANSFER LISTED
By Leslie Edwards
Though Glasgow Rangers have granted the transfer requests of half-back Baxter and outside right Scott it does not follow that these players will leave the club. I understand that Rangers will leave the club. I understand that Rangers have already langhed at a £50,000 offer for Baxter by a London club; the feeling of experts in England is that £70,000 will be required for Scott and £85,000 for Baxter. The left that player exchange as part of the deal has been limited at suggests that it may be almost impossible for any club in England to meet Rangers requirements. Everton manager Harry Catterick has not so far been in touch with Rangers about Scott Everton interest in Baxter is non-existent.
MORRISSEY FIT
All the Everton players are including Johnny Morrissey out of the team for some weeks with a pulled muscle. Mr. Catterick will decide his team for the match at Sheffield against Wednesday tomorrow. It the going is very heavy as is likely Morrissey may get his place on the left.

ONE REFEREE'S WHISTLE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express –Thursday December 20, 1962
By Leslie Edwards
Just when spectators of our two grounds are starving to live down ill-repute earned for them. By a tiny minority a few misbehaving fans are doing their best to create a new reputation for bad sportsmanship. At the Everton v. Burnley game, several times in the second half when Burnley where attacking a referee's whistle was sounded by someone on the terraces. There seemed to me to be a momentarily that on the part of all players they realised that the blast did not come from the referee. Manager Harry Catterick heard the unofficial whistling and was disturbed by it. Like me be wonders why offers in the crowd allow anyone to persist in such stupidity. Another point Mr. Catterick makes concerning the lifting of footballs by the crowd when they are shot wide of goals in the prematch kick in. We give opposing teams enough ammunition to enable them to give opposing teams enough ammunition to enable to throw the ball back to them. So far this season a dozen practice balls have been taken by spectators. At £5 a time this represents a considerable loss, but the Everton manager is more concerned with the principle of fair play, for visiting ides. Everton have such a good team and spectators have been so appreciative of the good play of opponents at Goodison Park this season it as unfortunate that fine record should be spoiled by the unthinking few. If we could ever ensure (but how) that visiting tears were greeted at the outset by cheers rather than jeers from boys in their special enclosure we should do further towards the aim of being among the fairest football crowds in Britain.
ONLY £20...
Everton players, I understand were disappointed at the attendance of 48,000 for the Burnley match. The weather of course was so vile in the morning many would not risk a drenching in the afternoon. The crowd bonus for 48,000 would be in the neighbourhood of £20 per player with £4 for a win, Everton first teams bonus money would amount to about £24. How pleased players of any other Football League club would be to find this much extra in their wages packets. How does the Everton manager view prospects of winning the League and what are the reactions to his side's performance so far this season. He says. By and large this side was got together in the last three years. It needed time to be down. There have been a few since I took bye- the incomings of Gordon West and Dennis Stevens the translation to the full back position of Mick Meagan and the incoming of young Veall. Time has helped the team to nature to give his consistency I know they must have before honour could come. At their best they are capable of winning almost any tournament. But we're always trying in improve the side. I don't make forecasts prefer to treat each match on its merits. If we can collect as many points in the second half of the season we did in the first two sturdy win in the League. But every match we play now as leaders is a tough one. "The game on Saturday against any old club will be that because Wednesday made several managers for their mate last Saturday-it was postponed –and well by most anxious to see them work satisfactorily.
PRAISE FOR EVERTON
Mr. T.W H. Pritchard of Alaunia, Bushell Road Neston says. I'll rate as one who has supported Everton almost from the cradle. I hasten to add that to turn the good name of the club and the attractiveness of the football played is of far more importance than the actual collection of points. "All the same time it is good to see the club at its present position, and to know that the first team is admitted by leading critics to be one of the best in the land. Subject to injuries of a large scale being avoided I believe that the season will see Everton among the honour because first of all they have skill aided by the determination of top paid players. I would like to pay tribute to Manager Catterick who must have full credit for his ability and act, Mr. Catterick is not given to wishful thinking but has pressed his business acumen and his sound common season sense. He has also shown that he is manager in every sense of the word. Your own unoused comments are always interesting I am not always in agreement with your opinions, put nevertheless I believe you report facts as you see them thus carrying on the work of Bee. Finally, long may Alex Young continue to deliver with his craftsmanship. He really is a footballer in the highest sense of the word, and well worthy of taking place in a world as once suggested by Mr. Carey. Goodison is lucky to have such as artist, such a genius.

ROY VERNON SAYS...
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, December 21 1962
EVERTON TOP TARGET FOR ALL CONCERNED
Well, it's a thousand to one you will be expecting me to tell you this week that it is all over bar the shouting and that Everton are as good as past the post- and in first place. Although I have to disappoint you loyal Evertonians, I am not going to say it- yet...why? Because it just isn't true at this stage. That championship still has to be won and while every member of the Everton team is convinced that we will get there in the end, every man jack of us knows that a tremendous lot of hard graft lies ahead. I like you no doubt, set pleasure and encouragement from the thought that a team which can shoot to the top and stay there to the half way stage, has a first-class chance of completing the journey, the half way placing have an uncanny knack of being right or nearly right when the programme is complete. Look at it this way, if you and I think Everton are potential champions, then many other clubs and their supporters are probably thinking along the same lines. That means that from now on we are the top target for every side. To beat Everton is probably their greatest hope of glory this season.
GLITTERING PRIZE
That target of being the first club to win at Goodison for more than a year must look like a glittering prize to all challengers so that home and away we know we shall have to prove ourselves champions to make hopes come true. Our supporters take great pleasure in hitting back at the Liverpool followers when they start pointing to their recent (and here let me congratulate them on a wonderful recovery. Let's hope they keep going to February 9, if you see what I mean) by asking them how many teams they have beaten in the top half of the table? It would appear to be an embarrassing question, were it not for the fact that two points are two points no matter against which team they are earned. We have beaten every team in the top half of the table except Aston Villa and whisper this one, Liverpool both of whom learned drawn at Goodison. So what, reply Liverpool! They bring up names like Fulham, Leyton and Blackburn, and we have to admit there is a hit of a nasty taste I merely seek to prove that the positions of clubs are not always as infallible guide.
LEAVE IT TO HIM
Did you notice Everton's ace forecaster was at work again at Goodison Park last Saturday. Three blue balloons were planted in the Stanley Park goal as we came on to the field- and our three goals were scored at that end. This has happened in at least three matches this season, but at Bolton and Blackburn there were only two. Of course, our forecaster might also claim-without fear of contradiction-that he was also correct at White Hart lane for there were no balloons in either net there! This is not an invitation to everybody to start slacking the goals with blue balloons. Let's leave it to the chap who started it. He seems to know how many beans make six. Sporting Jimmy Adamson, congratulating us, after the Burnley game paid tribute to the roar of encouragement, Everton received from the crowd. "What an inspiration that must be coming just when you need it most," he said. He's bang on target of course. We have been saying this for a long time. Don't get Jimmy wrong. He wasn't moaning that the Burnley crowd don't cheer, but was just saying that ours was something exceptional. They could put any of the Everton players on transfer and still not get anything like as much as if the Goodison crowd ever went up for sale! They have been champions for a long time. How nice to think this could be our season for sharing the title with them! During the second half of the Burnley game I went in to challenge Adam Blacklaw in goal and one of the defenders must have thought I was a little keen. He said. What do you want? Blood You're three up, you know "I know," replied "Tottenham were four up against you but you still got a draw. You are getting nothing here." I would like to pay a tribute to the referee-Mr. J. Finney of Hereford. He was a master of his job. He controlled the game so quietly he was hardly noticed and when he had any words of advice to offer they were given quietly in an aside as play went on. No wonder he was given the Cup final last season.
EVERTON NEWS
There was no Everton comment last night for a report that they will be represented at Chesterfield's game against Exeter City tomorrow with a view to assessing the worth of right back Albert Holmes.

EVERTON TO TRAIN ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Friday, December 21 1962
ARSENAL AT GOODISON
TEAM CHOICE
By Leslie Edwards
It will be business as usual for Everton professional players on Christmas morning. They will report to the ground for an hour's light exercise in preparation for the match the following day against Arsenal at Goodison Park. Manager Harry Catterick said today. "We shall treat Tuesday as the Friday before a match. I don't want our players to go two days without training. Mr. Catterick disciple that extra seating for some 7,000 people will be constructed at Goodison Park next close season –and none of them in the stand. Eventually the club will be able to see 22,000 spectators. Seating is to be introduced under cover on the higher terracing being the Bullens Road's stand. The renovation of existing stand seating is already taking grace week by week.
NO CHANGE
The Everton team against Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow, shown no change, Morrissey now fit gets a run with the reserve side. Owing to a throat infection Sheffield Wednesday right winger Wilkinson will be unable to play. His place will be taken by Eddie Holiday. Sheffield Wednesday; Springett; Johnson, Magson, McAnearney, Swan, Kay; Holiday, Quinn, Hayes, Fantham, Dobson. Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall.

ALEX YOUNG GETS LATE EQUALISER FOR EVERTON
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Saturday, December 22 1962
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2, EVERTON 2
By Michael Charters
Sheffield Wed;- Springett; Johnson, Megan, McAnearney, Swan, Kay; Holiday, Quinn, Layne, Fatham, Dobson. Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall. Referee- Mr. K.H. Burns (Dudley). The lights were on from the start on a very misty day and the pitch had quite a thick covering of frost. The pitch was very treacherous, with the half bouncing unevenly and the players finding it difficult to keep their footing. First incident of note was when Layne slipped past Labone and hit a terrific shot from 20 yards which West saved superbly. The ball was never property, cleared until Harris put it away for a corner. Everton's first dangerous attack followed a great piece of work by Gabriel and Vernon, who was fouled by Swan inches outside the area, Bingham fighted the free kick cleverly and almost deceived Springett who made a brilliant last second save by punching the ball on to the crossbar and collecting the rebound. Another good Everton raid saw Bingham made a centre which Vernon headed against the crossbar.
WONDERFUL CHANCE
The odds were against defences trying to turn quickly on the treacherous turf and Quinn had a wonderful chance to score but shot over the bar from 10 yards. Considering the conditions both teams were providing some excellent entertainment. Layne was giving Labone considerable trouble and he created an opening down the left, but when he centred Holiday could not control the bouncing ball. Wednesday had been just the better side in the opening stages and they took the lead after 20minutes with a first class goal from Quinn the former Prescot Cables player who is home on leave from his army unit in Germany. The more began with a rather slow motion left wing attack between Dobson and Kay, and when Kay pushed the ball inside, Quinn hit a great shot from the edge of the penalty area to beat West easily. Wednesday were putting just that little more fire and purpose into their game than Everton who were finding it difficult to build up their attacks in their normal skilful way as the conditions were all against the short pass. It was Wednesday who were adopting the better tactics of swinging the ball about, with some first time shooting at the end of it.
SUPERB SAVES
West made a superb save from Dobson when he only had a split second to judge the ball as it came through a crowd of players and there was no doubt that Wednesday were playing with great confident and drive. Springett punched away a free kick from Gabriel but the Wednesday goalkeeper after his early save from Bingham, had little to do. Quinn and Layne were Wednesday's best forwards and their quick raiding often had Everton's defence at full stretch. Both Harris and Bingham were spoken to after fouls, and Everton were rattled by this strong moving Wednesday side.
WEST AGAIN
West who had been playing splendidly, made another superb save from a header by Layne after the Everton defenders had been unable to clear. There was not much challenge by Everton's forwards at this stage and we had seen very little of Vernon and Young, Springett had a simple save to make from a Bingham header which was about all the work he had to do for the closing 15 minutes of this half, and there was no doubt that Wednesday deserved their lead. Half-time; Sheffield W 1, Everton nil.
Everton restarted with Stevens putting a long range shot over the bar and then Springett nearly intercepted a pass intended for Vernon near the edge of the penalty area. Labone was finding Layne the must difficult opponent he had faced this season. The tall centre forwards was a constant source of trouble to Everton. West made yet another splendid save from a free kick by Dobson and Wedy were still showing their new brand of enthusiasm and zest. Six minutes after the half time Everton were on level terms with a real surprise goal from Stevens. It followed a free kick awarded for a foul by Swan on Stevens. Harris took the kick and floated it to the far side of the goal, where Bingham completely mis-hit his attended angled shot and the ball rolled slowly on to Stevens, who turned it over the line. Wednesday protested that Stevens and Vernon were off-side but the goal stood. The scoreboard at this ground gave Gabriel as the scorer in the goalmouth mix up, and in the mist it was difficult to be certain, but the Everton players congratulated Stevens.
LOOKED RATTLED
Everton came more into the game after their goal and Wednesday looked rattled for the first time. Gabriel, who I thought had been Everton's best player, almost gave away a goal with an attempted back pass to West, but the goalkeeper just clutched the ball as Kay came in at express speed. Vernon had to have attention from the trainer after he had collided with Springett on the edge of the penalty area. A bad pass by Johnson let in Stevens, but when he dragged the ball back Vernon could not control it. After 66 minutes Layne scored the goal he had been threatening to get all afternoon. Meagan needlessly conceded a corner on the right and from Holiday's kick, Layne moved in completely unchallenged and nodded the ball down just inside the upright. Fouls by Young on McAnearney and Stevens on Kay had the crowd chanting "off, off, off." Kay and Stevens shook hands after Kay had received attention.
CROWD INCENSED
Harris had his name taken for kicking the ball away after the referee had placed it for a free kick for Wednesday and the crowd were incensed at some Everton tackles at this stage. Wednesday were now on top again as they had been in the first half. Everton's attempts at keeping the ball close the variably misfired and it seemed obvious that the first time pass was the correct gambit. When Everton flung the ball upfield, the Wednesday defence was usually the master.
ALMOST THROUGH
Layne was almost through again for another headed goal but Harris somehow intercepted and turned the ball away for a corner. From Holiday's kick, Quinn made a splendid header which seemed to be sneaking in just inside the upright only for West to make a great save. Four minutes from the end Gabriel made a run down the right wing and when he crossed the ball Vernon was able to get in a firm shot from the left which Springett pushed out only to see Young move in and hit the ball into the net. Immediately afterwards Bingham had a chance to score but hit his shot straight into Springett's arms. Final; Sheffield Wednesday 2, Everton 2. Official attendance 28,279
Lancashire League
Everton A 6 Tranmere R A 1
Everton B 2, Tranmere R B 1

EVERTON MAKING HABIT OF RAPID SCORING
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express –Saturday, December 22, 1962
By Alex Young
Our three goals in seven minutes proved a knock-out blow to Burnley's hopes at Goodison Park last Saturday and although the turf Moor side got a goal back after the interval, my opinion is that Everton won with something in hand. It is not the first time that a quick burst of scoring had settled the result of a match in our favour at Goodison this season, for if memory serves me correctly, we scored two goals within a couple of minutes in the game against Manchester United, Sheffield United and Ipswich in addition, I recall that Everton scored just before and just after half time against West Bromwich. Last Saturday, however, I feel that it was not just those three quick goals which put paid to Burnley but also the great roar of support from the Everton fans which accompanied them. This Goodison roar is a tremendous boost when you are playing with it behind you but I think it must be an absolute night mare to a visiting side trying to fight back against a two or three goal deficit. Burnley were I thought a little disappointing for had it not been for three exceptionally courageous dives by goalkeeper Adam Blacklaw they might easily have left the field at half time six goals behind and not three. Everton's victory, like all our better performances this season was a real team effort although I don't think the rest of the boys will mind me picking out two defenders, Mick Meagan and Brian Labone for special mention.
EVEN BETTER
Mick has probably never played a better game in the full back position, while Brian appear to have become an even better player since he received international recognition. Indeed England's new centre half seems to be thriving on the added responsibility. Our display proved what a wonderful tonic that Llandudno holiday was, and showed that even that tough run to the top of the Great Orme was of benefit. Trainer Tom Egglestone should not get the wrong idea from this, however, for I think the trip in the Great Orme is a treat which he should give as only once a season. I would like to say a word of thanks here to the many fans who sent messages of good wishes before the Burnley match and also those who wrote telling me not to get upset about the happenings of the previous Saturday. After our fine meeting with Burnley at the beginning of the season, you will remember me commenting on how strange it was to see the four goals being shared one each by English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh players, and wondered what the odds were against this opening. Well, as you no doubt deserved the same thing occurred in the return match. The question now is can any reader recall this happening before between the same two teams during the same season, I rather doubt it, but you never know!
NOTABLE DOUBLE
One man who appear to knew the result of the Burnley match before it started is our winger Billy Bingham, who correctly forecast the score during a television interview. Billy made it a notable double for the footballing forecasters, for a few weeks and I heard Dave Mackay of Tottenham, correctly forecast the final score before his side met Rangers. Arsenal provide the opposition at Goodison Park on Boxing Day and next Saturday we visit Highbury for the return fixture. I remember our game at Highbury last season was a real thriller and if these two meetings came up to this standard then everyone will be satisfied. Arsenal, with such experts as ex-England centre half Billy Wright as manager, and ex-Evertonian Leslie Shannon as coach, are a good footballing side who could give us a very hard game, if they strike their best form. Arsenal have spent a lot of money buying players in recent years without really finding the right blend, but I think that it may only be a matter of time now before they really become a force to be reckoned with. For ours sake, I know any revival is left until 1963.
TITLE DEBATE
A few weeks ago, on television I heard Danny Blanchflower of Tottenham and Jimmy McIIroy, of Burnley, debating the various qualities of their respective sides. Well, Danny and Jimmy can go on talking a long as they like about this topic, so long as Everton win the championship, but after playing against both teams recently I think the White Hart lane are our main championship rivals. Apart from Spurs and Burnley, I think a side we must keep a wary eye on to Aston Villa a team that could also enjoy a good run in the Cup. During the season I have been very much impressed by Young Everton supporters who have written to tell me about the mileage they cover watching their team, and this week's post contained a reminder from Mr. J.E. Sharples of Liverpool 9 that many older Everton fans also have records of loyalty to this team of which they can be very proud. Mr. Sharratt who is 76, says he has supported Everton since the days they played at Anfield. He included a list of Football League grounds he has visited while following Everton's fortunes and although it is too-lengthy to give here. I've totalled them up and there are over 50. May I end by wishing all Everton supporters a very Happy Christmas and add I hope that we can give them another special occasion to celebrate in the New Year.

SENT OFF TWICE IN NEW YORK TOURNEY
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Saturday December 22, 1962
Soccer With The Stars
By Billy Bingham
When I signed for Everton, Manager Johnny Carey explained to me that he had been forced to look for another wing because Tommy Ring his Scottish international outside left, who had broken his leg in a match against Chelsea, looked like being out of action for a long time. His plan, he said, was to switch Mickey Lill, the regular right-winger, to the left (Lill had agreed to this, he said) and bring me in at outside right. As my first match for Everton was against Fulham at Craven Cottage, I made my debut in the famous blue shirt without first having reported to Goodison Park. First impressions of my new team were more than favourable, for we won 3-1, and I immediately struck up a good understanding with my wing partner Bobby Collins. Our style's seemed to blend perfectly and I looked forward to the games ahead with relish. First, though there was a matter of making a close-acquaintance with Merseyside. Almost my only knowledge of Liverpool at that time was what I had seen on my visit with Sunderland and Luton and as this consisted of nothing more than the walk from Lime Street Station to the Adelphi Hotel and the coach ride from the Adelphi to Goodison or Anfield, even they proudest Liverpudlian will forgive my saying that the prospect was a little less than enchanting. It was not to be long however before I realised that Liverpool had a lot to recommend it, even inside from the fact that it is a home-from-home for the Irish Liverpool is one of those cities that grow on one and now I thoroughly enjoy working there and living there- or rather at Great Crosby.
FAMALIAR SOIL
It was not long either before I recognised in the people of Merseyside the same enthusiasm for football as I had noticed among the Wearsiders. I felt I was back on familiar soil from the moment I arrived at Goodison Park to report for training. The players entrance is nothing very inspiring to look at but as I pressed the old latch on the door I couldn't help wondering how many players before me had done the same and what their thoughts were. Names like Eglington, Farrell, Fielding, Sagar, Dean, Britton, Stevenson, Mercer, Lawton, and Cresswell flitted through my mind until the creaking of that ancient door woke me from my daydream, only to be taken at once back into the past again when the first person I met was Harry Cooke, Everton's trainer for the last 50 years. With his craggy old face Mr. Cooke somehow seemed almost a part of the building. Harry Cooke had seen them all come and go- players, managers and directors alike- but I was one of the few he saw only arrive because he has since retired with his memories. In the first eight games after I had joined them Everton were beaten only once-and shouldn't have been beaten at all if justice had been done because our one defeat was by Arsenal at Highbury in a game where we had enough had luck to last us the season. Still those eight games did nothing to improve Everton's championship chances. The great Tottenham side of that season were walking away with the title. At the time of my arrival at Goodison, Everton were fourth, six points behind Spurs, eight weeks later, having dropped only four points we had moved up to second place, but the margin had grown to eight points. Our last chance of giving Spurs a run for their money came and went on December 17, when despite fog and the counter-attraction of Christmas shopping, a crowd of 61,000 turned up at Goodison and saw us beaten 2-1 by Tottenham. This was Alex Young's first League game for Everton since his transfer along with George Thomson from Hearts. From that point things started to go wrong for us. We managed to share the points with Burnley, who were our rivals for the runners-up position, in the two Christmas games, but we slumped to fifth place is the table on the last day of 1960 when we were hammered 4-1 at Leicester. Worse was to come, the Saturday after for to the consternation of all Merseyside we made a quick exit from the F.A Cup, beaten 1-0 on our own ground to Sheffield United, the Second Division leaders.
BAD START
As the League slump continued unchecked, 15 points being dropped out of 18 at one stage there was also criticism of the £55,000 deal with Hearts for Young and Thomson. Though this was eventually shown to be money well spent there is no denying that both players made a bad start with Everton. Young had knee ligament trouble which wasn't helped by the fact that the Army didn't give him much rest from football. Once he was demobbed and able to get down to full-time training Alex soon showed us what he could do. One of the most beautifully balanced players in the game, with a knack of seeming to more effortlessly past opponents. Alex creates more opening for others than he does for himself. In this he is a complete contrast with the traditional Everton centre forward which is the spearhead type like Dean, Catterick, Lawton, Dodds and Hickson. In particular he fits in well with Roy Vernon, who is essentially a "striker" inside forward and I dare say Roy himself would admit that he owes half his goals to openings created by Young. My own opinion about Alex is that in English football if he was dedicated enough and was preserved with he could develop into one of the best inside forwards in the game today. Everton's nightmare of injuries and poor results on heavy grounds finally came to an end in time for us to finish the season almost in a blaze of glory. But the big event of this period at Goodison was the departure of Johnny Carey. This came as a bombshell to the players, for though there had been a few rumours while we were doing badly, we had all forgotten about tem once we started picking up points again. Mr. Carey was very popular in the dressing-room and I can tell you we all felt pretty choked when we went out to play Cardiff at Goodison a few hours after the story had been made public. All that Mr. Moores, told us after the game was. "The king is dead. Long live the king." The new king, we discovered the following Monday was Mr. Harry Catterick, himself a former Everton player, who only a week earlier had resigned from the managership of Sheffield Wednesday. In mid-day we flew to Canada to play in the first section of the New York international tournament which was to involve us in a match against each of the other seven clubs in our half of the draw, some of the games to be played in Montreal and the rest in New York. The top team in each section would then qualify for the final to be played in New York later in the summer. Our welcome in Montreal was wonderful, for we were accommodated in a beautiful, newly built hotel and the Canadian football authorities looked after us to perfection. But that was to be about the beginning and the end of our enjoyment of this little adventure. In our very first match against a cosmopolitan Montreal Concordia side, which included Brazilian, Argentinian and British players among others, we ran into the worst possible example of the trouble created when two opposing teams have a different interpretation of the rues and the referee a third. This, I suppose we should have been prepared for, but we were entitled to be surprised to find that our opponents seemed to think butting was permissible. It was this, apparently the favourite tactic of some of the Montrel players that sparkled off the worst brawl of a match I have played in.
RETALIATED
I have a good personal reason to remember this game because I was sent off for the first time to my career when I retaliated after an opponent had tried to butt me (through, in fact, he succeeded only in grazing my nose.) I would like to have said that it was the only occasion on which I have been sent off, but as you will see there was worse to come. We beat Kilmarnock the Scottish League team, fairly easily 2-1 in a much more orthodox second match and then it was time to move on to New York. This was where the shoe really began to pinch. Our first shock was to find that the organisers had booked us- and about half a dozen other teams-into a second-class hotel, which in fact, was little better then a hostel. I was frankly horrified with my room, which was no place for an athlete to spend three hot weeks in June, if only for the fact that the one small window looked straight on to a blank wall. After Mr. Catterick and one of our directors had looked at the accommodation and had complained to the hotel management we were shown into rooms that were slight better, but we were still very dissatisfied and eventually it was decided we should move to a better hotel on Broadway. As there was no provision for this in the contract with the tournament organisers, the bill had to be footed by the Everton club and I imagine they cannot have got out of it for much under £1,000. There was a big German element in the crowd at the Polo Grounds to see us beat Karlruhe 5-2; two days later we chalked up our fourth win out of four by beating Dynamo of Rumania 4-0. Then came the big test, against Bangu of Brazil, who had won the competition the previous year beating Kilmarnock in the final. The match was played on fantastic heat-over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the stadium someone said-and we were right off form. Once again we were given some rough treatment with me as one of the chief targets. The Bangu left back had been having a kick at me when he could right from the start, but it was when their left winger joined in that I lost my head for the second time in less than three weeks. It happened after the winger had blatantly taken a kick at me after the ball had gone, and then took hold of my shirt. Exasperated, I gave him my fist and he went down for a count of about 20. That was marching orders for me again and it was a very chastened and regretful Bingham who took the long walk, having twice blotted a previously unblemished record. The Brazilians won 2-0 and my departure had no bearing on the result. After one more match in New York, when we returned to form to beat the Turkish side Besiktas 4-0 we all thankfully departed once more for Montreal for our final match of the qualifying series. In this we crushed the New York Americans (actually mainly made up of British players 7-0 and that left us top of the table and into the final. We had scored 23 goals in the seven matches, Bobby Collins being top scorer with eight and I second with five. After that it was back home for a short rest while the second section was played and them all the way back to New York for the two-leg final against the other qualifies Dukla Prague (Czechoslovakia). Though Dukla have since become to the British public, at that time they were quite an unknown quantity. But we soon found out more than we cared to know, in fact I propose to draw a veil over the rest of our New York venture as quickly as is decently possible. Dulka with a side packed with Czech internationals were far too good for us in the first leg. Four goals up very quickly, they eventually won 7-2 and the only excuse we could offer was that Alex Young was hurt after five minutes and was limping on the left wing for the rest of the game.
LOST GROUND
For the second game we devised new tactics that we thought would give us a better chance, but once again we lost a man –centre forward Frank Wignall was off all the second half-and we lost 2-0. With a full team I think we might have got a draw, but that is as much as can be said for us. So ended an experience none who took part in it will be anxious to repeat. I had gone to North America hoping to find that soccer had strengthened its grip in the New World since my previous visit to 1955, rather more extensive tour of Canada and the United States. It was obviously that in the intervening six years baseball had certainly lost a good deal of ground, but everyone said this was mainly due to the competition of television. On the other hand, American football was still packing them in. Soccer, as far as I could tell, was still chiefly played and supported by European immigrants and their families and the stronger on the eastern board with New York as the main venture. The crowds looked no bigger than they had been six years earlier and as far as the New York tournament was condemned they were drawn largely from a big German element of the city's population. No doubt a good many other people were introduced to the game by television, but my own strong impression is that soccer will not get very far in the States until it is played in the schools or at least by school-children. At present the American boy has to play American football, baseball and basketball at school, but if, by some miracle some of the same enthusiasm could be channelled into soccer I am sure the USA would be one if the most successful soccer playing nations in the world. Then what an Eldorado would await the British professional across the Atlantic. Italy would become very much a second-rate attraction for the ambitious players if America took up soccer on the game big-business sale as in baseball. A pipe-dream perhaps, but funnier things have happened. THE END. (c) Billy Bingham, 1962.

EVERTON RES V SHEFF W R
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Saturday 22 December 1962
Everton Res;- Dunlop; Thomson, Parnell; Rees, Heslop, Sharpes; Shaw, Tyrer, Wignall, Webber, Morrissey. Sheffield Wed Res;- Reid; Hill, Birks; Eustace, O'Donnell, Hardy; Finney, Young, Ellis, Picton, Borrowdale. The game started in a heavy mist but gradually visibility was reduced until from the Press Box only part of the goal could be seen. The ball was completely invisible for most of the first 20 minutes. The players, however, seemed to be able to find it for three goals were scored in that time. Everton very much on the attack, got the first after a 30-yards drive by Sharples which I doubt if the goalkeeper saw. Three minutes later Sheffield equalised through Young but how he put it into the net was not known. Everton then regained their lead with another bullet-like shot this time from Tyrer. The Everton forwards were shooting every time the Sheffield goal came in sight and in the mist the policy appeared to be paying off. Everton were spending most of the time in the Sheffield half and their cohesion appeared to be better. Whether the players could see further than the next man was open to doubt but they appeared to be following the ball successfully. Goalkeeper Reid was having quite a busy time with the shoot-on-sight policy of Everton and but for him they would have been at least four goals up. Half-time; Everton res 2, Sheffield Wednesday Res 1.

EVERTON IN LUK TO ESCAPE WITH ONE POINT
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday December 24 1962
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2 EVERTON 2
By Michael Charters
After looking a well beaten side, Everton gained a valuable point at Hillsborough with a goal by Young only four minutes from the end. Under difficult conditions Wednesday had looked the better side and has mastered the problems presented by the ball doing tricks on a frozen surface, which had a heavy covering of frost. On such a pitch, Everton's more classical approach was not as effective as the home team's who played with considerable drive and spirit, which gave them the edge and there will be many who felt that Everton were fortunate to draw. In the first minute Layne slipped past Labone and hit a tremendous shot on the run which West saved brilliantly and it was the insistence on the first time pass and shot which made Wednesday superior. Layne proved the most difficult opponent Labone has faced this season and Everton's defence did not look as solid as usual because of the problem of controlling this live wire leader. West in superb form, saved Everton several times, and other first class performances from parker, Meagan and Gabriel were the most agreeable Everton features.
NOT A GOOD DAY
This was not a good day for Everton's forwards. We saw little of Vernon, until he flashed into the game in the closing minutes to make the goal for Young and then hit a great shot just wide in an attempt for the winner with practically the last kick of the match. Bingham and Veall were snuffed out by Meagan and Johnson while Johnson could make little headway against Swan, always master in the air. Wednesday looked far better than they had done against Liverpool a fortnight previously and Layne's re-appearance gave fresh life to their forwards. Quinn former Prescot Cables boy home on leave from the Army, had a fine match and the whole side moved with more drive and purpose than Everton. Their first time tactics were the answer to the conditions and Everton's defence was frequently fully extended. Everton's only real scoring effort of the first half came very early on when Bingham floated a clever free kick wide of Springett, only to see the England goalkeeper make a miraculous recovery to touch the ball on to the cross bar. Quinn shot over the bar with an easy chance and redeemed himself at the 20thminute with a first class goal. After Kay and Dobson had moved the ball up on the left, Quinn took a short pass from Kay and beat West from 20 yards with a grand shot. Before half-time West made three great saves from Dobson (twice) and Layne, and that stage one would not have given much for Everton's chances of a point. Six minutes after half time came a surprise goal to put Everton level. Harris sent over a free kick which Bingham collected but mishit his shot Megson turned the ball over his own line, although it appeared in the mist as though Stevens had scored. Everton players later confirmed an own goal. This goal brought some life to Everton's forwards and Springett more than earned his bonus with a brilliant double save, going down low to push out a fierce shot from Veall and when the ball ran loose to Vernon it seemed a certainty the Everton skipper must score. He hit the ball well only to see Springett smother the shot.
MEAGAN'S SLIP
Layne headed just over and then put Wednesday ahead with another good header after 66 minutes. Meagan allowed the ball to run over the goal line thinking it was a goal kick, but it was obviously a corner, from which Holliday's kick was met by Layne's head and sent just inside the upright. Layne and Quinn were allowed to move in unchallenged. After this goal the game became rough and there were fouls by Young and Stevens, which had the crowd demanding their dismissal. West made yet another superb save from Quinn before Young got the equaliser so close to time. It was made initially with a great wing run from Gabriel who but his centre across to Vernon. His fierce shot from ten yards was partially saved by Springett, but the ball ran to Young, who made no mistake. Sheffield Wednesday; Sprigett; Johnson, Megson; McAnearney, Swan, Kay; Holliday, Quinn, Layne, Fantham, Dobson. Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall. Referee- Mr. K.H. Burns (Dudley). Attendance 28,279.

ALL SQUARE IN THE FOG AT GOODISON
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday December 24 1962
EVERTON RES 2 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY RES 2
This Central League game between Everton Reserves and Sheffield Wednesday Reserves at Goodison Park, resulted in the share of the points. Whether this is a true reflection or not is difficult to say as from the Press box only a quarter of the pitch was visible; the ball for most of the time was invisible and the players vague outlines in the swirling fog. Referee Pritchard of Blackpool, however, seemed satisfied with the conditions, and the players managed. Everton took the lead when Sharples came out of the mist and put a thirty-yard drive well clear of Reid, who from the noise made by the crowd behind him must have played a good game. Wednesday retaliated with an unseen goal by Young and then Tyrer restored Everton's lead with another pile-driver out of the fog. Even with the lights on the second half was a complete mystery and from information behind the Everton goal, Sheffield's equaliser came from a defence error and Higton gave Dunlop no chance.

MORRISSEY MAY BE BACK FOR EVERTON V. ARSENAL
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express –Monday December 24, 1962
By Michael Charters
Everton players came through their hard, gruelling game at Hillsborough on Saturday without injury- although Bingham took a physical battering from left back Meagan which left him very sure. All will be fit for the home game against Arsenal on Boxing Day, although it would not surprise me if manager Harry Catterick decided to recall winger John Morrissey, who has proved his fitness in two reserves games. His experience and general drive could be an asset in this vital game against a team which has been steadily proving up the table in recent weeks. There could be a crowd in the region of 65,000 at is Goodison on Wednesday Arsenal's game at Old Trafford on Saturday, had to be abandoned through fog, but they were leading at the time and there is no doubt they will test Everton fully. They moved on from Manchester to stay over Christmas at Blackpool to avoid unnecessary travelling. They will come straight from there to Goodison Park and then to London for some rather late festivities at home before the return match at Highbury next Saturday. Sheffield Wednesday ground escaped the fog, which clamped down in the Lancashire side of the Pennines. Although there was considerable mist there was never any danger that Saturday's match would be called off. But something worse hit the game- a thick covering of frost which left the pitch bone hard and more suitable for ice skating than football. Under the circumstances when pure football was at a premium both teams performed creditably to provide a fast entertaining game. Naturally there were plenty of errors enforced by the conditions. Players found it very difficult to turn, to keep their footing to make the well-judged pass when the ball bounced and ran uncertainly. Everton style was not suited to these conditions and on the day, Wednesday were undoubtedly the better team so that they were unfortunate not to win.
MORE CONFIDENT
Everton's slick chasing style misfired on this pitch and with Wednesday turning on what the locals agreed was their best display for three months. Everton gained a lucky point with a goal four minutes from the end when they looked a well beaten side. Sheffield played with much more confidence, skill and purpose than they had shown against Liverpool a fortnight previously. The four forward changes and a return to their own direct, quick-passing tactics enabled them to control most of the game. A superb display by West in goal prevented Wednesday from a clear-cut win and I fancy them to help Everton indirectly by beating Burnley on Boxing Day. In attack the return of Layne after suspension, and the introduction of Quinn, who is home on leave from his Army unit in Germany made them a really potent force, Layne was good in the air, controlled the difficult ball well on the ground and gave Labone his most testing game of the season. In fact, I can't remember when Labone had such trouble in trying to control a centre forward and, on the day it was Layne who came out on top. But if ever a player could be expected an off day, it is Labone a model of consistency for seasons. Quinn is the former Prescot Cables boy whom Mr. Catterick took to Hillsborough originally for the cut-price bargain price of £100. You can double that figure and add two noughts, to come something near Quinn's value today. He had a first class game on Saturday. Backed by a strong tackling defence and well supplied with the right ammunition by Kay and McAnearney, the Wednesday forwards always showed more thrust and penetration than Everton's attack.
WEST THE STAR
The home forwards only bad one failure to winger Holiday, tried on the right for a change and competently held by Meagan, one of Everton's few successes. Parker too did well against the lively flame, haired Dobson on the other wing, but even so Dobson took an energetic part in Wednesday's threatening play. West was Everton's star. His first-minute save from Layne was magnificent for his initial effort of the game and he followed with equally excellent efforts from Layne (twice) and Quinn. After West, I would rate Gabriel as Everton's best performer. It was he, working and driving on right to the end, who made the important equalising goal when everyone had written off Everton's chances of avoiding defeat. We saw very little of Vernon and Young and Veall could not make much impression against the firm tackling of Johnson. Bingham had a bruising personal duel with Megson so that the best forward was Stevens without making quite the impact he usually does with his non-stop foraging. Everton's best spells were very early and very late, they thought they warranted a penalty when Swan fouled Vernon but the referee placed the ball inches outside the area. Bingham saw Springett drifting across his goal to take position against the challenge of Young or Vernon so be cleverly floated the free kick towards the opposite corner. Springett somehow recovered and punched the ball up. It seemed to strike the crossbar and away but the Everton players said he directed it into the top netting, over the line.
SURPRISE GOAL
With a minute and before the game was five minutes old. Vernon made a fine header from Bingham's centre against the crossbar and then Everton faded as an attacking force for the rest of the first half. Quinn put Wednesday into the lead at the 20th minute with a great goal after Dobson and Kay had built up the chance with a slow motion passing duet down the left wing. Quinn took the final pass from Kay to lash the ball into the net from 20 yards. Everton's equaliser after 51 minutes was a surprise-both that they scored at all after being in danger of being out played and in the manner in which it came. Harris sent over a free kick which escaped the clutch of players in the centre of the goalmouth and the ball dropped at Bingham's feet, Bingham mis-hit his shot so that the ball rolled slowly towards the line where Stevens. Vernon and Megson awaited. In the scramble and the mist it seemed that Stevens might have delivered the final touch to turn the ball over the line, but the players said afterwards that Megson provided the finishing touch for an own goal. Wednesday protested that Bingham was off-side, but the referee would have none of it. Came one more Everton splash of inspiration before Wednesday took the lead again. This was a fine run and shot by Veall- his best effort of the day-which Springett only partially saved. The ball came off the goalkeeper to Vernon who hit it instantly only to see Springett recover with incredibly quick reflexes to another the second shot- a wonderful save.
UNCHALLENGED
Layne had been near to scoring on several occasions and he finally made it (66 minutes) with a good headed goal. Meagan concede a corner needlessly when he could have turned the ball out of play yards from the corners flag and Layne went up unchallenged to meet Holiday's flag kick. Everton lost their composure after the and had the Wednesday crowd incensed with some of their tackling. Harris not as competent as usual had his name taken for kicking the ball away after it had been placed for a free kick. Everton were altogether too forth-right in this spell. But they settled down again to score. Gabriel raced down the wing in a 40-yard high powered dash and centred across the goal for Vernon to his a fine shot which Springett again partially saved. This time the ball came out to Young who rammed it back over the line. In the few fleeting moments left, Everton might have scored again. Springett made a great interception of a dangerous cross from Bingham and Vernon sent a shot rocketing just past the post. Wednesday looked stunned that the win bonus had somehow escaped their grasp when they had played so well for so long.

THOSE ARSENAL TICKETS CAN STILL BE USED
Liverpool Daily Post- Thursday, December 27 1962
FROST, SNOW AND FOG
Everton and Liverpool were both denied games yesterday, and in view of the shocking weather one might reasonably assume that the reaction generally was. "And a good things, too," but whether or not that is correct, it is a fact that from early morning the Everton telephone line was jammed with callers, and many inquirers were unable to make contact at all. Obviously, had the Goodison game with Arsenal been possible, it would still have been well patronised. There was quite a trek of coaches to Birmingham and for them it was a wasted journey.
ON THE AIR
When the Everton players reached the ground it was to be told that the referee had already called off the match, but the Liverpool party were sitting snug in their coach on the outskirts of Birmingham when a broadcast message announced a list of games postponed and Liverpool's was the first. For all that they completed the journey to the ground and it was not difficult to see why the referee had ruled against a game, for the ground, was bone hard and treacherous. Secretary Bill Dickinson tells me that the inspection at Goodison was completed around one o'clock and it seemed to be a combination of circumstances which helped the referee to decide. Not only was the ground frozen and snow covered, but there was also water on top and when the inspecting party put their feet down they left frozen imprints. As if that were not enough the weather completed, its grip by providing a threatening curtain of fog. Arsenal had only had to travel from Blackpool for they had stayed at Buxton for Saturday's match at Old Trafford and afterwards went on to Blackpool. Their five day trip had produced only 58 minutes football. If you are wondering what the players' wives had to say about such a Christmas, you can stop worrying for it is a remarkable fact that there are ten bachelors in the Arsenal side, the one exception, being George Eastham. When clubs have to travel overnight because of the distances involved a late inspection by a referee presents no avoidable hardship, but in cases where teams start out on the morning of the match it does seem to me that arrangements might be made for referees to inspect early enough to prevent a wasted journey.
AMBITIOUS PORT VALE
I understand that Port Vale have inquired of Everton about their intentions regarding wing half George Sharples and full back Roy Parnell. I think one can only admire Port Vale's optimism, for Sharples is the obvious choice at Goodison in case of emergency. He has already been called upon twice this season to step in when Jimmy Gabriel has had to stand down. Having recently released Colin Green to Birmingham City, Everton may think that their need of Parnell is every bit as important as that of Port Vale. Manager Harry Catterick has taken a lot of trouble trying to reinforce his reserve strength in case of need, so that at a time when much has been done, but maybe still not enough to satisfy ambitions, it is hardly likely that clubs will find a very receptive year at Everton. As both Everton and Liverpool had a blank day yesterday the day off the players were expecting today will now become a normal training day.

WHAT ABOUT DIALLING 'FOOT' IN THESE CASES?
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 27 December 1962
By Leslie Edwards
Out of Everton's postponed match yesterday against Arsenal - a great disappointment to some 60,000 people—should come good. Thousands of fans, not knowing whether the game was on or off until just after 1 p.m. pestered the club offices, the offices of the Echo in Victoria Street and telephone operators everywhere with demands for information. Goodison Park (the best known address in Liverpool, boasts the club) certainly had the best-used telephone number in the North West. Unfortunately most enquirers were met by the "busy line" signal. I offer the progressive Everton this suggestion—and it could be used for information for club followers when frost, snow and fog are not the villains of the Christmas holidays: Arrange with the Post Office to give pre-recorded information at a special exchange. After all the speaking clock, Test scores and weather forecasts are already available. It should be helpful to the G.P.O. and to Everton —and more important to tens of thousands of fans—if they could dial 'Foot' and be given the latest information whether a match is likely to be on or off and when the referee proposed to make his inspection... To extend the service to cover details of away games would be only a short step. Our operators and telephonists at Victoria Street would be saved a tremendous amount of time if Everton, through Mr. John Moores, explored these possibilities. Even if it cost the club a few pounds per week it would be a splendid service to all their football-loving clients.
Only 'The box'
KEN REA MOVES TO SOUTH LIVERPOOL
South Liverpool last night signed former Everton wing half ken Rea. Up to a week ago when he obtained his release, Rea was on the books of New Brighton-and it is against the Rakers at the Tower, On Saturday, that he will be making his debut for his new club. Rea should prove a particular good capture by South, who ever since New Brighton announced their decision to let some of their players go, have persistently sought the ex-Evertonian. He will play for South at Left half.

EVERTON SIGN KAY FOR £50,000
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 27 December 1962
WING HALF STAR FROM SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
SECRET DEAL
By Leslie Edwards
Everton produce the best Christmas box their fans have had for years when they signed, this afternoon, Tony Kay, Sheffield Wednesday wing half and captain. Fee? Undoubtedly near if not over the £50,000 mark, is a record one for an English half-back. Place? A secret rendezvous between the clubs and the player. Thus Mr. Catterick, one-time manager of the club with whom he did business to-day, produced his biggest signing –and maybe one which will cause some mild criticism on the score that both Harris and Gabriel, wing half-backs in command, have played so brilliantly this season. Ironically, Kay, the Stormy Petrel of Sheffield soccer and one who has played hard and well against Everton was the man the crowd at Goodison Park appeared to dislike most when he appeared there earlier this season. Ironically, Kay, the Stormy Petrel of Sheffield soccer and one who has played hard and well against Everton was the man the crowd at Goodison Park appeared to dislike most when he appeared there earlier this season. No one who saw that match could have doubted that he was a gallant and great half-back, even though finishing on the losing side. Kay, with his sandy hair and swashbuckling style, is a natural captain. He's survived some extremely tough matches –and the Sheffield Wednesday coach crash-and come up for more despite the fact that he's on the small side. At left half, this Sheffield boy (5ft 7 ¼ ins, and 11 stone 5lb), who has spent the whole of his professional career with Wednesday, already has Under-23 honours and will surely go to a full cap. He rarely misses a match; indeed he played in all but one a season ago, and all the Cup ties. Everton played at Hillsborough on Saturday –and drew- and it was then that Mr. Catterick finalised the details of the deal with Mr. Vic Buckingham, who took over when the former Wednesday manager left to join Everton. At Goodison Park today Mr. Catterick was reported to be "taking a day off," Everton fans wish he would be off more often if a signing of such magnitude could arise every time. A fortnight ago, Everton made a bid for Wednesday inside forward Fantham. It was felt that Wednesday, with empty terraces and a big bill for their massive new stand, would not be able to refuse them but they did. Undoubtedly the offer to let Kay go arose out of Everton's disappointment at not getting Fantham.
BIGGEST SIGNING
Kay's incoming represents the biggest of several signings made by Mr. Catterick in his comparatively short spell as manager of the club. The others were Veall (bought from Doncaster for £10,000 and now an established left winger in the First Division), Morrissey from Liverpool, goalkeeper West from Blackpool, and Dennis Stevens, from Bolton Wanderers. Everton have said that they are not satisfied with their reserve strength, but it seems doubtful whether they will be able to hold (if he is displaced) a player of the calibre of Brian Harris, assuming as one must that Kay will go into the team forthwith for the visit to Arsenal on Saturday. Kay, who is 24 has made 179 appearances in the Wednesday first team, scoring 10 goals. He has played seven times for the England Under-23 side, and appeared three times in the Football League side. A former Sheffield school-boy, he is a married man with three children.

KAY IS EVERTON'S COSTLIEST PLAYER
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday December 28 1962
£50,000 BOOST TO DRIVE FOR A CUP AND LEAGUE DOUBLE
By Horace Yates
Tony Kay toughest biggest-hearted half back in football, and skipper of Sheffield Wednesday, by whom he was valued at not less than £50,000 yesterday, joined Everton against whom he played his final match in Wednesday's colours last Saturday, to help bolster a tremendous Cup and League double target which Everton have set themselves for this season. To get him Everton had to maintain their reputation for high spending for Kay becomes the costliest half back in English League history, but knowing as I do the tremendous admiration which manager Harry Catterick has for this player he helped to make good in his Hillsborough days, the fee will have been paid gladly. It is an open secret that had Mr. Catterick been given a free choice from the Wednesday players. Kay is the man he would have chosen. He is a player after the Catterick heart -100 per cent all-action performer, as good away from home as he is before his own supporters no respecter of reputations and absolutely fearless under any conditions.
MORE BOOS...
It is this combination which has probably earned far more boos than cheers for the flame-haired defensive machine and if he recalls that he was roundly booed when last he appeared at Goodison Park, it will worry him not one lot. That is Kay. Of course, the picture is transformed now, it will be cheers all the way for Tony –at least at Goodison-and if his inclusions is to improve the defensive stability of the side even further then goals will be conceded most grudgingly. E will be a warm welcome for him from his new colleagues for they know he will be far easier to play with then against. An under-23 international, Kay's name was included among the forty strong party from which England's last World Cup party was selected. He is 25, having signed for Wednesday in 1954 and making his League debut the following year. Last season he was a ever-present. A week-end whisper followed by the usual cloak of secrecy was the only clue to a rekindled Everton interest in Kay, but so many players have been named as Everton targets without any result that it is hardly surprising most people dismissed the Kay mention as just another report. That Everton's first major plunge since Gordon West last March should have been on a half-back will surprise many people, for Brian Harris the man whose place is now obviously in jeopardy, has been a model of consistency in the Everton progress this term. The Everton manager, who motored to Sheffield over the icy roads said "I feel now we have three good wing half backs of experience to cover the two positions and that is something every ambitious club must have. "We are very pleased with the progress of our teen-age halves, but a club like Everton must have available players of experience. "I feel now we have placed ourselves in the position Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed for about three seasons. We have Gabriel, Harris and Kay. Tottenham have at their disposal Blanchflower, Mackay, Marchi and John Smith all of whom, are great players. "Everton have always said, when asked about the many players with whom the name of the club has been connected. "We will show interest in any top class player who becomes available. "When Kay became available we were very interested and we moved in quickly."
NOW THE LAST
No one will blame Everton in the slightest degree for keeping their movements and inquiries as secret as possible, for no matter how curious and hungry for news their followers may be, the best time to announce an interest in a player is when he has been signed. Kay in not the last line but because Everton give no hint of their intentions, it would be wrong to assume that same time may elapse before there are any other incoming. It would not shock me in the slightest to receive a cryptic official club message stating that Alex Scott, Jim Armfield, Derek Kevan or some other such star has been added to the Goodison strength, I have chosen the names at random, but they serve to illustrate the sort of thing which could happen. Why Wednesday have chosen to part with the sheet-anchor of their side baffles me. I would have thought if there was one defender they could not afford to consider releasing, it would have been Kay, for without him, Wednesday will cause far less trouble to opposing forwards. I recall sometime last September when Liverpool were looking around for a left half and the pointer stopped at Kay, I understand that when an inquiry was made Wednesday dismissed it with some fatuous comment about having to pay £100,000 to take him. That at least showed just how Sheffield felt about this player at that time. Had they been prepared to talk reasonably Liverpool could have been in first, but they will lose no sleep over events now that Billy Stevensons has been obtained.
WILL BE PLAY?
Will Kay make his debut at Arsenal tomorrow? Only manager Catterick can answer that query, and he is not talking but if he is perfectly fit my guess is that he will. Although it is never too late to sign a good players, Kay's signing has undoubtedly come at a stage which will raise a problem. He could go in against the Arsenal but he cannot play next week in the F.A Cup third round at Barnsley, not having been signed in time to qualify. After that, of course the barriers are down. Not only is Kay the costliest half-back signing, but he is Everton's most expensive player to date topping Alex Young's fee by about £8,000. Mr. Catterick told me last night that the deal was carried through at Hillsborough and took ninety minutes, including the time necessary for Kay to consult his wife they have just moved into a new house and returned with his agreement. The reaction of Liverpool's manager, Bill Shankly to the signing was. "I'm quite pleased to hear it. It will help them give us a better game on February 9. Everton once missed signing Denis Law by not going back with an advanced bid which would have toppled a wobbling Huddersfield. They have not made the same mistake with Kay. Any Everton support who wishes to see his team in action against Barnsley in the F.A Cup tomorrow week can easily do so, for the Yorkshire club have ground tickets to spare- over 4,000 of them and I can only join with the secretary in his comment "I am surprised it was not an immediate sell-out.

ROY VERNON SAYS
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday December 28, 1962
PLAYERS DON'T MIND TITLE MILLIONAIROS
Millionairos! It is a high sounding title that has been bestowed on Everton and the players have not the slightest objection to being associated with it, even if the high spending of clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland put them in the position of rivals in the financial stakes. But I think it is only fair to the players to point out that to dub us £130 a week players is entirely wide of the mark. We may be probably are, the best paid them in the game by and large but it is a long time since our earnings topped £100 a week. Speaking from memory I think it was only in the early weeks of the season when we were playing two games a week that our earnings soared to such dizzy heights, although we must admit that the estimate of our earnings for the year, which seemed so fanciful to us at the time, will be exceeded with something to spare. I am assuming, of course, that we carry on as we have begun-and we have every intention of doing that. In fact I can tell you that the boys have resolved to make the second half of our programme more productive from a points viewpoint than was the first.
WHAT NONSENSE!
If that is accomplished, not only will we be champions but we will set up an earnings record that will be the envy of every club. I read the other day where one prominent footballer suggested that the strain was already beginning to show in our play, and that we were becoming tensed up. What nonsense! We could hardly be a happier bunch of lads. For all that, we are certainly determined and we are playing every game to win, but I can honestly say that we are getting more enjoyment from our football in the position of League leaders than we have ever done. We have learned to let the future look after itself and think only about the task immediately ahead. This in itself is a safeguard against the building up of tension. I admit quite frankly that I was not in the least dismayed when I got to the ground on Boxing Day to be told the game was off. Not that I was afraid of Arsenal doing any damage to our home record on the grounds of merit, but it is in circumstances such as would have existed then that we get most of the turn-ups in soccer. There is more chance of skill being offset by the conditions than by the opposition. This is my view is one of the reasons behind the oft-repeated phrase-the glorious uncertainty of the F.A Cup.
WEATHER ALLY
Cup ties are played in the depth of winter, when all manner of weather conditions are experienced, conditions which sometimes are the ideal ally of the lower and less gifted sides. At the same time I agree that to be worthy Cup winners a club should be capable of mastering the conditions and the opposition. I have a feeling we are going to do quite a bit of both in the coming weeks. Some Londoners were counting on Tottenham supplanting us at the top of the table by the time the holiday week was through. I think they are going to be disappointed. In the first place they looked to us being beaten at Sheffield. We scotched that little bit of fancy by gaining a point, and of course Arsenal were to have obligingly helped out Spurs by doing the double. It may be true that we get no points from the Gunners visit but they still have to come to Goodison and if they are counting on our past poor record in London they are again backing the wrong horse. It is my belief that the points we won at Spurs is the turning point in our London excursions and we hope to prove the point at Highbury tomorrow.
A SOUND SIDE
We were dubbed in some quarters to have been lucky to have taken a point from Sheffield, but surely that is one of the reasons why we are League leaders if we can go to Hillsborough play somewhat below our best form and still earn a point, I think that helps to prove what a sound side we are. I know Wednesday's recent record is bad but no team can have players like Springett, Kay and Layne without turning on the power sometimes. If Wednesday had beaten us, people would have said it was their best display for weeks. Surely the fact that we drew did not detract from their performance! I think it must have been the fact that Liverpool had won there in the previous game that caused some people to assume we should also triumph but Sheffield people told me that had they played as well against Liverpool as they did against us the picture would have been vastly different. Be that as it may, one point from Sheffield is not to be sniffed at!

TONY KAY TELLS "WHY I JOINED EVERTON"
Liverpool Echo - Friday 28 December 1962
" Why I joined Everton "—that is the main theme of a special article in the " Football Echo " to-morrow by Tony Kay, signed at a fee of £55,000 this week and likely to be the greatest fireball ever to light up the football horizon of Merseyside. Kay speaks of his early career of Sheffield; his belated interest in soccer and tells the story of how he was called on Thursday to be greeted with the "out of the blue" news that he was wanted by his old manager at Goodson Pork. Leslie Edwards' interview with the Everton manager, who gives valid reasons for the signing of Kay, and points to the possibility of further big moves by the club, will be another important feature in to-morrow's "Football Echo." ORDER YOUR

BIG FREEZE GOES ON, HITS SPORT
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express – Friday, December 28, 1962
LIVERPOOL MATCH LIKELY, BUT EVERTON OFF
DANGER OF FOG ON MERSEYSIDE THIS EVENING
Britain's big freeze-up went on to-day-and this evening Merseyside faced the additional hazard of fog. Forecasters said it would be dense in patches, and warned of dangerous ice patches on the roads. The temperature is expected to fail to – 5 degrees centigrade (22 degrees Fahrenheit). One effect of the severe weather was that sport took another had knock. Everton's match at Arsenal, due for tomorrow, was called off this morning after a referee had inspected the pitch, which was six inches deep in frozen snow.

THE FIREBALL OF FOOTBALL
Liverpool Echo - Friday 28 December 1962
By Leslie Edwards
Rarely has an Everton signing created so much discussion. The incoming of that veritable football fireball Tony Kay and the almost certain relegation to the reserve side- if only for a spell-of Brian Harris has got the fans talking fast, furiously. I understand that Kay knew nothing of his impending move until he finished training at mid-day yesterday. Once he knew his old chief had come for him he was content to sign without even telephoning his wife for consultation. She said when she learned the news "What's good for Tony is good for me and the family." Everton were hoping that Kay would make his debut for them tomorrow at Highbury, but those five inches of snow on the pitch, plus frost overnight and forecasts of more snow made play impossible and the match was called off this morning after an inspection by the referee.
DIXIE'S NEPHEW
Oswestry Town, who receive Northwich in the Cheshire League tomorrow, have more new faces in attack. Outside right Stoddart, a former Tranmere player, was signed by Oswestry this week, and the two young Welshpool players, Billy Dean and Ray Sutton, are at centre forward and inside left. Dean is a nephew of Dixie Dean, the old Everton star.

EVERTON OF THE FUTURE –AS JOHN MOORES SEES IT
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express –Saturday December 29, 1962
TEAM AND GROUND PLANS TO BECOME WORLD-CLASS CLUB
By Leslie Edwards
In one of the frankest interviews he has ever given, Mr. John Moores, chairman of Everton F.C., spoke to-day of his hopes and aspirations; his reasons for being in the game and of the fallacy of thinking that present-day soccer is, or could be, spoiled by the power of the blank cheque, and of the business methods he has applied to the £.s.d. of football. I asked him first what chance he thought his club had of gaining a major honour this season. I thought at the start that we wouldn't be quite strong enough. "I felt we were a bit weak in a few positions. But Harry Catterick has instilled such extremely good team spirit, and the determination to win has been so good in away matches. I think we have a reasonable chance—l won't put it any higher—of winning something. " I am very pleased of course, with the way things have gone and relieved that we still went on winning in spite of heavy grounds on which our side, not a big team physically, might have been expected to do less well. "Every credit must be given to Harry Catterick and to our trainer Tom Eggleston for getting such effort from their men. "I often sit in on their briefings' mostly because I want to back their opinions when I agree with them."
AMBITION
The man with the restless mind and restless ambition to give the football public of this city nothing but the best confessed, when I asked him which teams he thought were the greatest challenge to Everton, that Tottenham and Burnley had something his own side lacked—for the moment. "The way I see it is that Tottenham and Burnley, because of their greater experience in European and other international competitions, have a slight edge on us in experience. "They keep their heads; they have confidence. These things count. We shall get it eventually. "We may well take the League because our boys are fighting so well. I always tell them that when you're not playing on your own ground you've not only got to be able to give it, but take it. Only the teams that can do that can win championships." Criticism that Everton used the bludgeoning power of the blank cheque when signing Kay from Sheffield Wednesday at a fee of £50,000, Mr. Moores deplored not only because it rebounded against the club, but because it just was not true. He said: "In all forms of business the market and prices are governed by supply and demand. It is as simple as that. "If clubs have players for sale, and they are great players, why should we not buy' them? "They did not talk about the power of the blank cheque when Spurs signed Greaves or when Law went to Manchester United. "If I could have got the Home Office to allow us to sign and play Puskas I'd have brought him here long ago. .We wants a good side by world standards. "Continental sides like Real Madrid are not governed by laws which prevent them from signing players from other countries; other continents. "We could have bought, as so many other clubs do, players in the £10,000 to £20,000 class, but that is not to say they would have done us any good. "A great deal of money is often wasted on signings of less than the first magnitude. We've seen that in this city in the past. We believe in going for great performers. "We take them as and when they become available`-as we did Kay. If we didn't we'd be missing the boat and maybe never getting what we really wanted.
MONEY SPREAD
"One aspect of the 50,000 which many people do not realise is that competition at these prices is always less from other clubs. Not all of them have that sort of money to spend. "Clubs who sell players at 50,000 and thereabouts don't talk of the power of the open cheque. They take the money and are pleased to do it.. These transactions spread money about in the game and do it good. "When we stock-take at Everton, the directors meet and receive from Mr. Catterick a list of players- three for every position –he considers are the top men in Britain. "One of each three is starred. That is the man we want if we can get him. We are dependent then on circumstances. "In Kay's case, Harry Catterick could get no further with Wednesday on a manager- to-manager basis. I conferred with the Wednesday Chairman, Dr. Stephen, and came to an understanding, the details of which were finalised when Kay actually signed.
HARD CORE
"We are anxious to get a hard core of 15 or 16 players of first-team status. We wants them to realise that all of them have a part to play in the club's success and that merely because they may be in the reserve side for some weeks we don't look upon them as Central League men. "I hope to arrange for four or five players not currently in the first team to receive a percentage of the crowd bonuses they would receive if they were first-teamers. They are all on very good contracts. We want them to realise that they have their part to play as first-class reserves who can come in as needed. In the past we have not been able to rest players when we have wanted to. "What signings we make will be only of top players. We mean to have the best--if the football loving public of Liverpool were not prepared to support me as they do I wouldn't go to such lengths on their behalf. "They've always shown that they were prepared to pay to see good football. For too long we had mediocre stuff. They were loyal even then!"
HIS PLANS
I asked the Everton chairman why he joined Everton and what his own plans were once he had established the team as a force in world soccer. He answered; "I'm with Everton mostly because I love football and the club, and partly because I was so tired of seeing them doing badly. "I put £70,000 into the club, but that was no gift. I'm anxious to get my money back. At the moment they are indebted to me only to the extent of £30,000. "It was I who gave them the donation of £20,000 which was mentioned at our last annual. "I want to see the club successful and on a level keel. But you can't do it on sentiment. "I have to be pretty ruthless in club economies and in keeping everyone on their toes." "The public would have no sentiment if we gave 'em a side which drifted down to the Third Division; they aren't sentimental when they chant against directors of the club! "You have to be realistic. The Board are with me. They are an anxious as I am that we should be a force again. "Would I retire once Everton were established among the leading rank again? "Maybe I'd give up the Chairmanship, I'm a business man, too, and these long-distance football commitments are not easy for me. "My doctor says I should take a holiday now and again and you can hardly do that, as Christmas, in the middle of a busy season.
WATCHING PLAYERS
"I get less fun out of watching now than I did as a fan. I'm busy watching players not in possession of the ball and listening to Harry's comments on play and players. "That's where I am useful to him, I help him to keep his feet on the ground. They get pretty excited, do managers. Even quiet Johnny Carey kept up a running commentary. "When Everton are criticised, sometimes a bit unfairly, Harry does not like it. I tell him 'You must be like the actors and actresses. So long as their name is spelled correctly when it appears in the papers it's all good publicity." "People who live in high places must expect to have to endure high winds. The only adverse criticism I don't like is the malicious sort."
FINANCE WIZARD
Everton's chief knows more about football finance-apart from the £50,000 type signings-than any other director in football. He'd rather interest himself in the game domestically than internationally. "I don't want any sport of football politics," he said. "I'm only interested in Everton and its efficient running. I keep my finger on every aspect of finance. "My fortnightly budget of figures shows every penny in and out. It is so accurately kept it is frequently as little as £400 out on the whole season's accounting. I don't suppose there's another club in the land who can detail every item, in and out, on a fortnightly basis, I know how much we can afford to spend on players and that buying big is buying best for a club of Everton's standing. "We haven't forgotten our policy of developing young players. That was why I introduced the scheme for the further education of young men on our staff. "If they prove themselves good enough they will get their chance. By the time some of them mature our surplus liabilities should be reduced to nil. They have been reduced from £107,000 to £46,000 in less than three seasons. "Looking back at my spell of just under three seasons as Chairman, I am delighted to have seen such progress in many directions. "We are near to having the great team we want; our wonderful ground with its proposed additional seating will match the excellence of our performance on the field. "So long as our supporters continue to back the team and the Board with such loyalty, we'll continue to work hard to give them the entertainment they demand."

WHY CATTERICK SIGNED KAY
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 29 December 1962
News of the Tony Kay signing was greeted with surprise by many followers of Everton. They are all delighted to see Everton strengthening their hand, but many of them were astonished to find that the newcomer was a wing half-back—especially as this department of the team had been its backbone this season (writes Leslie Edwards). To disturb a team sitting comfortably at the top of the football First Division table - likely to remain there -did not appear to be sense to some of the fans. The Spurs' clever manipulation of their half back resources, bringing in Tony Marchi as and when required, was seen by followers of football in this city to be behind Mr. Catterick's ;latest –and could be greatest—move. That Brian Harris, having played so consistently all season should lose his place, was borne as heavily on followers of the club as it must have been on the player concerned. Why?
THE REASONS
Mr. Catterick answers. — "The transformation of Mick Meagan to the full back position was the thing which weighted with me. He has become so well established there he would not be available, if required, as a wing half-back alternative. "The goalkeeper position with West and Dunlop is fully covered; so, with Parker, Meagan and Thomson, is the full-back department. "Now with Gabriel, Labone, Kay and Harris to select from, the intermediate line is equally well created for. "Someone at one time or another must lose his place temporally, or permanently, but competition is part of the game. A pity whoever is left out must forgo the chance of bonus money he has probably helped to earn, but there it is- that's football." In the old days, players were never consulted before teams were selected. The new system of "explaining" to players why they should be rested; or dropped; why their positions are changed is a commonplace one, now, but now necessarily at Everton. Gone are the days when any player could say to himself; "Whom have they better to fill my position?"
THINGS TO COME
Everton's oft-spoken admission that they are interested in all great players; their statements that whenever a great player becomes available they will be in the hunt, and the move bringing Kay to Goodison Park, indicates the shape of things to come. Time was when not all star players wanted to wear the Everton blue. Now, it seems the lure of the big pay packet, plus the success of the crowd bonus scheme is all-compelling. One of the tasks Mr. Catterick had, once Kay had been admitted to the Everton first team, was to have a chat with Brian Harris. Afterwards he said; "Brian was naturally a little disappointed. Who wouldn't be? "But that is the way I like my reserve players. The contented reserve, not prepared to go out and fight a first-teamer for his place is no use to anyone."

TONY KAY TELLS "WHY I JOINED EVERTON."
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 29 December 1962
IF YOU CAN'T BEAT EM, THEN JOIN 'EM.
I Joined Everton because they are one of the leading clubs in the land, because they have fine support, a wonderful ground, money to "take them places," tradition and…above all…the ambition to get there. Even now, more than 48 hours after signing, I can scarcely believe I'm an Everton player! It was all so sudden. I had just finished training on Thursday when Vic Buckingham called me to the office and said; "Harry Catterick's here. He wants to speak to you." I'd read stories linking my name with Everton's but I'd also read dozens of other similar ones- and in every case nothing materialised! So leaving Hillsborough, even then, seemed the last thing I'd be likely to do. Harry's invitation to join Everton and news that the clubs had agreed terms- I didn't know at what figure- left me in no doubt about my decision. I had played or Harry for some seasons; knew his forth-right, business-like way of doing things and was prepared, straight away, to help him in his aim to make his team the best in Britain. It didn't matter that my family –I have two boys and a girl- had just moved house in Sheffield. If Wednesday, who had always been good to me, were prepared to let me go, I was prepared to take my chance on Merseyside. The first thing I said to Roy Vernon when he greeted me at Goodison park yesterday (we've had a few battles in our time!) was; "They say if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, I'd rather be playing with you then against you!" Roy's answer was typical. He said; "The feeling's mutual." Oddly, when last I played at Everton player than I did with Wednesday. That is true, but it is not the reason behind my quick decision to come. I believe in putting as much into the game as you get out of it. I think I can satisfy my new club and their fans. My wife, who knew nothing of my move until after I'd signed the transfer forms was content that I had made the right move. She said; "What is good for you is good for me and the children." Maybe she's an old-fashioned football wife, but I was sure she's looking at the things in the most sensible way. I've been capped as an England Under-23 man and have been in the England World Cup possible, but my football career still has room for development, I hope to be among the full England caps Everton have. Being with a club of Everton's standing and with such a good team should help me to improve my game. I've been trying to do that since I first took an interest in soccer as an 11-years-old.
TACTICS SAME
Establishing myself afresh, after a long spell with Wednesday, will not be easy, but so far as tactics are concerned everything should be simple. After all, the Everton tenets knows it could be Wembley and the League championship!
FOOTBALL INTEREST
My football history is an unusual one in that there was no football in the family until I came along. My father, a chargehand at a Sheffield steel works, was a good amateur boxer, but he didn't want me to follow him into the steel works- or into the ring. I'd no interest in football at all until I was about 11 years old. Then the penny dropped and I kicked a ball around with lads from dusk to dark whenever possible, with only the shortest break for eats- usually bread-and-jam sandwiches! Believe it or not, my first love was goalkeeping. Then I became an inside-forward and later a wing half for the Sheffield boys' team. I was a dad hand at Rugby, too, and loved cricket, but once I joined Wednesday as an amateur shortly after leaving school there was only one game in it. I had my first League game at Bolton, having been taken as 12th man. What a thrill that was. Not long afterwards I got in the side for keeps. My first money as a professional was £7 per week. We've moved on (and up) a bit since then.
COACH CRASH
My worst experience as a player? The first coach trip I'd ever had with the club two seasons ago. We skidded on the icy road coming home and the crash cost the career of our half-back McMillan and put me into hospital to have stitches in a deep cut on top of my head. My experience of Everton, thus early bears out my opinion of the club as one of the most forward-looking. I look forward to a happy and successful run with a club I admire immensely. I'm grateful to Wednesday for all they have done for me but I'm delighted that my old boss should set such store on my worth. I promise him now; "I won't let you down" My last hurdle before the signing was confirmed was a date with the club's orthopaedic specialist-a formality in my case, but it was nice to say that he has rarely come across a footballer in such good shape.

'BRONCO' BEST LEADER EVERTON HAVE MET YET
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 29 December 1962
By Alex Young
One of the interesting parts of a professional footballer's life is chatting with the personalities connected with the game, and my meeting with a likeable young Scot named Duggie McMillan, at Hillsborough, last Saturday, is something I shall remember for a long time. Duggie was the Sheffield Wednesday player who lost a leg after the coach taking the first team home from a game against Arsenal, on Boxing Day, 1960, had been involved in an accident. He came down to our dressing room at Hillsborough to see his old " boss," Mr. Catterick, and our manager introduced him to the Everton players. When he spoke to me, Duggie, who was born at Bathgate, between Glasgow and Edinburgh, was full of praise for all that the Sheffield club, and Mr. Catterick, have done for him since the accident. Testimonials were arranged; his pay continued for two years; and now Duggie has a Job with a firm owned by a Wednesday director. Critics say that football is becoming too commercialised, but here is proof that even if this is true, there is still room in the game for humanity and charity. When I asked Mr. Catterick about Duggie later, our manager told me that before the accident he considered the Scot was one of the most promising players on the Hillsborough staff.
STRANGE PITCH
One of the strangest features of our match against Sheffield Wednesday was the pitch on which it was played. The centre portion of the field was frozen hard, but out on the wings the surface was quite soft. With all the Everton lads, and I presume the Sheffield boys also, wearing leather studs, I think most of the more "balanced" football was played on the wings. If Everton did not appear to play as well as usual at Hillsborough, then I think we must be fair and say that this was probably due to the fact that the opposition performed as well as they did. On this display Sheffield appear to occupy a false League berth at the moment; indeed, I'm willing to stick my neck out and forecast a much higher position for them by the time the season ends. In David "Bronco" Layne, Wednesday has probably the best centre forward we have played against this season, while their inside right, John Quinn, home on leave from his Army unit in Germany, also had a good game. John and I played together in the British Army side several times, and he would also be back in Civvy Street now if he had not an extra six months slapped on his National Service.
EXTRA PASSENGERS
Apart from bringing back a vital League point from Sheffield, we also brought home nine extra passengers in the Everton coach. Eight of them were young fans who had been left behind by their own coach and were looking for an alternative way to get home to Liverpool, while the other person was Brian Harvey, brother of Colin Harvey, our young reserve inside forward. Colin, 12th man for the game at Sheffield, was also in the Coach and asked Mr. Catterick if Brian, who is an apprentice professional with Wednesday, could travel back with us. The rest of the Everton boys could not help remarking on just how alike Colin and Brian are, for, apart from Colin being a little taller and looking slightly older, one could almost mistake them for twins. While many people were enjoying a few days off work at the beginning of the week, it was training as usual for the Everton players.
NORMAL ROUTINE
A little training at regular intervals is of much more benefit than two days' work crammed into one to make up for a day off, so Mr. Catterick decided, very wisely, not to break out normal routine, even though it meant " turning in " on Christmas Day. That this decision was a right one was emphasised on Boxing Day, when our home game with Arsenal was called off. We may have got one match behind in our fixtures: but we were up to date with our training schedule. The Arsenal players, however, have my sympathy. With matches scheduled for Manchester on Saturday and at Goodison Park on Wednesday, it was decided that they should spend Christmas up here to cut down travelling. Their reward' Fifty-eight minutes of football in the fog at Old Trafford on Saturday and those trips to Manchester and Everton still to come later in the season. Next Saturday, of course, we are at to Barnsley for an F.A. Cup engagement, and while this will be a change from League football. It is useless kidding ourselves that it is going to be any easier. While Everton are in a leading position in Division One, I think the best thing to do is regard every away match as a visit to White Hart Lane. They are all likely to be tough encounters, for there will be plenty, of clubs trying to win a little glory for themselves by bringing us down a peg or two.

NEW DEAL INSURANCE FOR EVERTON
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday December 31 1962
GERRY HITCHENS IS MADE TO EMASURE FOR NEXT RECORD-BREAKING CHEQUE
By Horace Yates
Everton send out the old year on a typical note of enterprise with the signing of £50,000 Tony Kay from Sheffield Wednesday and realistic appreciation of the fact that if you cannot guarantee a first team place then you have to comfort him where it counts most- in his pocket! At the moment there is little doubt that Brian Harris, certain to suffer relegation to permit the inclusion of Kay, has the sympathy of the vast sporting public of Merseyside, who rate highly the tremendously conscientious and able contribution he has made in the past few months to the forward march of the club. The news that he and certain others, who are accepted in first teamers even though not currently occupying first team players are to get a percentage of the attendance bonuses received by the League eleven, will help to soften the blow, although players will tell you there is nothing to compare with playing. Financial compensation is probably the nearest approach to a satisfactory alternative. Other clubs have managed to keep happy men of first team potential. So why not Everton. Experience has taught me to reverse judgement on an apparently unpredictable event until the ideas of those and brought it about have had affair chance of proving themselves. We need go no further back than the beginning of last season when Liverpool signed Ron Yeats. The reaction of the majority to his incoming was; "Why a centre half? Dick White is one of the best men in the business. We should have started somewhere else." It looked like fair comment indeed, but in very little time Anfield supporters were hailing a new star, the fortunes began to improve and it was obvious to all the critics that managers are not paid most acceptable salaries for nothing. This was one of Bill Shankley's major triumph. Will history similarly vindicate Harry Catterick over Tony Kay? The Everton manager has not chosen blindly, for Kay's talents are well known and even though he may be replacing a popular favourite the Sheffield boy may do it uncommonly well.
NEXT CHEQUE
Nobody can say when next the Everton volcano will erupt and in its wake we shall find another shattering incoming or two. Will the next cheque be paid out in lire, in the name of the Torino Football Club of Italy, to bring centre-forward Gerry Hitchens bounding back to England as an Everton player?
The possibility cannot lightly be dismissed, for at a time when some clubs here are shying at the idea of Everton building up to invincibility and resisting any idea of helping in the completion of the super side, Everton might find a better reception for their advances in Italy, where the former England and Aston Villa centre-forward is reported to be developing signs of homesickness. Yesterday he scored one of the goals by which Torino beat Sampdoria 3-1 in an Italian First Division match in Genoa, and just as Kay fell like fingers into a Catterick glove, the big bustling scoring leader is another made to measure for the Everton manager's requirements. Harris can never be accused of lacking either courage or punch but these are qualities Kay has in superabundance. At the same time he has done nothing to help kill the "tiny tots" label sometimes attached to the Everton name. Kay is courageous little 'un, while Hitchens is a brave big un.' That is what Mr. Catterick is looking for, and if there is any real chance of Hitchens being released no club will outbid Everton. Although complete silence still surrounds the name of Alex Scott of Glasgow Rangers it would be silly to rule him out of calculations for Mr. Catterick will spring) another first class surprise if his next major concentration is not on his forward line. Scott played for Rangers on Saturday and scored a goal. If we turn back the calendar for 1962 we find that Everton's major incoming have been Tony Kay, John Morrissey, Gordon West, Denis Stevens and George Heslop.
NEARLY £130,000
The little spending spree has cost them nearly £130,000. They have recouped some of that by releasing Bobby Collins to Leeds, Micky Lill to Plymouth Argyle, Jimmy Fell to Newcastle United, Colin Green to Birmingham City and Mick Gannon to Scunthorpe, but the adverse balance is still appreciable. Yet such is the tremendous income enjoyed by a successful Everton that finances are not getting out of hand, even though it is comforting to have the tremendously important backing and resources of such a sport-conscious chairman as John Moores. Without his incoming the Everton climb to new fame might have been much slower and far less exciting. He may be the envy of other clubs, but who can say that he has not given something important and thrilling to Everton in particular and the game in general? If only there were more John Moores to scatter around other clubs the battles of big business brains would be as intriguing as it would be uplifting. Everton are League leaders and intend to stay there and if the main obstacle to their ambitions should prove to be not Tottenham Hotspur or Burnley, but their local neighbours Liverpool, so much the better. Merseyside has never had it so good and the best is yet to come. What Everton have accomplished with bright ideas and the tearing out of cheques Liverpool have almost achieved by brilliant direction and more modest spending, record breaking for the club though it has been. As I write Everton are first and Liverpool fifth. Let us compare the spending that has gone into the attainment of current progress. This is the way the Everton spending has gone.
Gordon West (Blackpool) £20,000.
Alex Parker (Falkirk) £17,500
Mick Meagan (Eire junior club), nil.
Jimmy Gabriel (Dundee) £30,000
Brian Labone (local) nil
Brian Harris (local) nil
Tony Kay (Sheffield Wednesday) £50,000
Billy Bingham (Luton town) £20,000
Denis Stevens (Bolton Wand.) £25,000
Alex Young (Hearts) £42,000
Roy Vernon (Blackburn Rovers) £35,000
Ray Veall (Doncaster Rovers) £7,500
John Morrissey (Liverpool) £15,000
George Thomson (Hearts) £16,000
George Heslop (Newcastle United) £12,000
This gives a grand total of around £290,000. Enough to make anyone whistle especially as we can still write more to follow with absolute certainty.

QUESTION OF TIMING
Liverpool Echo - Monday 31 December 1962
By Leslie Edwards
Talk of a thaw spreading from the South-West gives a glimmer of hope for the big Cup round on Saturday. It might be that every trace of snow and ice will have disappeared by the time Wrexham and Liverpool step out at the Racecourse and Everton tackle Barnsley in Yorkshire. The composition of the Everton half back line is bound to cause conjecture. Kay was not signed in time to qualify for this round. The chances are that Everton will thus continue to play Brian Harris in his accustomed position. I reiterate my sympathy for this player—sympathy, it seems, which is felt by many followers of the club. Because I said Everton had given their supporters a Christmas box does not alter my feeling that there were other places in the side which required more urgent strengthening. All the letters I have received on Everton's latest move, the reasons for which were given on Saturday in the Football Echo by Mr. Moores and Mr. Catterick, are mildly critical of the club. If I read opinion correctly, everyone is delighted that Kay, a great-hearted player, has come here, but some are unhappy that Harris, after long, devoted service, should lose his place. I confess the timing of this move might have been chosen more carefully, but, as the club argue, you must sign players as and when they become available. If you do not you will lose them to your rivals.
Charles Miller (4 Henley Avenue, Litherland) says: — "I suppose it had to come eventually. After building his team up to title standards, Mr. Catterick has at last played his Bumble card. "The newspapers (and yourself) scream ' The best half-back line in the country; we have the best defensive record in Division 1. And so, to help things along, our manager perpetuates a gem of administrative bungling and signs another class half-back. "True. Kay is a superb player; true, also, it may be argued, he is technically a better man than Harris; but I wonder how the close spirit of the present team is to be affected after this matter? Are more heads to roll (as Harris's undoubtedly will for no apparent loss of form? "We know from recent quotes from the management that they wish to strengthen the reserve side. Excellent. But just how gullible are we supposed to be? Who is to strengthen the reserve side? Kay or Harris ? "
Money to burn?"
On the same subject Mr. E. Knight (Hayfield Street, Liverpool 5) writes: "Everton have evidently got money to burn. After this recent signing of Kay, needless to say the least, it is proof they have no idea what they are about. When the urgent need is for a forward (Scott comes to mind straight away) they sign a wing half-back, the department in which they are strongest. "If they want to unload £50,000 I suggest they present the money to the supporters who helped to build the club during the two Wars—our fathers and uncles who were watching and paying for football at Goodison Park in Dixie Dean's time.' Writing from 4 Stanhope Drive, Bromborough, Mr. J. Parry comments: "I am really surprised to read that you are endorsing Everton's signing of Kay because Brian Harris' name has always seemed to stick in your throat. As for myself and I am sure thousands of other supporters the signing has disgusted me, the more so because there is no valid reason why anyone in the defence should be replaced. "Mr. Catterick has shocked us with his reasons; if he treats loyalty in such a ruthless manner how can he expect support from us? Had the signing been of a forward no one would have been surprised. You are always bleating about tough players. What now?"
IT'S THAT MAN AGAIN
For years Mr. A.R. Higgins made life unbearable for Mr. Cliff Britton whenever he had the temerity to drop Wally Fielding. And the reader from 3 Kaigh Avenue, Crosby was always proved right! Now he enters the lists again with the following; "As an admirer of Wally Fielding and a constant critic of the then Everton management for mis-handling him, may I protest over the treatment now being meted out to another similar model of consistency Brian Harris. With big buying I thought here would be no more of the utterly unfathomable Britton antics, but it seems I am wrong. Kay, I believe, is better defensively than Brian Harris, but when a team has the best defensive record in Division 1 this matters not at all. "Harris is a better attacking half than kay; the Everton wing half pair are the best attackers in the Division and Everton's attack, though good non results, is not the best in the Division or the League. "This buy seems a sheer waste of money to me for what are obviously needed are wingers or a Dean/Lawton type centre forward. Young could then go inside, but again this would be hard luck on Stevens, who, is like Harris, is an unspectacular, consistent, grafter. "If Brian Harris gets fed up and asks for a move none could blame him. If we get £30,000 for him we would still have spent an unnecessary £25,000 for Kay. Seems plain daft to me!"

RANGERS CALL UP SCOTT
Liverpool Echo - Monday 31 December 1962
TRANSFER DELAY IS CERTAIN
By Leslie Edwards
Alex Scott, the Glasgow Rangers right winger, in whom Everton have had interest, is not likely to be transferred anywhere this week. He is required for three important first team games. Billy Henderson, the man who displaced him, being absent owing to influenza. Rangers play Celtic tomorrow, Patrick Thistle on Wednesday and Hibs on Saturday. It is likely that Scott will be needed for all these matches. While all Scotland fancies that Scott will eventually finish up in Everton colours inside formation in this city is that the more wanted man is the Ranger on the other flank, outside left Wilson.
THOUSANDS OF TICKETS AVAILABLE
EVERTON CUP-TIE SURPRISE
PITCH HOPES
The football mystery of the season! That, putting it mildly, is the situation regarding unsold tickets –some 8,000 of them-for the Barnsley v Everton Cup-tie on Saturday. Both clubs are puzzled that all these ground tickets (5s, 4s and 3s 6d, plus some tickets for juniors at 2s 6d) remain unwanted, especially as Everton lead the First Division and should be most attractive opposition. Mr. Bill Dickinson, Everton secretary, said today; "It could be that the Christmas holidays have caused a lapse in interest. The weather, too, isn't helping. We've sold some 5,000 tickets but those for the terraces are hanging fire. Two inches of snow covers the Barsnley ground. It is being kept on top help keep the pitch as "warm" as possible.