EVERTON’S ROY VERNON SAYS-
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, March 1, 1963
NOBODY HAS OFFERED ME A PRICE FOR LIVERPOOL CUP AND LEAGUE DOUBLE
What a week!  For one reason or another I appear to have stirred up a hornet’s nest by expressing the view that Liverpool would not do the double.  Letters poured into the club and office and yet not one of them offered me an offered me a price! If I had said Liverpool were a poor side and I could have understood the commotion, but I didn’t.  No man in his right senses would do that!  Very touchy these Anfielders!  They have come a long way since the season began and if they prove me wrong, all credit to them.  It takes a very good experienced team to do the double. Have you ever paused to reflect how often it has been done this century?  Now are Liverpool ready to stop right up there on to such a pedestal?  I only asked!  If Liverpool to manage to pull off the double, I make a promise here and now to be among the very first to offer them congratulations, and what’s more it would mean it.  All of us at Goodison have nothing but the warmest feelings of good wishes towards them tomorrow for example.  We dearly hope to see them beat Leicester City. As city beat us so recently a Liverpool win might add more fuel to the fire, but we will risk that.  On to victory, Liverpool.  I admit of course, that our interest in the game is not quite so innocent as I have made it sound for any team that pegs back the challenge of Leicester is a friend of ours.  I was unlucky to stick my neck out just before the Wolves game for I do not attempt to conceal our disappointment at dropping a home point.  We had not counted on that and yet of you examine the position squarely you will find that we have taken three points from the two games with Wolves and if we can say that of every match at the end of the season I think the title will be ours.  My hands are held high in surrender over that Wolves disappointment, for I don’t think there is the slightest doubt that it was the forwards who let the side down, I for one, plead guilty to missing a chance which we almost criminal.  I thought had sent Davies, the Wolves goalkeeper, the wrong way but then I found him straight in line with my shot.  On this disappointing day I was not the only sinner, and that was the pity of it!  Had I been the only one to be off the mark it would not have mattered so much, but because we all had one of those days together, our supporters saw us fail to score at Goodison Park for the first time this season.  Had we approached anything like true form, our win would have been every bit as emphatic ass was Liverpool’s, but we didn’t and that is that.  For Wolves, it was a point they probably never expected and sorry through our show was I honestly believe it would have been a whole lot worse of we had failed to score because we had not made the chances.  At least we showed that we could create the openings, and on almost any other day we must have scored several times.  How much of the explanation for our lack of sharpness around the goalmouth was due I wonder to our lack of match practice became of the cold spell!  Our last two games have certainly put us on our mettle.  From now on the all out effort we have made in our games must be redoubled.  The finishing post may not yet be at hand, but it is certainly coming into focus and we must not fall.  Tottenham are coming to with a burst again, but we have the consolation of knowing that they have to come to Goodison Park and is addition to that have to play our Anfield friends twice before the programme closes.  Now we will task Liverpool catching us up if they take four points from Tottenham.  After watching the reserve teams of Everton and Liverpool battle it out on Monday we went along to a presentation by the Everton shareholders Association to Billy Bingham to mark his fifty caps for Northern Ireland.  It is a record to be proud of and I know Billy will greatly treasure this Everton souvenir.  Everton many not be so dependent on the Supporters Association for financial help as are many other clubs, but they do a good job in their own particular way.  For example the radio from which we get so much entertainment is our recreation room at Goodison Park was presented by them.  Many thanks. 

FULL WRATH OF ANFIELD FANS SMITES VERNON
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, March 1, 1963.
By almost every post since Roy Vernon’s article last Friday have come letters from irate Liverpool supporters, and below is an edited selection from some of them.  All those not authenticated by name and address have been ignored, as indeed have many others, purely because of space considerations, but it is fair to say they have a common theme.  Derek Cronin, of 47 Coxy Lane, Netherton, leads off.- “While I am quite prepared to accept Roy Vernon’s newspaper taunts as typical of these bandied about in any discussion between Liverpool and Everton supporters, I find his tone objectionable.  “One would think he was Britain’s supreme footballer, the judge and jury of all that happens in the sports arena.  Instead he is an out-of-form shadow of the excellent players we know he can be.  “He expresses surprise that Gordon Milne has been selected for England’s twenty-two and says he has played against better players.  I suppose it is possible he has met Milne on days when he has not been at the peak of his form, although this was not apparent in the last derby match.  “How can he quibble with the selectors when they have far more knowledge of Milne’s play than Vernon can possibly have?  “Everton would do well to swop Vernon and £50,000 for McIlroy.  Since their motto is if it moves but it, surely here is another opportunity to bog the headlines.”
NEEDING REMARK
From V. Shuttleworth, 33 East Orchard Lane, Fazackerley- “I would point out the following facts, which you seem to have overlooked, 1.  Liverpool beat Aston Villa 4-0; Everton could only draw 11-1; Liverpool beat Sheffield Wednesday (away) 2-0; Everton draw 2-2.  2. Liverpool beat West Ham United (home) 2-1 Everton drew 1-1; 4. Liverpool k.o’s Burnley in the Cup, the team that put Everton out last year, and so on, right up to the match that must have made you wish you had bitten off your tongue-Everton 0 Wolves 0 (didn’t Liverpool win 4-1 or something?).  “You say the reason Liverpool have caught up with Everton is because they have played more games during the ice-up.  For the record Liverpool have played two League matches, only, Villa and Wolves and Everton have played (believe it or not) two also- Leicester and Wolves.  Really Mr. Vernon!  “The remark that really needled me was when you implied that at the start of the season the Reds supporters were not so much in evidence as they are today.  Let me say right away that Liverpool supporters were making themselves heard years ago when they didn’t have a successful side to cheer and we didn’t need expensive signings to rekindle lost interest like some teams I could mention. 
USES VINAGER
“Obviously you will always find a minor element, among all supporters, only interested when their side is doing well, but you will find that it has been accepted without question that Liverpool have the most loyal and rabid fans anywhere in the country.  “I must say the kind of biased article you write is quite foreign to us on Merseyside having been used to reading those by such as the one and only ‘Sir’ Billy Liddell and Laurie Hughes (Liverpool) and Peter Farrell and Tommy Jones (Everton).  “Finally, let me say that I think Everton have a good chance of finishing runners-up in the Cup and League, providing they spend big and sign a good inside left.” 
Mr. W.H. Paul, of 50 Hampden Street, Liverpool 4, writes; - “It would appear that Mr. Vernon uses vinegar for ink, and this may be due to a feeling of inferiority which he tries to cover up with bombastic verbiage.  “With two really great teams to bring possible honours to this city of ours, it seems to me a great pity that a man carrying the captaincy of Everton F.C, should foster had feeling by writing down the amazing resurgence of Liverpool F.C., and make arrogant statements in regard to Everton.  “Let the teams on the field, on the day, show their capabilities and the result decide the issue and the close of the season will tell its own story!” 
THE OTHER SIDE
In a letter to Horace Yates Mr. L. Griffiths of 17 Castle Street, Birkenhead, writes “While I do not expect you to make your column a verbal battlefield for Liverpool and Everton fans to keep up their never-ending feud, I feel sure you must consider printing the other side.  “I am disgusted and baffled that Roy Vernon could write such pompous comments about his neighbouring club.  “Liverpool at one stage were fourteen points behind Everton.  It is now five. As for Liverpool’s wins being at home how’s this; Manchester United, Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham, EVERTON, Burnley, Wrexham, all drawing or losing to Liverpool.  “Liverpool are a very good side, equal to a very good Everton side.  But this agitation by the Everton captain will only make enemies for his team as a whole.  “I would ask Mr. Vernon (a) How many winning Everton sides has he seen since being at Goodison when they have opposed Liverpool?  And (b) Why did Everton not beat Liverpool at Goodison- ! Though such a wonderful team could lick Liverpool- and luck.  “Everton should beat some class teams in the Cup- like Burnley- before running Liverpool down.  “To you Mr. Yates.  Thank you for an unbiased and interesting page.  Keep it up” 
 A BIG HIT
Mr. John Henry of Bootle, writes; “Roy cut his first record on Saturday afternoon after the game and I’m sure it will be a big hit.  “On one side he sings ‘Anything Liverpool can do, Everton can do better, and on the other side.  ‘Who’s afraid of the big bad Wolves,’ accompanied of course by that brilliant trio Hunt, St. John and Melia.” 
From K. Martin, 30 Swanside Avenue, Liverpool 14.  “Can’t Vernon find anything to write about except to pull the Liverpool club and their players to pieces, as he did with Gordon Milne.  After all, I believe Everton supporters want to read what is going on in their own club rather than read his Criticisms of Liverpool.  “Reading between the lines, do, I detect a touch of jealously because Liverpool have enjoyed a good deal more publicity than Everton in recent weeks?”  With Liverpool honour thus satisfied (?)Those whose letters have not been given, may feel that others have expressed their feelings equally well. 

EVERTON PLAY KILMARNOCK ON MONDAY
Liverpool Echo - Friday 01 March 1963
FRIENDLY AT GOODISON
VILLA GAME OFF
By Leslie Edwards
Everton unsuccessful four times in trying to fix a match at Goodison Park next Wednesday – their game tomorrow at Villa is off, too – have arranged for the Scottish League club, Kilmarnock, to send their first team to meet Everton’s first team (including new winger Alex Scott) at Goodison Park on Monday (7.30).  The clubs last met in the New York International tourney two years ago, Everton won both games.  There will now be two games in the city on Monday, Liverpool Reserves have a fixture the same night at Anfield against Aston Villa Reserves. 
RESERVES MATCH
Everton and Wolves are each playing two first teamers in their Central League game at Goodison Park tomorrow.  Everton’s pair are full back Parker and centre forward Young.  Because Frank Wignall is transfer listed and several clubs are coming to see him play he gets the position as leader of the attack and Young moves to inside right.  Mr. Harry Catterick, the Everton manager, said to-day; “Stan Cullis and I both agreed to play two first teamers.  I have decided to give Alex Parker and Alex Young the chance of an extra game.”  Everton Reserves;- Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Harris, Heslop, Sharples; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Veall. 
TOTTENHAM TICKETS
Plenty of ground and paddock tickets remain for the Everton v. Tottenham match on April 20.  These will be sold from the Everton ground every day net week, starting from Monday, between 10 a.m and 4.30 p.m. 

WE’LL BE AIMING FOR A FOREST DOUBLE
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 02 March 1963
By Alex Young
Nottingham Forest's visit to Goodison Park next Saturday revives happy memories, for when we won 4-3 at Nottingham in November—after being two goals down after 15 minutes—many who saw the game rated it the best away performance by an Everton side for several seasons.  Having failed to complete the double over Wolves after beating them at Molineux, we don't figure on making the same mistake against Forest. Luckily. Forest's away record is nothing like as impressive as that of Wolves.  I'm not trying to indulge in any "can passing," but  in slating Everton for last  Saturday's goalless draw,  many people failed to give  Wolves all the credit they  deserved.  The Molineux boys played a hard, determined game and the point they took from Goodison made their away record the best in the First Division.  As at Wolverhampton, Liverpool-born goalkeeper, Fred Davies, was in terrific form. He certainly seems to be becoming a bogey man to Everton’s forwards.  Ron Flowers, too, had a fine game for Wolves, but I thought the best half back on view was Tony Kay, who made a memorable home debut.  Incidentally, Tony and  our other recent signing,  Alex Scott, are now living  at the same digs until they  are able to set up home and  bring their families to  Merseyside.  Another player In the Wolves team to take the eye was Bobby Thomson, who must surely be the speediest full back we have played against this season. 
PROMISING 
There were another goalless 40 minutes for Everton on Monday evening, when Liverpool won the Central League "derby” by 3-0. Many Everton and Liverpool first teamers watched the game, in which it was obvious that Liverpool, like Everton, have many promising young players on their books.  The result was a blow to Everton's pride, but we will remedy that when the First Division fixture is played at Infield later in the season.  After the match most of the Everton boys went to the Supporters' Club, where the supporters made a presentation to Billy Bingham in recognition of his feat in gaining 51 international caps for Ireland.  On Wednesday, it was Billy who ended the lean spell for forwards wearing royal blue jerseys by scoring the only goal in a Central League match against Chesterfield, at Goodison Park.  This week, thank, to the chemical which made Goodison Park so playable last Saturday, we have been able to visit Bellefield again and get back into something like a normal training routine. The ground staffs at Goodison and Bellefield have a unanimous vote of thanks from the players for their tremendous efforts.  Now that Scottish clubs have voted against summer football. I am wondering what will be the next big move in soccer circles north of the border.  Much of Scotland' s football  talent Is being tempted  south by the terms now  available with English League clubs, and one  wonders Just how long  Scotland will, or can, let  this state of affairs  continue.  The often mentioned “Super League" containing the best clubs from the Scottish and English leagues could be an answer to Scotland’s problems.  There seem to be Immense barriers to stop this idea becoming a reality, but I have the feeling that an Everton v.  Glasgow Rangers league match at Goodison Park within the next decade is not as impossible as many People imagine. 

EVERTON RES V. WOLVES RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 02 March 1963
Everton Res.- Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Harris, Heslop, Sharples; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Veall.  Wolverhampton Wanderers;- Finlayson; Harris J, Harris G,; Goodwin, Slater, Knighton; Wharlton, Knowles, Galley, Kirkham, Durandt.  Referee; Mr. L. Sleddon (Leyland).  Everton were very slow off the mark and in the early stages Wolverhampton were well on top.  Kirkham went through in the first minute and luckily for Dunlop shot outside.  Wolves kept up the pressure and Everton’s luck still held.  First centre forward Gallery put the ball into the net, from a right wing corner but was deemed offside, and in the next minute from another corner he headed against the cross bar.  The ball bounced down hit Dunlop and was eventually clear off the line by Parker.  Young was not getting much change out of Knighton, and although he started one or two good moves the Wolverhampton defence were giving nothing away.  Still playing well Wolves took a deserved lead at the 26th minute.  After a pass from the right wing Kirkham gave Dunlop no chance.  Within three minutes Wolves were two up this time from galley.  He neatly beat Parker and from almost the same position as Kirkham put the ball into the net.  From Everton’s first real attack they got a goal, Young showing a little of his artistry beat two defenders, and put a beautiful pass across the centre of the goal, Veall put the ball across again and it hit half back Goodwin and cannoned into the net.  Half-time. – Everton Res 1, Wolverhampton Res 2. 

 

YOUNG AND BINGHAM TO THE FORE
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, March 4 1963
EVERTON RES 3, WOLVERHAMPTON W. RES 2
After being given a first half lesson in good football Everton Reserves were just worth their win over Wolves Reserves in the Central League game at Goodison Park thanks to fine play by Young and Bingham in the later stages of the game.  Wolves settled down quickly and had a two goal lead within thirty minutes through Kirkham and Gallery.  This could easily have been four for centre forward Galley had a goal disallowed for offside and then saw a header cannon off the crossbar, and the ball hit Dunlop’s shoulder, and fall at the feet of a defender on the line who cleared.  It was from one of Young’s delightful moves that Everton got their first goal which was slightly tinged with luck.  He beat two defenders and put across a beautiful centre and the ball went out to Veall.  He banged it back and it bounced off half-back Goodwin into the net.  This put life into Everton and after the interval they put on the pressure, Bingham and Young demoralised the visiting defence with some brilliant play and the dangerous Wignall was unlucky not to score Everton got their equaliser when Young took advantage of a defensive blunder and Bingham deservedly scored the winner with a pile-driver. 

EVERTON DENIAL
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, March 4, 1963
NO INTEREST IN DENNIS ATKINS
By Horace Yates
If Jimmy Armfield, of Blackpool and England, of some right back of almost equal statue, should suddenly become available for transfer, I have not the slightest doubt that someone would be swept aside by the draught of Everton’s swoop on the seaside club, but lesser names flashing across the scene hardly cause a ripple in the Goodison pool. One of the most recent defenders to be associated with Everton is Dennis Atkins, of Huddersfield Town, but from manager Harry Catterick last night came the statement; “I know nothing about Atkins and have no interest whatever in him.”  As if to underline that denial, the Huddersfield manager Mr. Eddie Boot, said Atkins was not available for transfer and that Everton had made no inquiries.  Mr. Boot, no doubt having the name of Wilson in mind, went further and added, “There will be no departures.  We should be silly to consider selling anyone in view of our League position.” 
SCOTT PLAYS
For their friendly game with Scottish League club Kilmarnock at Goodison Park this evening (kick-off 7.30 p.m) Everton introduce £40,000 signing from Glasgow Rangers, Alex Scott at outside right in place of Derek Temple.  Although Scott has yet to make his home League debut, it will be his second appearance at Goodison for in 1958 he played with the Scottish Under-23 team alongside Parker and Young against England Under-23 side.  He also appeared in the Everton side at Leicester on February 12.  Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey. 

KILMARNOCK AT EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Monday 04 March 1963
TICKET PLAN
EVERTON TICKETS
By Leslie Edwards
Everton are selling ground and paddock tickets (one to each person for as long as supplies last) for the match against Tottenham in April, at the turnstiles to-night, up to 7.15.  This is 15 minutes before kick-off time for the friendly this evening against Kilmarnock.  Everton ask fans not to make application for tickets for the club’s next Cup tie when the draw is made to-morrow.  Kilmarnock are bringing 14 players, but will be without right half Pat O’Connor who is stationed at Minden, in Germany, and is unable to get leave from the Army. Kilmarnock have a strong defence in which full backs Richmond and Watson have been inseparables for years, and many clubs have shown interest in left half Frank Beattie.  Centre forward, Andy Kerr, was formerly with Manchester City, and inside left David Sneddon, was a Preston player last season.  Everton play Thomson at left back and Veall at outside left.  Meagan has a chill and Morrissey a knock.  Alex Scott, the club’s new signing from Rangers, makes his home debut.  Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Veall.  Kilmarnock; - McLaughlan; Richmond, Watson; Murray, McGrory, Beattie; (from) Brown, McIlroy, Mason, Kerr, Sneddon, Black, Hamilton, King. 

TWO GOODISON GOALS FOR SCOTT
Liverpool Daily Post- Tuesday, March 5, 1963
EVERTON’S NEW STAR ON MARK IN HOME DEBUT
EVERTON 4, KILMARNOCK 1
By Michael Charters
Alex Scott, Everton’s new Scottish international right winger, made a fine home debut at Goodison Park last night when he scored two goals- one direct from a corner-in the friendly against Scottish First Division club Kilmarnock.  Everton had to fight tremendously hard to beat the Scottish club.  The intention was to provide both teams with match practice and the plan certainly worked out for it was a stirring struggle in which both sides gave everything they had.  With both team ignoring a purely defensive game there was plenty of excitement for the crowd and their biggest disappointment must have been the way Everton fell off in the second half after leading by two goals at the interval.  Everton’s big failing again was in attack.  Although they had more of the play in the first half their shooting was not good and Kilmarnock could only blame their own poor finishing for not getting more out of the match than they did.  A good proportion of the crowd no doubt came to see Scott make his home debut.  Scott suffered from a poor service of the ball and had a very quite match although it was remarkable that he had a direct part to play in Everton’s first three goals. 
SHOULDERED OFF
After two minutes he was sent racing away into the penalty area from a fine pass by Young and he was shouldered off the ball by Watson with the result that the crowd had the quick excitement of a penalty award which Vernon promptly slashed home.  In these early stages it was all Everton and a great shot by Vernon was tipped over the bar by McLaughlan, who had a wonderful match for Kilmarnock.  Vernon looked in tremendous form in the first quarter of an hour and when he side-stepped three Kilmarnock defenders to hammer another shot just wide even his opponents applauded this brilliant piece of work.  Kilmarnock gradually settled into their stride inspired by their first class constructive wing-half Beattie and West had to make a full-length dive to clutch one shot from Kerr.  Towards the interval Kilmarnock became quite impressive with clever forward play in which brown and Sneddon did particularly well, but after Watson had cleared off the line from a Young header which had beaten McLaughlan, Scott, who had hardly touched the ball for twenty minutes took the resultant corner kick.  He sent in a curling flag kick and McLaughlan, pulled out of position, finger tipped it into the net.  Then Scott, who had hardly touched the ball, half-a-dozen times in this half had contributed to Everton having a two-goal lead at half-time.  For the first half-hour after the interval it was Kilmarnock who had most of the play.  The forwards, interchanged positions cleverly with both wingers excellent and they fully tested Everton’s defence in which Labone and Kay were outstanding.  In fact Kay gave another brilliant performance which made him the man of the match.
TURNED ON PRESSURE
Everton’s forward had been out of the game for long spells but in the last ten minutes they suddenly opened out to play their finest football of the match in which they coupled brilliant constructive work with powerful finishing.  Kerr scored for Kilmarnock after excellent work by Black, putting the ball in the net from close range and then Everton suddenly turned on the pressure to score two late goals which gave the score line rather a false impression an did not indicate just how well Kilmarnock had played.  Nine minutes from the end Scott scored a brilliant taken goal after corner with the ball bobbing about and Stevens finally crossing it to the winger who smashed it into the net at great speed!  Four minutes later Parker put over a long cross and Young went up brilliantly with McLaughlan to head it gently into the net.  Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.  Kilmarnock;- McLaughlan; King, Watson; Murray, McGrory, Beattie; Brown, Mason, Kerr, Sneddon, Black.  Referee; Mr. A. Edge (Liverpool). 

EVERTON FANS SAY...
Liverpool Daily Post- Tuesday March 5, 1963
JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED...
Alex Scott was a happy man last night after his memorable Goodison Park debut in which he scored two goals.  Scott, given an ovation as he left the pitch, said later, “I was very pleased with the way things went for me.  It was great to be in action again- and on a soft ground.”  “The corner kick was just one of those things-a bit fortunate really, but it went in the net and that was all I was worrying about,” said the “twenty-five-years-old Scottish international winger.  “The fans,” he added were very good, just as enthusiastic as those at Ibrox, but not so critical.  I hope they were pleased.”  Goodison is a fine ground and it’s a treat to play there –more so since the surface was nice and soft after all the ice we’ve had these last couple of months.  “Yes you can say it was quite a night all round.”  Sharing Scott’s happiness were most of the 24,000 Everton supporters at last night’s game.  “He’s just what the doctor ordered- with the speed he’s got Liverpool won’t see which way he’s going, said one of them. 

HARRY STORER JOINS EVERTON
Liverpool Daily Post- Tuesday, March 5, 1963
Everton yesterday took on to their scouting staff Harry Storer, who until the end of last season was manager of Derby County, and was formerly with Coventry City.  Harry, a former England international footballer and Cricketer, will be on duty for Everton tomorrow.  Both he and Everton manager, Mr. Harry Catterick have similar views on the type of player they prefer and any recommendation by Mr. Strorer will be viewed with interest.  In the managerial days Mr. Storer had a reputation for obtaining the last ounce of effort from his players and nothing short of a 100 per cent enthusiasts had any real chance of pleasing him. 

ALEX SCOTT TURNS POOR SERVICE TO GOOD ADVANTAGE
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express - Tuesday 05 March 1963
By Michael Charters
A 23,766 crowd, a good proportion or whom must have come specially to see the home debut of Everton’s new international winger, Alex Scott, in the friendly against Kilmarnock, at Goodison Park last night, were rewarded by a remarkable game in which Scott, although having a quiet match, scored two goals and had a direct part to play in another.  This was the sort of debut to dream about, Scott, who did not have a good service of the ball, was out of the match for long spells but showed that he is a powerful finisher and a man likely to out some much needed punch into the Everton attack.  The game, which was designed to provide match practice for both sides, did just that for it was a hard-fought tussle from start to finish with Everton’s winning margin of 4-1 being rather an unfair reflection of the play so far as Kilmarnock was concerned.  For long periods, particularly in the second half, Kilmarnock showed most attractive constructive play with wingers Black and Brown doing excellently.  They were backed by a first class display at left half from Beattie.  Sneddon, the former Preston player, also had a good match at inside left, but their star was goalkeeper McLaughlan.  He made a series of magnificent saves from Vernon, Stevens, and Gabriel, and he was applauded off at the end by the receptive and enthusiastic Everton crowd.  When Kilmarnock were dominating the game as they did for long spells in the second half, Labone and Kay were outstanding in Everton’s defence which was fully extended to hold this clever side.  Kay, in particular, had another great game following his display against Wolves.  Everton’s failing before they made the game safe with two late goals, was the lack of finish in attack- a criticism which could also be applied to the visiting forwards, who spoiled much of their good work with indecisive finishing.  This, however, was plainly Scott’s night.  Within two minutes he went chasing into the penalty area to connect with a fine pass by Young, and was bundled off the ball by left back Watson.  Vernon dispatched the resultant penalty into the net with his usual accuracy.  From then on up to half hour stage Everton were on top, with McLaughlan saving brilliantly from Vernon, who also hit two tremendous shots just wide. 
HIT UPRIGHT
Kilmarnock, who were slow into their stride then came more into the game, and West had to make a great save from Kerr, with King coming up from full back to hit a wonderful shot from 30 yards which hit the upright with West beaten.  Watson cleared a header from Young off the line when his goalkeeper was beaten for once, and this produced the corner from which Scott scored his first goal for his new club, and McLaughlin made his only mistake of the game.  Scott’s corner kick was an inswinger, and McLaughin, who had moved out from his goal line, was deceived, and although he jumped in the air, he could only fingertip the ball further on into the net.  This came just before half time, and Kilmarnock started the second half as though they meant to get back into the game and earn just equality.  Sneddon volleyed a great shot just over the top and Everton were engaged at this stage in a tough defensive struggle, with the forwards not making much headway on the few occasions they broke away.  After 73 minutes Kerr scored Kilmarnock’s goal from close range, following a fine bit of work by Black on the wing.  It looked at this stage as though Kilmarnock were going to earn a draw, but in the closing 10 minutes Everton’s forwards suddenly found their form and swept the Kilmarnock defence out of sight.  They played superbly in these closing minutes and with nine minutes to go, Scott crashed home an unstoppable shot following a corner from the left.  Two minutes later Young went up well to head a long cross from Parker slowly into the net after just beating McLaughlan in the air and the Kilmarnock goalkeeper ended the proceedings on a high note with two magnificent saves from Stevens, Everton’s best forward, and Gabriel.  Steven’s hard work in midfield was remarkable, but his shooting in the first half was just as poor.  Had he taken his time he might have scored three times. 

WITH LESLIE EDWARDS
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Tuesday, March 5, 1963
No fewer than eight clubs visited Goodison Park on Saturday – presumably to see Frank Wignall, the centre forward who is now available for transfer.  They included Stoke City, Aston Villa, Fulham, Swansea, Scunthorpe, Preston North End, Oldham Athletic, and Chester.  So there are around some managers who feel this player could do them good.  Everton plainly cannot stand in Wignall’s way any longer.  I think he would get a stack of goals in Second Division football.  His fractional slowness in getting into his stride makes him just short of top class.  That he has a shot and enthusiasm and skill is unquestionable.  Whoever takes him will get a good servant. 
Letters
“I remember seeing extra time in the Everton v. Sunderland, Everton v. Wolves, Southport v. Newcastle and Liverpool v. Burnley (at Blackburn) cup games, but, like you, I never recall seeing the referee toss for choice of ends or kick-off in relation to the extra time period.” – J.B.K. Allerton, Liverpool 19.
  “My friends and I (red-hot Liverpudlians) were disappointed the other night when we went to a charity show in Huyton, in which Liverpool and Everton footballers were appearing.  We especially wanted to see our team, of course, but not one of the players turned up.  Six Everton players arrived.  Let’s see some of the Liverpool players more often- even if its only two.- Miss S. Frodsham, 67 Sutcliffe Street, Liverpool 6.
  “Why did Everton make the Spurs match all ticket and then decide to sell the stand tickets during working hours, when the majority of their supporters are at work?  Why not make all the important games pay at the turnstiles and then everyone has a fair chance.  Why this new all-ticket gimmick?  Is it because of the possibility of neither of the clubs being set for honours on April 20?” –W. McLoughlin, 11 Cartmel close, Huyton. 

EVERTON AT WEST HAM
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 05 March 1963
The F.A Cup draw with the big “if,” in which 36 clubs instead of the normal 16 went into the hat for the fifth round, was made in London today. 
FOR THIRD SUCCESSIVE TIME
By Leslie Edwards
Both away again-for the third time this season.  That was the grim news for Everton and Liverpool from Lancashire Gate today. 
TWO CLEAR-CUT
Everton’s is one of two clear-cut ties.  They go to West Ham, where they won galliantly on a bitter cold day when last they were set a Cup task there- in 1950 when the score was 2-1.  More recently, in 1957, Everton beat West Ham at Goodison Park in the fourth round by an identical score.  West Ham opened Wembley with Bolton Wanderers in the early 1920’s when the final was delayed because the crowd encroached on ton the playing pitch.  It was West Ham that Everton beat in a semi-final at Wolverhampton in 1933 before going on to victory at Wembley over Manchester City.  When the clubs met at Goodison Park this season, on December 8, West Ham got a draw.  Among their stars is Brabrook, the former Chelsea winger whom Everton sought before West Ham signed him, Byrne, the former Crystal Palace centre forward, and England wing half-back, Bobby Moore. 
NEVER BEFORE
Never before have the two senior sides in this city been drawn away three times consecutively.  Everton were drawn at opponents’ grounds three times in succession in 1948 and then lost to a London club, Fulham, in a replay. 

TRANMERE PROTEST TO FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 05 March 1963
GOODISON GAME CLASHED WITH PRENTON FIXTURE
ATTENDANCE HIT
By Leslie Edwards
Tranmere Rovers protested verbally yesterday, and by letter to-day, to the Football League about Everton’s promotion of a friendly match last night against Kilmarnock and the sale of tickets at the match for the vital League game against Tottenham Hotspur a Goodison Park in April.  Tranmere had an attractive home League fixture against Brentford on the same evening and estimate that the rival attraction on the other side of the Mersey cost them between 3,000 and 4,000 spectators.  There were more than 23,000 at Goodison Park and only 8,500 at Prenton Park, Southport also had a home League fixture last night and Liverpool Reserves a Central League game against Aston Villa at Anfield.  Tranmere based their complaint on League rule 27 which reads; “Clubs shall not arrange matches other than League matches until after the League fixtures are settled nor improperly interfere with other club’s home fixture.  Clubs desiring to stage representative matches must ensure that such matches do not interfere with the fixtures of neighbouring clubs.” 
PARTLY TO BLAME
League Secretary, Mr. Alan Hardaker, said to-days; When Tranmere approached us yesterday it was too late for us to advise Everton that the ticket sale should not proceed.  The whole business has been something of a chapter of errors.  We at the League are partly to blame because in the weiter of fixtures we are having to arrange we authorised the Everton friendly, not appreciating that Tranmere and Southport both had home games the same night.  The League do not look kindly on sales of tickets as incentives to attendance.  “I think Everton too did not appreciate when they fixed the match that there were games at Tranmere and Southport.  In the circumstances the Tranmere protest was justified.  They would certainly have had a bigger crowd if there had been no counter-attraction at Goodison Park.”  Tranmere manager, Dave Russell, said today; “We protested by telephone yesterday and have written to the League to-day.  Unfortunately we did not get to know about the sale of tickets for the Spurs game until mid-afternoon and then it was too late for the League to do anything.  “Naturally we feel a bit put out that we should lose between three and four thousand spectators from the game against Brentford I don’t want to say anything more about the matter.   All I want the public to know is that we have made our protest.  That the League say that it is justified convinces us that we have done all we can.”  Everton Manager Mr. Harry Catterick told of Tranmere’s action said; “We are naturally sorry that Tranmere have suffered.  We did not appreciate they had a game when we fixed the Kilmarnock fixture last Friday.  “When we proposed the match to the League we took it they would examine the fixtures of other clubs in the area.  When they gave their authority we assumed that we were not interfering with other club’s arrangements in this area.  “We have complied with the regulations.  We should never have pressed for a Monday evening game if the League had advised us that it would not be in the interests of Tranmere and Southport. “ 

ENGLISH TROPHY MATCH AT GOODSON 
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 06 March 1963
By Paul O’Brien 
Liverpool Boys will play their fifth round English Schools’ Trophy tie against Coalville (Leicestershire) at Goodison Park next Tuesday evening. Kick-off  7.15.  The match, which was first  postponed on January 5, had been arranged for Penny Lane  on Saturday afternoon, but when the Everton club last night offered the Schools' FA.;  the use of their ground, this  was quickly and gratefully  accepted.  It will be Liverpool Boys' first game at a senior ground in the city this season, but this should be no handicap for they have already played on the grounds of Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley and Stoke City.  Five members of the Liverpool side—Melling, Grant, Jenkins, Roach and Baker - have also played at Burnden Park. Bolton, in an intercounty match. 
WITHDRAWN 
Liverpool should have taken part in an inter-town schools indoor football five-a-side competition at Southport to-morrow night, but have now withdrawn from this event.  The competition is being run in conjunction with an opening tourney which attracted 148 entries, the last 16 of which will play to-night.  The schoolboys will play five minutes each way, and the semi-finals and final will be played on Friday.

SOUTHPORT SUPPORT TRANMERE PROTEST
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 07 March 1963 
By Leslie Edwards
Tranmere Rovers and Southport are still smarting at the loss of revenue occasioned by Everton’s promotion of a friendly match against Kilmarnock (and a ticket sale for the Tottenham game) on Monday. Mr. Jack Clough. vice Chairman  of Southport F.C. and the representative of  the Third and Fourth Division clubs at Football  League meetings, is especially sore because, he says  Southport is almost unique in a football sense in  that they have in the town an Everton Supporters'  club. Many of these fans would have come to see us if the Everton game had not been on, he maintains, and so would many hundreds of football followers who work in Liverpool and live in Southport.  “We are not protesting to the League." Mr. Clough told me but we are writing them supporting Tranmere and asking that such a situation shall never arise again. The counter-attraction of a match at Goodison Park was bad enough, but when the added incentive of sale of tickets for an attraction like Everton v. Tottenham was added the wonder was that we got 2,000 people at Haig Avenue."  I sympathise with Tranmere and Southport. Could not Everton make a gesture to help the smaller clubs and put right a wrong, however inadvertently caused?  Here's a remarkable thing. Liverpool, with no announcement on the subject, have sold every stand seat for the game on Good Friday against Tottenham, at Anfield.  A rather irate follower of the club phoned me yesterday saying that his application had been turned down because all tickets were sold- this seven weeks in advance of the match.  What is more there are very few stand tickets left for the Anfield match against Manchester United, also due to be played during the Easter holidays. 
PLAYED “A”: TEAM GOALKEEPER AND WON
A correspondent intrigued by an answer on this page that two clubs years ago each provided two players in identical positions for the same International (Charlie Gee, of Everton and England, and Tom Griffiths, of Everton and Wales, both centre half-backs, and Tom Waring, Villa and England, and Dai Astley, Villa and Wales, both centre-forward) recalls an even stranger selection of two goalkeeper from the same club for the same International.  It happened, says former referee Mr. Ben Meggs, in the early 1920’s when Liverpool, not wanting to discriminate between their two star men between the sticks, Elisha Scott and Kenny Campbell, elected to let Ireland choose one and Scotland the other.  Moreover, Liverpool gave a debut to their “A” team goalkeeper, McNaughton, that day although they were meeting Everton in a League match at Anfield, and came through with distinction by the only goal of the match.  For a club to release international players in this way would be unthinkable in 1963. 
WEBBER’S INJURY
Keith Webber, Everton’s young Welsh centre forward, who damaged a knee badly in collision with another Everton player in a five-a-side trial game yesterday, has badly damaged ligaments.  He is to see the club specialist when the swelling and pain of the injury disappears.  It is thought that the trouble is serious. 

IRISH –SAYS ROY VERNON
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, March 8, 1963
AT HOME BY TIME CUP SEMI-FINALS ARE REACHED
There is one thing about being drawn away in every round of the F.A Cup-we shall feel at home by the time the semi-finals and final come round, if you see what I mean.  It may sound a trifle Irish and don’t think I am applauding our fortune in being drawn at West Ham! It would have been much better at Goodison but why worry?  We have set our hearts on winning the Cup this year and home or away, our opponents are just teams we mean to beat.  Some of the Everton supporters hear of a match for us in London and shudder.  They need not bother! I know our record in the capital city can hardly be called inspiring and even this season we have been beaten at Leyton and Fulham but the main point is that we have turned the corner.  At White Hart Lane earlier this season, we held Tottenham to a draw and if we can hold Spurs on their own ground, why should we tremble at the mention of the name of West Ham or any of the other London clubs for that matter? 
HAPPY LOT AGAIN
It is pleasant chance to be able to think ahead to a match, knowing there is a reasonable chance of it being played, and moreover with training facilities back to normal a footballer’s lot is becoming a happy one again.  I don’t intend to stick my neck out far enough to tell the world that we will beat West Ham on their own think we can, but I am ground, even if privately I prepared to forecast that we will win the tie!  Doubters may point to the fact that not many matches ago West Ham came to Goodison Park and held us to a draw and add that if they can do that on our ground, why shouldn’t they have the advantage when playing at home.  My recollection of that game was that we had enough chances to have won any two normal games.  It was one of those days on which we could do little right and although the Brabrook equaliser was a whale of a shot, it was the type that could have gone anywhere.  It was our misfortune that it hit the back of the net. 
BID FOR TITLE
We still harbour hopes of making a brave bid for the title, but we have to win a lot of matches to pull off that ambition.  To win the Cup at Wembley all we need now are four more victories.  That’s all-just four wins!  It is no use telling me these four games will be tough.  Of course, they will, but what is exceptional about that?  Every game we play is tough simply because we are a No.1 target for every club o that I think it is fair to say we have grown up with a Cup-tie atmosphere throughout the season.  Another point is that we have more experience of the big game atmosphere than any of the clubs remaining in the competition. We are accustomed to vast crowds and electric atmosphere and no matter where we play on Saturday’s we are assured of a vast following.  I doubt if there is any club in the League which takes away with them more supporters than Everton.  Since we drew West Ham, there has been changes in the line-up of our side.  I don’t think anyone will deny the assertion that the introduction of Tony Kay at half back has made us an even more formidable force than we were previously, Kay’s experience tells not only in defence but in attack too, and the difference will help the Everton cause.  Even more recently we have introduced Alex Scott at outside right and judging by the way he played on Monday and scored his goals we have got a real winner here.  Unfortunately for us Alex will not be available for round five. We owe it to him to get through to round six so that he can have his first taste of Cup fighting English version. 
NOT LET DOWN
In the meantime we have adequate ability to ensure that because we have to make a change at outside right we will not be let down.  I have a feeling in my bones that following two disappointments in succession against Leicester City and Wolves somebody is going to pay.  It could start with Nottingham Forest and continue at West Ham.  The season is entering on its most decisive and interesting stage and I have an idea that the Everton supporters will be the envy of most clubs as the remaining weeks roll on.  We have some through the period of construction and build up.  Now the hour of fulfilment is at hand.  Everton simply cannot let down their supporters- and we have no intention of doing so. 

NOTTS WILL TRY TO ‘SMOTHER’ EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Friday 08 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
Nottingham Forest, a side whose off -side tactics have baffled Everton more than once, make the opposition at Goodison Park to-morrow. The game marks the first home League appearance for his new club of the former Rangers and Scotland right winger, Alex Scott. Owing to F.A. laws Scott will not be available a week to-morrow when Everton play their tie in London against West Ham. The new boy has already had a run with the first team at Leicester and in the friendly against Kilmarnock this week, so he makes his League bow at home with some advantages.  When the sides were due to meet at Nottingham, last October. International calls on Everton prevented the game being placed Everton won the rearranged match—a magnificent one—by four goals to three.  With weeks of frost coming out of grounds everywhere pitches will be unprecedently soft; in many cases of pudding consistency. That is why I thing we shall get more freakish results than on any other Saturday this season. Indeed, the transformation from iron-hard grounds to pitches inches deep in mire could have bearing on the League championship and Cup.  The teams which "stay" the course best (and many of them have been only half-trained) will come out on top nearly every time.  Everton are not a big, strong side suited to heavy going, but neither are Nottingham Forest.  Everton fans will be looking for better finishing from the inside three than characterised their play against Wolves. There can be no more slips like that if Everton are to keep pace with Spurs and Leicester.  Everton will recall the desperate winter of 1963 with regret. They were clear top when the snow started and little that has happened meantime has been in their favour.  After the Leicester curtain the Nottingham defensive wall! Manager Andy Beattie, one of the game's really good fellows, tightened up his defence by playing the 4.3.3. plan and getting a draw in the Cup against West Bromwich. Coming after six consecutive League defeats this goalless draw, after conceding 20 goals in six League games must have been most unexpected.  Nottingham Forest have been preparing at Southport where they have been having a refresher course. There they are perfecting the plan which has centre-forward,  Peter Hindley—he's only 18—playing almost as a second  centre half-back. Hindley is the son of a pre-War Forest centre forward, Frank Hindley, who was a Powderhall sprinter.  The one-time Liverpool back, Jim Harley, won the Powderhall, under an assumed name, and is now back in his native Fife town of Methil.  No one can say that Everton have not been forewarned of Forest's defence in depth plan—one which seems to be catching on among Midland clubs. It is up to the tacticians at Goodison Park to devise some plan to obviate being smothered by the Nottingham Forest blanket.

MEAGAN, MORRISSEY BACK FOR EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Friday 08 March 1963
FOREST AT GOODISON
By Leslie Edwards   
Mick Meagan, who missed the Kilmarnock friendly owing to having a cold, is back In the Everton defence for the visit to-morrow to Goodison Park of Nottingham Forest.  Scott, formerly of Rangers, makes his home League debut at outside right, with Morrissey returning to the left wing.  Webber the Everton reserve who damaged a knee in a five-a-side match at Bellefield has seen a specialist, but no report on the damage has yet been made. It is thought that the injury is not as serious as was thought at first. He attends the ground for treatment, but is on crutches.  Everton have appointed, as their Midland scout, Harry Storer, the onetime Coventry and Derby County manager.  He is 70 years old, a former Derbyshire cricketer and a man steeped in football knowledge.  His father was a goalkeeper with Liverpool and other clubs.  Residue of ground tickets (3s) unsold for the Everton- Tottenham match in April will be sold at the turnstiles at Goodison Park to-morrow up to 2.45.  Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey. 

ANOTHER 3-4-3 FORMATION SEEMS LIKELY
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday, March 9, 1963
NOTTINGHAM FOREST ARE NOT IN MOOD FOR ANY DAZZLING DISPLAY
By Horace Yates
Suffocation soccer!  That appears to be a phase through which we are now passing, and the sooner it goes the better it will be for football-starved supporters all over the country, who now find programmes, if not standards, back to normal, for more and more teams are placing the emphasis on uncompromising defensive formations, which permit open play only by accident.  Leicester City switched to this approach to shatter Liverpool and now it appears that Nottingham Forest may have similar ideas for their clash with Everton at Goodison Park today.  This was not the way of it in November when Everton won 4-3 in a fast and spectacularly open match, but six successive League reserves have caused a reassessment of idea by Forest and having conceded five goals to Manchester United, four to West Ham, three each to Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham, and two in Leicester City.  Nottingham are in no mood for exhibition play.  They probably take the view that if they attempt to oppose Everton with ideas of putting football skills, it will be tantamount to presenting them with two points, which should help them to make inroads into the four points advantage Spurs at present boast over Everton, for Tottenham could easily come unstuck at Old Trafford. 
SELECTION CLUE
The clue to Nottingham’s pan of campaign comes in the selection of their side, for when manager Andy Beattie named it last night; eighteen-years-old Hindley was included at centre forward.  He played in the goal-less Cup-tie with West Brom on Wednesday, but this will be his League debut, and his role is undoubtedly a second centre half no matter what the number on his back may suggest to the contrary.  I saw Forest beat Liverpool by three goals to one on September 8 and they achieved that by the men-meticulous man-for-man marking I have ever seen.  It was a plan which was serving them well, and certainly Liverpool were caught in the talks, just as were other opponents subsequently, but it was blasted wide open by Tottenham’s 9-2 victory over Forest at the end of the month and plainly they had to start thinking again.  The 3-4-3 copy of Leicester City is the outcome; I deplore these negative tactics as a regular feature even though a case might be made out for them for specific occasions.  Whether Forest can justify this being termed a special occasion I don’t know, but Everton at least should be –tactically prepared to make the plan as unrewarding as did Tottenham on the earlier occasion.  What really worries me is what will happen when we get two 3-4-3 teams in oppositional.  Under such circumstances a ball might be an embarrassment.  Of course, Forest could seek to justify their defence in depth plan by pointing to the goals they have concede in games away from home- the worst record in Division One.  Desperate situations demand desperate measures, they may claim. 
UNSIGHTLY RASH
Because additional successes for this negative approach to football will almost certainly cause the defensive idea to spread like an unsightly rash over the Football League, I trust Everton may not only win, but win handsomely.  If it is one of their form days, this Everton attack is ideally suited to deflate the menace, and a stirring triumph would remove any lingering doubts about this being the season of achievement, for the Leicester, Wolves upsets have produced a cloud where the sky seemed so clear.  With Alex Scott making his home League debut, and bringing new scoring power, this line can be devastating especially if Young and Stevens work the quick, darting move with Vernon that has non-plussed so many opposing sides.  Forest are without their captain and also their former leader, for Whitefoot is back among the halves instead of Palmer, and out goes Billy Gray to enable Wilson to play his first game of 1963 at right back.  He joined the Nottingham players yesterday at Southport, where they have been spending three days toping up for this match and Monday’s F.A Cup replay with West Brom.  No doubt they will try to use the Everton game as a proving ground for the tactics they hope will see them through to the fifth round of the Cup.  Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  Nottingham Forest; Grummitt; Wilson, Mochan; Whitefoot, McKinlay, Winfield, Vowden, Addison, Hindley, Quigley, Le Flem. 

EVERTON MAY FACE BLANKET DEFENCE
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 09 March 1963
BATTLE OF TACTICS LOOKS LIKELY
By Leslie Edwards
Nottingham Forest, one of the oldest and most famous clubs in the land, are at Goodison Park today trying to counter a defeat by four goals to three at Nottingham late last year.  They usher in the post-Ice Age period of season 1962-63, one which will be remembered as the one which came closest to causing abandonment of the second half of the League programme.  The occasion is notable as the first home appearance in a League match of Alex Scott whom Everton signed from Rangers to strengthened the outside right position held for so long by Billy Bingham.  Scott has already shown that he should suit English soccer – he has the necessary pace – and on the face of it Everton should win comfortably, Forest lost six matches in a row prior to their goalless draw with West Bromwich in mid-week.  Like Leicester, Nottingham are likely to present their opponents to-day with the problem of blanket defence.  They also have some shrewd offside ideas- never popular with the opposite or opposing fans – so the battle will be largely a tactical one.  Hindley, an 18-years-old who is likely to make his debut at centre forward in the Forest side, will probably function more in defence than attack.  If Julians plays the Brian Labone, who had a nightmare match against the same player in Nottingham last season, will face the game with no special pleasure.  Julians is not a sizeable player but he is a very elusive one.  The Forest back Gray, a small stocky man, is one of the few characters left in football.  He started as a winger with Chelsea and was later with Burnley.  He scarcely ever plays badly.  If they put him in goal I don’t doubt he would make a success of the job.  Andy Beattie, the Forest manager was a great player – a contemporary at Preston of Bill Shankly – and is a fine judge of a player.  The issue in the match is likely to be decided as much by managerial tactics as by the 22 players on the field. 
HEAVY GROUND
Everton show two changes from the side which beat Kilmarnock, Mick Meagan, club man supreme, comes back in place of George Thomson, and Johnny Morrissey resumes on the left wing in place of Derek Temple.  After yesterday’s rain the ground must be on the heavy side; indeed the game could be the greatest mud-plugging effort of this season.  No wonder Manager Harry Catterick still maintains that football from March to November would give ball artists better opportunity to show their skill.  Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  Nottingham Forest; Grummitt; Wilson, Machen; Whitefoot, McKinlay, Winfield; Vowden, Addison, Hindley, Quigley, Le Flem. 

EAGER EVERTON BEAT THE BLANKET PLAN
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 09 March 1963
LATE GABRIEL GOAL CLINCHES VICTORY
EVERTON 2, NOTTM FOREST 0
By Leslie Edwards

Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon (Captain), Morrissey.  Nottingham Forest;- Grummitt; Wilson, Machan; Cobb, McKinlay, Winfield; Hockney, Addison, Quigley, Le Flem.  Referee.- Mr. R. J. Simons (Carlisle). The rain ruined the attendance at Goodison Park for the home league debut of Alex Scott and the visit of Notts Forest whom Everton had beaten 4-3 before the great freeze up.  There was a strong wind, a very heavy pitch, and a pretty sparse crowd at the outset, no doubt due to delay to traffic through the Tunnel.  Forest had two late changes – Cobb for Lightfoot and Hockey Vowden, Hindley at centre forward was making his league debut.  Wen Vernon won the toss Forest were set to play against the wind.  I understand that Mr. Archie Gourlay a Scottish selector, was among those present.  Morrissey was close with a right foot shot in the first minute after West had safely fielded a long through ball which came through quickly in the swirling wind.  Young, Hindley, already playing back in the half-back line, was glad to give a corner away in the early moments, and from this first Stevens, then Gabriel, had headers headed away. 
EVERTON’S NEAR MISSES
A moment later Labone, with West ready to pick up the ball unopposed, decided to take no chance and slashed it for a corner.  It was clear that the ground would test everybody’s stamina and it was equally clear that Forest not be slow to catch Everton in their offside trap.  From a free kick the ball went to Stevens, standing at the edge of the penalty area, and his shot was half-saved by Grummitt the ball passing on to the far upright before it finally went for a corner.  Scott’s first centre was a beauty.  Unfortunately Young got rather too far underneath it and nodded it over the bar when everything pointed to his putting Everton in front.  The strength of the wind was shown by Grummitt’s difficulty in placing the ball for goal kicks.  Meagan came across to save a desperate situation after Stevens had blundered in midfield.  Trying a volley after Young’s attempt at a pass had been crowded out. Scott hit a left foot shot only a foot or two wide of the far upright.  He is a solid looking player, taller than most wingers Everton have had in recent years.  Everton went ahead after 14 minutes with a goal by Young, Scott threw the ball in to parker, whose high centre towards the far goal angle seemed to pose no special problem to Grummitt.  He rose to the ball and got bother hands to it, but it slipped from his grasp and all Young had to do was to poke out a foot and edge it over the line.  West dealt safely with a swirling shot by Quigley to keep his side in the lead, but there was not a lot of pace on the ball and its main danger was its speed off the ground before the goalkeeper fielded it.  Kay now came to right half-back to deliver a solid right foot shot for which Grummitt had to go full strength, and then wing half-back Winfield got a cheer all for himself for joining his forwards and bitting a shot that West could take no chances with as it arrived fast and low.  The crowd did not very much like Alec Young’s pass to Labone at this moment, and said so.  There was some pretty fierce tackling, come of it from Vernon and on the face of the evidence so far it seemed that this could be a match that might well get contentious.
BLANKEY DEFENCE
It was a day when the wind and ground made mistakes inevitable.  The speed of both sides so far obviously could not last to the 90th minute, or anything near it.  Forest’s blanket defence was proving troublesome but Everton went worth their lead.  Grummitt was injured when going down bravely to the feet of a rampaging Gabriel.  The game was stopped for the first time while he received attention.  The crowd scuttled for shelter when the rain began again.  Happily for Nottingham, Grumitt was soon able to resume.  Meagan’s passing was magnificent, Stevens, catching Grummitt in possession, hit him solidly shoulder to shoulder and caused him to fall with the ball so that Everton got yet one more corner.  But Forest were gradually coming a little more into the game.  Meagan was having a grand game, his use of the ball invariably being excellent.  Little Quigley got a corner when picking up a long through pass from Le Flem, but Hockey slammed the ball straight out of play. Half-time; Everton 1, Nottingham Forest nil.
The Forest players were booed as they left the field, probably because Hindley had been policing Young for the whole of the first half, rather than doing his normal centre forward duty.  The wind was gusting very strongly and making control of the ball a problem for everybody.  West had to take two attempts to field a right foot shot from Le Flem, who was operating for the time being on the right wing.  This was the first time Everton defence had been in any sort of danger for 20 minutes or so.  Wilson was spoken to by the referee after a foul on Morrissey which produced a free kick on the edge of the penalty box.  Vernon rammed the ball hard across and either Gabriel or Young connected with it and pushed it on the foot of the post from which the ball rebounded against a defender for still another corner.  Kay dug up a short pass for Gabriel to hit one of the fiercest shots of the game- a left-footer which climbed over the bar by a foot or two. 
CORKSCREW RUN
Le Flem’s back heel touches were a feature of the game.  He rarely missed his mark with any of them.  A long corkscrew run by Kay, and a pass to Young, led to Grummitt making yet one more save low down with Vernon coming in on him so fast that the Everton player had to straddle him to avoid a collision.  Then Kay produced the game’s most enlivening moment by carving his way through, and delivering a left foot shot which all but got there at the goal angle.  The excitement of this moment was more than matched by a drive from Stevens from 25 yards out which Grummitt did extra ordinarily well to flick over the top.  There followed another extraordinary moment because Scott, in taking the corner kick, connected both with the ball and the flag post.  The ball only travelled only a yard or two and Scott realised that he could not play it a second time.  Everton’s answer to the defence in depth was to crowd everybody into attack.  When Young was sailing through and was challenged from both sides, he went down spectacularly, but again the appeal for a penalty was dismissed.  Stevens had desperate luck when striking the post after Grummitt had only half got the ball away with a palming save.  So apart from having a massed defence to face this was not Everton’s day for a variety of reasons.  It was defence all the time now for the Forest.  Everton went two up when Scott found Parker on the right wing and the back made a storming shot which Grummitt only half saved.  The ball rebounded from the goalkeeper to Gabriel, who was standing close up with Vernon and the ball rebounded from the half back over the line. Although Gabriel probably gets the credit for the goals, the honour of it undoubtedly goes to Parker.  A right foot on shot on the turn by Gabriel produced an outstanding save by Grummitt, who somehow contrived to get the ball away for a corner. A moment later he was saving from Stevens.  Hockey almost made it 2-1 when Meagan, Labone and company got into a tangle and nearly let him in following Forest’s best attack of the game.  Scott had been rarely seen in this half although nearly all the action was taking place in the Forest half.  It was a tame finish to the very ordinary match with Everton on top and Forest struggling hard to confine the score to two goals.  Grummitt’s final piece of work was to come to the edge of the penalty box to deny Stevens when that player had been allowed to go when apparently in an offside position.  Grummitt was one of the day’s heroes and but for him Everton must have won comfortably.  Final; Everton 2, Nottingham Forest nil.  Official attendance 44,924. 

CITY MISSES THE CUP LUCK AGAIN
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 09 March 1963
By Alex Young
It was headline news when Everton fielded an almost full first team in the Central League fixture last month against Derby County Reserves at Goodison Park, but I am told that a similar thing happened 28 years ago and at that time aroused very little comment.  This interesting piece of information was contained in a letter to me this week from an exiled Evertonian in Oldbury, Birmingham.  Unfortunately, the writer omitted to add his signature.  How’s this for an Everton Central League side.  King; Jackson, Cresswell; Britton, Gee, Thomson; Leyfield, Cunliffe, Dean, Stevenson, Hannon.  The date Everton fielded this formidable reserves team was April 27, 1935, when they visited The Hawthorns to play West Bromwich Reserves.  The final score was 3-3 and the Everton marksmen Cunliffe (two) and Stevenson.  Everton were without a First Division fixture that day, but West Bromwich fielded their usual Central League side; they had to because the first team were otherwise engaged at Wembley, where Sheffield Wednesday beat them 4-2 in the F.A. Cup Final.  On referring to the Football Echo of that day, I find Everton managed to pick up a cup themselves.  Another side playing under the title of “Everton Reserves” beat Bury 3-1 at Goodison Park in the Lancashire Cup Final.  For the record, Everton’s side at Goodison Park was; Deighton; Williams, Jones; Mercer, Clark, Archer; Geldard, Bentham, Dickson, Webster, Stein.  What price these two teams at present day transfer market values. 
DISAPPOINTMENT
Tuesday’s Cup draw produced another disappointment not only for the Everton and Liverpool players, but also for the fans who support both clubs so loyally.  With the local clubs drawn away in all three rounds so far, these supporters have certainly had a raw deal from Dame Fortune in the Cup so far, but if the eventual outcome is an Everton-Liverpool meeting at Wembley, then everything will be forgiven.  Our fifth round tie next Saturday will, like all away Cup games, be a tough one, and you will remember that West Ham played exceptionally well when holding us to a 1-1 draw at Goodison park earlier in the season.  The Hammers are, however, a footballing side and should allow us to play our normal type of game.  Cup forecasting is a dangerous hobby, but given reasonable luck, I’m confident Everton will go into that hat for round six.  Worcestershire cricketer Jim Standen showed at Goodison Park that he is more than adequate stand-in (no pun intended) for goalkeeper Lawrie Leslie, while West Ham’s wing halves, Martin Peters and Bobby Moore, are a fine pair who cannot be allowed to take too tight a grip on the game.  For this match the F.A. have ruled that we must manage without our new Scottish winger, Alex Scott, who had such a great home debut in Everton’s colours against Kilmarnock last Monday.
IMPRESSED
Alex scored twice and returned to the dressing rooms after the game every bit as impressed by the Everton fans as they obviously were with him.  He showed us those terrific bursts of speed I tipped you off about in this column a couple of weeks ago, and can look back on his first home game for Everton with great pride.  For Kilmarnock , I thought right back King – they say it was only his second first team outing – did very well indeed, while if outside right Brown was giving us an example of his normal form, I am surprised his first team outings this season have not been more frequent.  My congratulations to Kilmarnock on playing a hard but sporting game.  Their football was very good, although I thought the final score of 4-1 in our favour a reasonable one.  Last Saturday our Reserves really found their form in the second half of the Central League match against Wolverhampton, at Goodison Park, fighting back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.  Alex Parker and myself played in this match and were both tremendously impressed by the fighting spirit which the regular Central League boys displayed after the interval, for Wolves are one of the best teams in this league.  My congratulations to Dundee on their fine European Cup victory at Anderlecht on Wednesday, and it is nice to see that there is a Merseyside connection with the side, which includes Bert Slater (ex-Liverpool) and Andy Penman (ex-Everton). 

SHEFFIELD UNITED RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 09 March 1963
Sheffield United Res;- Widdowson; Badger, Ridger; Orr, Mallender, Matthewson; Docherty, Russell, Shiels, Wagstaffe, Hartle.  Everton Res;- Dunlop; Harris, Thomson; Jarvis, Helsop, Sharples; Bingham, Rees, Hurst, Temple, Veall.  Referee; Mr. C. Allott (Birmingham).  Three quick raids by United were easily cleared.  Everton were very fortunate not to concede an early goal when a Hartle shot beat Dunlop and Thomson struck out a foot and deflected the ball off the line.  United continued to press and took a deserved lead in the 28th minute through Shiels.  Five minutes later, after Rees had nearly equalised for Everton.  United score again, Shiels picked up the ball on the left, his centre flashed low across the face of the goal beating defenders and attackers, and Docherty, running in from the right, netted easily.  Little was seen of Everton’s attack.  Half-time; Sheffield Utd Res 2, Everton res nil. 

NO MORE GOODISON FREEZE-UPS
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, March 11, 1963
EVERTON DECIDE TO RESTORE THE ELECTRIC BLANKET
By Horace Yates
There will be no postponements at Goodison Park next season because of frozen grounds, for the electric wiring system is being restored under the pitch in time for next August, at a cost of about £2,000.  “The wires are definitely being put back in the close season,” said Mr. Jack Sharp, chairman of the Ground Committee, last night.  “Our worry is that we are going to be on a pretty tight schedule, with the season continuing to the end of May.  “It is estimated that the job will take two to three weeks, for if the wires are placed six inches part, as suggested, thirty-two miles have to be laid.  We aim to have the ground re-sown by the second week in June, to give the grass a chance of being properly established for play in August and delay in re-seeding is the last thing we want.”  I understand that it is planned to accommodate the wiring by the use of a mole plough, which would leave troughs above five inches deep and give a brief safely clearance above the clinker draining bed.  This plan would enable the spiking machine to be used without fear of damaging the wiring, for it would not penetrate to a depth of more than three and a half inches. 
WELL DRAINED
“We have a well drained ground now and I cannot see why we should have any difficulty this time,” said Mr.  Sharp, contracting the position with the last occasion wires were installed and the drainage failed.  Everton have been pioneers in this experimental line for a long time, for the first trials were made on their practice ground at Goodison Park in 1938.  Although the flooding from time to time on the playing pitch was undoubtedly a menace, the club saw sufficient evidence t suggest that with the drainage right, the wires would do the job descended of them perfectly efficiently.  When Everton showed that the frost could be beaten by this method there was country-wide interest in the idea and subsequently the system was installed at Murrayfield, but Soccer League clubs hesitated to follow suit because of the fear that their drains might also suffer.  If Everton now prove this fear groundless, there is little doubt that many others will follow their lead. 
UNLIKELY DEALBLACKPOOL MAY MOVE FOR VERNON
Blackpool would like to sign Roy Vernon, the Everton skipper, and may develop their admiration to the point of making an inquiry in the next day or two.  That was the information reaching me from Blackpool last night.  Concerned with their slide to a position fourth from the bottom of the table, Blackpool are worried about their ability to remain members of the First Division.  Theirs is the poorest attacking record of any of the top flight clubs, and they see in Vernon the man to bring their forwards to life. 
If they do make an inquiry I cannot see them being given the least possible encouragement, for the simple reason that Everton, too, stand in need of Vernon at this important stage in their plans.  Even if Blackpool were to play their trump card and include their international right back Jimmy Armfield long admired by Everton in any overturns, I cannot see a deal materialising.  Everton have so far had no offers for the four players with whom they are prepared to part-Wignall, Mailey, Parnell, and Tyrer- and the only one about whom inquiries have been made is the centre forward.  It is emphasised all the players are open to offers and that no particular prices has been placed on the head of any of them.  I understand that Scottish selector Mr. A. Gourlay saw the Everton-Nottingham Forest game and Mr. R. Thyne watched Liverpool play at Highbury.  What their views we do not know, but I did hear that Mr. Gourlay was a trifle disappointed to find that Everton’s left half did not spell his name Tony McKay.  In view of Scotland’s acknowledged power at half back that is a compliment indeed. 

SHEFFIELD UTD RES 3, EVERTON RES 0
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, March 11, 1963
Sheffield United Reserves deserved to win this Central League game because they took their two first half chances in a fast and entertaining game.  In the second half Everton completely dictated the run of play and were extremely unlucky not to score on at least three occasions when the ball hit the woodwork or rebounded off a lucky United defender.  A penalty goal in the seven-second minute which Docherty converted put the final nail in the coffin for Everton.  Others home scorers were Shiels twenty-eight minutes and Docherty thirty-three minutes.

 
FOREST POINT WAY TO SOCCER SUICIDE
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, March 11, 1963
DRAWN GAME WAS THE SUMMIT OF BORING AMBITION
EVERTON 2, NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0
By Horace Yates
Nottingham Forest are not a challenge to their opponents; they are a challenge to football, so long as they adopt these ridiculous all-out defensive tactics which can only develop an inferiority complex in themselves and in the crowd, revulsion at the mention of Forest’s name.  This worship at the shrine of defence will not only halt the encouraging rise in attendance, if allowed to spread it could lead to soccer suicide.  The one spark of intelligence they have shown is to try out their soul destroying, enjoyment killing tactics away from home.  If they were to offer this sort of thing to their own crowd in match after match there might be a riot –and the sooner the better.
DRAW SUMMIT
Nakedly from the first kick of the game, they professed an inability to win the match and advertised the fact that a draw was the summit of their ambitions.  Seven League games in a row they have lost and unless they revise their ideas I would suggest that the end of that sequence is way out of sight.  If they are trying to take a leaf from the Leicester City copybook, then they should begin by facing facts.  They are nothing like sufficiently well equipped to convert defence into attack with the ability enjoyed by City.  The Leicester blanket cover is frustrating to the opposition, but they are capable of an attacking brilliance which lights up the exchanges.  The slow hand clap resumed for Forest at half time and again at the final showed how the crowd bored almost beyond belief, reacted to strategy entirely devoid of merit.  Forest might reply that had Everton not scored twice through goalkeeping blunders they would have saved a point and that from one of the three or four occasions they found themselves in sight of the Everton goal, they were denied a goal by inches that could have been a match winner.  All of that may be true, but if they are to rely on accidents for victory then soccer is indeed reduced to a sorry state.  Just how completely they plumbed the depths of hopelessness was demonstrated when two goals down, they still employed only a single forward to “threaten” the Everton half.  This travesty of soccer was exposed when Forest gained possession and instead of opening an attack, they looked often in vain, for someone remotely well positioned to receive the ball.  Cricket found itself in the position of having to restrict the number of leg side fielders and Rugby League dictated the limit to which forwards could be used outside a scrum for defensive purposes.  If this Forest ruse should become any more infectious then soccer too may have to consider how to kill it before it kills the game.  If Forest have not the talent to make a show in top flight football then they should do as others have done before them- go out and get it or alternatively, play their football in a sphere better suited to their performances.  The really painful part of the whole business is that I have seen most of these players put on really entertaining football, and football that has given them results.  For the sake of Forest’s good name and in the interests of soccer generally I can only suggest that they revert to their more familiar patterns and weather the storm by methods that will help them to keep their friends.  Curiously enough the lad at the very centre, of this defensive web.  Hindley, who appeared in the programme as centre forward and obligingly were No.9 jersey, but who operated as Young’s shadow, with the nominated centre half McKinlay holding a watching brief as coverer in general of approaches to goal; was a lad two impressed me tremendously.  With a defender such as he, Forest are bolting and barring their door, despite it being adequately pad-locked.  It is security gone mad! 
DOUBLE CHECK
To attempt to criticise Everton in these circumstances seems wholly impracticable.  Some made a more workmanlike job of the trials that beset them than did others, but it is no joke finding, a double defensive check on every move.  What life we saw was infused by Everton, who crowded on to the attack with a persistence lacking neither design nor determination and even though it was Grummitt’s errors which lost the match, a lesser goalkeeper would not have denied Everton much more legitimately conceived goals.  Grummitt almost presented a goal to Stevens in three minutes when he allowed the ball to slip from his grasp and found it luckily rebounding from the post, but he had no such luck when Parker crossed the ball towards the angle of goal and Grummitt merely pulled it down for Young to overcome his surprise by stabling the ball over the line (12 minutes).  With so much weight taken off them the Everton defence spent more time in their opponents half than in any other game for years, and it was hardly surprising that Meagan was able to stroll through his duties with the air of an artist at work, or that Parker who scored the second goal (70 minutes) when the ball struck the diving Grummitt and passed on into the net, should revel in the role he enjoys best.  For me, however, it was Kay who lorded it over all, with the exception possibly of Stevens,.  Forest’s attack may have been limited and immature but Kay denied it the slightest encouragement and it is becoming increasingly evident that Everton are now looking to him for much of their attacking lead.  Possibly the best effort came from Kay, who not only beat his opponents the cover and the second cover, to obtain a sight of goal, but then hit a terrific shot narrowly wide.  What a goal this would have been!  In an exchange which called for solid graft none was more abundantly endowed than Stevens and the result was possibly his best display as an Everton player, but in a personal duel with Grummitt he was denied two goals by some superb goalkeeping.  Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  Nottingham Forest;- Grummitt; Wilson, Machan, Cobb; McKinlay, Winfield, Hockey, Addison, Hindley, Quigley, Le Flem.  Referee; Mr. R. J. Simons (Carlisle).  Attendance 44,924. 

GOODISON CROWD DID NOT LIKE THE ‘CURTAIN’
Liverpool Echo - Monday 11 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
I had scarcely walked 300 yards from Goodison Park on Saturday when one of a number of Hoylake followers of Everton shouted: “I hope you are going to write something nasty about that game on Monday!” His anger, like that of many others of the 44,000 present, was presumably directed against the tactics of Nottingham Forest,  whose centre-forward, Hindley, had spent the whole afternoon in close proximity to Alex Young, his opposite number in the Everton team.  Let me confess forthwith that I don't propose to write anything nasty about anyone or anything, and least of all of Hindley, who was making his league debut at 18 years of age. When he was told, as I suppose he must have been, to confine himself to defence and to Young in particular he had no choice but to do just that. To have done otherwise would have been to put himself in the same peril as a jockey who defied riding instructions.  Whether Manager Andy Beattie, of Nottingham Forest, was right to elect to indulge his team in this negative tactic is a matter of opinion. Forest had won none of their previous six League games and it was clear that if they wanted to survive on Saturday they would need to have all their defensive wits about them.  I recollect Mr. Catterick, of Everton, sending his team on-field at Tottenham earlier this season with the same policy in mind. Spectators are now saying about the double centre half-back what they said years ago when Herby Roberts, from Oswestry, introduced the third-back scheme in collaboration with the Arsenal manager of that day. But football, as a spectacle, has survived and will continue to do so because whenever one attacking player moves his sphere of activity one opposing defender becomes available for special duty.  It is up to sides faced by defence in depth to find the answer to the problem. If they cannot their tactical knowledge is lacking.  What was the result of Forest's four half-back plan? 
Defeat by two goals to nil and one of their uprights struck no fewer than three times. If those three shots had gone in, as well they might, would we have heard Hindley and company slow handclapped from the field"! I think not.  The lack of Hindley in the traditional role of the line's number nine was apparent not once, but a dozen times.  The game became, for Everton, one of the easiest they have had for some time.  It was the attack which found difficulty in getting a goal and in getting a second to put the issue beyond doubt.  But despite Hindley's presence,—and in the circumstances he did very well against his most experienced, artistic, individual opponent—Forest could have gone away beaten  5-0. Maybe that would have convinced them that unless you have the forwards to build up the right sort of attacks it is foolish to volunteer the striker of the line for a non-attacking role.  What made Everton's task difficult were the condition overhead and underfoot. The wind swirled the ball about disconcertingly and the ground, heavy from the results of the thaw, was not conducive to the sort of patterned football Everton like to play.  The crowd were inclined to think goalkeeper Grummitt was play-acting when he found difficulty in making the  ball stay motionless for goal kicks, but he wasn't: otherwise  how came it that Alex Scott, making his home League  debut, committed the unforgivable crime for a winger-kicking  the ball and the corner flag-staff at the same time!  Clearly the wind must have started the ball rolling as he made his run towards it and by then he was committed to kicking at it. The ball only travelled a yard or two and Scott, realising that he could not play it twice, had to stand by while it was picked up by a Forest defender.  This incident came nearest to repeating the famous soccer story of the manager who placed two bricks on either side of the ball at the corner flag, so that one of his players who had put a corner kick out of play the previous Saturday could learn the fundamentals of his trade.
A HARD FATE 
After one or two successful efforts to kick the ball which lay between the bricks the winger made a mistake and connected not with the leather but with a brick!  He was taken off to hospital with a badly damaged ankle. Ironically, he had been the only fit winger the club had on their books at the time!  Scott is out of the usual run of Everton winger - she’s a big, solid 'un. He showed his speed by running on to some judicious passes placed well ahead of him. Only once did he mis-time his centre. For some reason, through- out Everton's long supremacy in the second half, he was hardly seen.  Ii was the turn, then, of Kay to show what a fine player he is, with some wheeling runs and cute passes and a shot which rivalled the great one Gabriel produced.  Grummitt, hard-worked and often hard-hit physically, in the opening half then showed us stunning saves of the sort which may eventually take him into an England jersey. He was not beaten direct, but was involved in mistakes in both goals. Parker should get the credit for them. His high centre Grummitt dropped almost at the feet of Young at 12 minutes and at 70 minutes the goalkeeper could not prevent Parker's tremendous drive from bounding back to where Gabriel and Vernon stood, the ball crossing the line when jabbed there by the half-back.  With a two goals' lead Everton were home and dried, but the crowd were still dissatisfied that Forest had closed the game up from the start. I wonder how they would have fared if they had gone flat-out for goals with a five man line from the beginning? We shall never know, but they could hardly have done worse than they did, because those post-hitting shots of Everton could just as easily have found the back of the net.
BEATEN BY NUMBERS
Forest's two sizeable half-backs, Winfield and McKinlay (the latter, I think, on the way out) did well enough and the forwards had neat, combined movement in mid-field, but they were inevitably beaten by weight of numbers when they came near the penalty area. West had only a few bounding, long range drives to pick up.  Little Mick Meagan, one of the grandest club men playing, took my fancy for his intelligent use of the ball. Parker, with virtually two goals off his own boot, had less to do than he might have if Hindley had been "up front " to  spread the ball out to Le Flem, as big and dangerous a  winger as Scott. Gabriel was first-rate all through; Kay had a quietist first half but burst on the scene in the second-half when he took the crowd's fancy by weaving dribbles with the punchy finish home spectators like.  It was too much to expect Young to have any sort of game when policed by two huge men both of whom were making his non-success their main mission. Stevens on  Young's right was the day's great worker: Vernon, who  started with some pretty fierce-looking tackles, was content  afterwards not to be caught in possession and was moving  the ball away with unusual alacrity for a man is so fond  of "working " it .  Morrissey had a poor day, being caught too often attempting too much and fulfilling too little.  It was a frustrating match for Everton and for their  following, but to win by 2-0 was a satisfying ending and  one spectators would relish doubly because those goals  were obtained at such a cost in effort by an Everton attack  faced by a thick curtain of defenders. 

‘BLANKET’ USED ONLY IN AWAY MATCHES
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 12 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
Some interesting facts emerge from the use, in consecutive weeks at Anfield and Goodison Park, of the defence in depth plan as operated by Leicester City and Nottingham Forest.  One is that this gambit is always reserved for away games.  The other is that certain Continental clubs, mostly Italian, do it as a matter of course whether they are home or away!  Manager Harry Catterick deplores such emphasis on defence, because it inevitably means that 22 players are operating, for the most part, on a third of the space of the pitch and because it detracts from public entertainment.  He does not see, nor do I, how legislation can obviate it.  “There’s nothing to stop any team forming up as five backs behind five half-backs, with the goalkeeper as the final defensive line,” he says.  “Such tactics would make goal-scoring extremely difficult, as besides the restriction on the centre forward the wingers find themselves faced not by one defender, but by two.”  John Charles was able to beat the Italian curtain by lurking near the far post and getting up above the rest to meet the high passes lobbed over defenders to head goals.  Everton have no sizeable forwards to follow this plan.  They were able, against Nottingham Forest, to employ half-backs and one back, Parker, to crowd their opponents for minutes on end.  Although this may not be attractive to the crowd, it must almost certainly means defeat for the side on the collar defensively for most of the match.  The astonishing thing about Nottingham Forest was that even when they stood 2-0 down they left their curtain in the down position.  Surely 10 minutes from the end it would have been good policy for them to throw everything into attack?”  Whatever is said and done about a system which appears to be growing in English football, the crowds have the final answer.  If they don’t like it, they can always stay away.  Unhappily, if they did they would also be penalising their own side.  Maybe further defeats for Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, two of the most defensively-minded teams in Britain, will convince those clubs that all-out attack produces better results.  If it doesn’t we seem fated to see a great deal more of the away team putting the initiative, as the onus, for goals on home teams. 

BUSINESS ENTERPRISES OF A FOOTBALLER 
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 12 March 1963
£5,000 Debts Alleged 
STATEMENTS 
Everton reserve goalkeeper Albert Dunlop, who made a brief first appearance at Liverpool Bankruptcy Court this morning was said to have made two statements of affairs within the last two months.  The first lodged with the court on January 14, showed a deficiency of £2,776, and the second, on February 28, showed a deficit of £5.182, the Assistant Official Receiver, Mr. D. A. Thorne, said.  Dunlop, aged 30, of 7 Aston Street, Garston, said he was a professional footballer, who earned between £20 and £25 a week as second team goalkeeper and captain, excluding bonuses. He was paying £2 a week to his parents, with whom he lived, and was making a voluntary Payment of £2 a week to the Official Receiver.  He said that he was marred, with one child. 
THREE COMPLAINTS
He agreed with Mr. Thorne that the deficit arose from his association with three limited companies - AlbertDunlop and Davies Ltd.. a sports outfitting business, which was  voluntarily wound up in 1961  paying a dividend of 4s 4d in the £ on £12,108: Merseyside  Enterprises Ltd.., a licensed  club, at present being wound up by the court: and Elizabeth  Enterprises, a dormant  company which was to have  provided entertainment.  He said that he had ceased active participation in the club and had ceased to be a director of Merseyside Sportsmen Enterprises for some time.  Mr. Thorne mentioned the Football League Provident Fund and asked: "Is it correct that 10 per cent of your earnings went to that fund?"  Dunlop replied; "The amount fluctuated. At the moment it is 5 per cent."
FUND RULE
Mr. Thorne; “I have a letter from this fund confirming that you were a member of this fund, and going on to say that any member of the Trust having a receiving order against him will cease to be a member of the Fund, and no payment can be made to him when he reaches when he would qualify for payment.  Did you know that?- No.  It would come as a shock to you?- Yes.  How much would you expect to receive? - About £1,500, sir. Dunlop’s public examination was adjourned until May 21.  

EVERTON RES FORTUNATE TO WIN
Liverpool Daily Post- Wednesday, March 13, 1963
PRESTON N.E. RES 0, EVERTON RES 1
Everton attracted one of the biggest crowds of the season for a reserve game at Deepdale last night and although they were fortunate to win, the match was played at high speed and not lacking in the finer arts.  In the first half Shaw troubled the North End defence and twice forced Barton to make top class saves.  Centre forward Hurst was also a live wire and linked up the attack well.  The vital goal came after 57 minutes when Sharples dashed through and beat Basrton with a strong ground shot.  It looked as though this might be the start of an avalanche for two minutes later Temple cracked a shot against the bar but from that point North End took command.  None did more to keep the Everton goal intact than Gordon Heslop, who had the measure of transfer-listed Alex Alston. 

WE’VE HAD IT AS GOOD IN THE PAST
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 13 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
The impression gains ground in Liverpool (as it did politically not long ago) that we've never had it so good. True, Everton and Liverpool both have fine teams; true they are both operating  high in the right half of the table, but don't be  fooled into thinking that we haven't had similarly  good teams in the past. The feeling that these are the best Liverton sides in history—shared by the younger element and by some of the players themselves—is far from being the case.  The public who watch week by week at Anfield and Goodison Park know their soccer as spectators in no other city. Many have been brought up on football from players whose place is assured not only at our senior grounds, but in national sense.  We've had Cup and League-winning elevens fairly frequently and more than our share of individual artists of the sort rarely seen in 1963.  What makes the contemporary sides seem so good is that, except for Liverpool's championship season shortly after the war, we have had no senior honours of the kind which really matter.  Comparisons are sometimes unfair, if not odious, but look at the great players we have been privileged to see:  At Liverpool—Scott, Bromilow, Chambers, Hodgson, McKinlay, Busby, Cooper, Blenkinsop, Bradshaw, Taylor, Balmer, and Liddell, W. H. Jones.  At Goodison Park—Cresswell, Sagar, Dean, Troup,  Gillick, T. G. Jones, Stevenson, Coulter, Mercer, Britton.  And many of these were contemporaries.  It will be seen, by those whose football watching takes in several eras, that Liverpool and Everton were giving fans here top-class entertainment during an almost unbroken period of 20 years between the wars, when both figured, except for a short spell by Everton, in the First Division.  I don’t want to appear to be a Fuddy Duddy, but it is just as well that we maintain perspective when looking at what we have as compared with what we used to have.  At least one manager in this city has no illusions about the standards of performance Merseyside spectators expect. 
Memory played him false 
"Mr. Meggs is correct concerning McNaughton’s debut against Everton. This was in October, 1920, but the reason for McNaughton's promotion from the “A " team was that Scott was appearing for Ireland against England, and Frank  Mitchell, Liverpool's reserve goalkeeper, was on the injured list. Kenny Campbell had left Liverpool the previous April for Partick Thistle. Dicky Downs and Sam Chedgzoy, of Everton, and Billy Lacey, of Liverpool, also took part in the England-Ireland international. 
"The teams in the local Derby that day were Liverpool: McNaughton: Lucas. McKinlay; Bamber, Wadsworth  (W.). Bromilow: Sheldon, Forshaw, Johnson,  Chambers, Wadsworth (H.). Everton: Fern. Thompson, McDonald: Fleetwood. Brewster, Grenyer; Jones, Kirsopp, Peacock, Reid, Harrison. 
W. J. Robinson (31 Rosefield Road, Woolton) complains:  “Your column always seems to have plenty of letters praising the administration of both local clubs. I have a complaint about the sale of tickets for both the Derby game and the Everton-Tottenham match. In the first case, Liverpool advertised that tickets would be on sale at 2 p.m.  I was at Anfield at 4.40 and the police informed us the gates were shut and all tickets had gone. However, Liverpool produced a further 4.400 tickets for sale on a Saturday morning later.  “In Everton's case, tickets were for sale from 6 p m.  However, at 8.40, like many other supporters, we found the sale had stopped. The office informed us that the sale had finished for the night. However, many tickets are still left for sale even now.  In my opinion, if both clubs intend to make matches all-ticket, then when they advertise sale times they should state tickets will be sold from 2 p.m. until 4.30 p.m. or from 6 p.m. until 8.30 p.m. This will save many supporters unnecessary time and expense travelling to the grounds to find the clubs have ceased selling, only to sell tickets again at a later date."

MAILEY MAY JOIN CREWE
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 14 March 1963
TERMS AGREED FOR EVERTON ‘KEEPER
By Michael Charters
Crewe Alexandra the Fourth Division club with a fine chance of promotion have agreed terms with Everton for the transfer of Everton’s young Scottish reserve goalkeeper, Willie Mailey. Everton manager Harry Catterick said that his club were prepared to accept only a nominal fee for Mailey in order to let him join a club where he could have a chance of regular League games.  A representative of Crewe will see Mailey later today to discuss terms.  If Mailey agrees, he could make his League debut against Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park on Saturday.  Mailey joined Everton in 1960 straight from Scottish junior football.  He has never played in Everton’s first team. 
VERNON IS DROPPED FROM WELSH TEAM
Everton’s inside left, Roy Vernon, loses his place in the Welsh team for the second leg of the European Nations Cup first-round match against Hungary, at Ninian Park, Cardiff, next Wednesday evening.  Hungary won the first leg last November, 3-1 and compared with that game, Wales make seven changes. 

EVERTON WAIT
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 14 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
Everton are delaying announcement of their Cup side at West Ham until tomorrow.  Scott is not eligible; Bingham may take his place at outside-right.  Morrissey is likely to remain on the left wing.  West Ham who have been training at Lilleshall are expected to name their side later today.  If the game at West Ham is drawn the replay will take place at Goodison Park next Tuesday 7.30. 
EUOPEAN CUP
Slater (ex-Liverpool) and Penman (ex-Everton) were in the Dundee side which qualified last night for the semi-finals of the European Cup.  The final is due to take place at Wembley.  Both players could get a European Cup winner’s medal at the first attempt.  Slater is keeping goal brilliantly; Penman, a winger at Everton is now figuring at inside-forward. 

DAVIE REID
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 14 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
From Jasper Kerr, the onetime Everton back now based in Burnley, I hear of the passing of David Reid, the former Everton half-back, after a long illness, in Belfast.  He was 66.  Davie Reid was one of three footballing brothers.  The others, Jack (of the spectacular headers) and Max, both played with New Brighton in their palmy Third Division days. 

WILLIE MAILEY FOR CREWE?
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, March 15 1963
The first of Everton’s transfer-listed quartet to move may be goalkeeper Willie Mailey, a Scottish schoolboy international who was also a member of the Everton team defeated by Chelsea in the F.A Youth Cup final two years ago.  Everton and Crewe have agreed terms, and only a very nominal sum is involved Mailey is expected to decide today. 

ROY VERNON’S VIEW
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, March 15 1963
IT’S A THREE TEAM RACE FOR LEAGUE TITLE
Nottingham Forest’s tactics against Everton on Saturday reminded me very much of the style adopted by Dunfermline in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup.  Dunfermline proved tough customers and although not quite so adept, Nottingham Forest were no push overs.  My hope is that this defensive plan does not snowball.  From the spectators point of view the attraction in football is largely undermined and the players cannot enjoy their game either.  I don’t like being beaten any time, but I would rather go down to a team playing fast, open football than succumb to such a negative style.  There is one big consolation for us.  It is certain that we at Everton will never be asked to play this type of game.  When we played at Nottingham, what a difference proposition they were.  They went two goals up and I think they thought they were going to paralyse us but on that occasion their tactics were just about as different as it is possible for them to be. 
PLAYED WIDE
Their full backs played wide and left us with all the room in the world in which to work.  They paid for their tactics for we struck back and beat them, but I am convinced that everybody on that ground had his full entertainment.  I know footballers are paid to win matches but I think they are also paid to entertain.  If our customers are not pleased with what they see they show no enthusiasm about going to matches, and our ambition is not only to win the League and the Cup but to keep our ground filled for every match.  To some extent to do this we need the co-operation of the opposition, not in providing results, but in doing battle so that the better side wins.  From my point of view the best any team can hope to achieve by such methods is a draw.  Now if a side could draw every game they would be safe from relegation, but I doubt if any team could work the plan as successfully as that.  It would be little consolation to a team relegated to Division two to be able to boast that they went down with the lowest total of goals against ever conceded by a relegation side.  No, we must aim at improving the standard of football not undermining it.  West Ham our Cup opponents are a side who can specialise on a defensive tactics but they are a mobile outfit as well and their ability to convert defence into attack has set a problem for many a team.  It will be interesting to see what tactics they devise for our meeting.  As I look at things they cannot afford to place too much emphasis on defence, for a draw is no good to them.  Tomorrow while ground advantage is theirs they must strike as hard as they can otherwise it will be too late.  Whatever plan they hit upon I think we can deal with it, although a ding-dong struggle is guaranteed.  If the pace is fast and furious that will suit us admirably for if either side flags under the strain, you can rest assured it will not be Everton, I think we are trained to last extra time in every game.  Although much of the leeway in the League championship still remains to be made up, I think the picture has clarified considerable in the last week or two.  In my view, you can draw a line under the name Everton in the League table and guaranteed with absolute certainty that the title will be fought out by the teams above the line- Everton, Leicester City and Tottenham.  All the pointers are in the direction of a terrific fight.  Although we have played our fixtures against Leicester, Spurs, who may yet be our principal rivals for the honour still have to visit us.  Our Scottish colony of players must be delighted with the regular appearance at our matches these days of members of the Scottish selection committee.  Even though the Scots have hardly gone overboard in handing out caps to Anglos, these regular visits show that our boys must be considered well in the running.  I don’t mind how many find favour for Scotland’s next game for the simple reason that it is against England.  Let Brian Labone do the worrying. 

BUILT FOR THEM
Liverpool Echo - Friday 15 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
Everton’s Cup record against West Ham is good.  Their League record, at West Ham, not so good.  He Londoners came here last December and scored a draw, but when last Everton were at the Boleyn grounds (Nobby Fielding’s happy hunting ground because he was born on the doorstep) in a cup-tie they won, and I, for one, have the liveliest recollections of Everton’s semi-final win against the same opponents prior to their victory at Wembley.  In the days when George Kay, the former Liverpool manager was a player at West Ham they used to pass Wembley when it was being constructed and say “They’re building that for us.”  How right they were, but it was Bolton who won the inaugural final before a cord (and riotous) crowd estimated at between 100,000 and 150,000.  The fact that a pub at a corner of the West Ham ground commemorates Ann Boleyn is fitting.  Let us hope no footballing heads will be ‘lost’ tomorrow in what is sure to be a tempestuous game, with West Ham the bigger side and at an advantage if the referee allows any roughness.  Alex Scott, used as he is to the turmoil of Rangers and Celtic would find tomorrow’s game a tea-party by comparison, but he does not play.  The law says a man must be signed 14 days before the due date of a tie (and that has long since passed) before he shall be eligible.  So Billy Bingham, the india-rubber bouncer whose required reading every day is the “Financial Times” (that’s the way to a secure old age, William) is recalled and, if I know him, will never let the side down.  Bingham and his goals were Luton mascots en route to a final appearance not long ago.  He has, like Kevin Lewis, the knack of finding target on important occasions.  This could well be one to tempt him to show that, far from being on the way out, he’s only starting to enjoy the Autumn of a great career.  On the left is Morrissey, mainly, I imagine, because he is better suited, physically to the hurly-burly of Cup football than his rival for the place, Ray Veall.  Rightly or wrongly I fear West Ham more than I do Arsenal.  Maybe it is because they have already tied Everton down to a draw at Goodison Park.  But it is a tremendously open game.  Everton’s new-found “fight’ in matches other than those at Goodison Park is their trump card.  But look at it whichever way you like the test for both Everton and Liverpool is still severe.  I wish both clubs and their fans a happy successful week-end in town.  If it doesn’t turn out as they think it should let us show.  London that we, too, can take it.  Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  West Ham; Standen; Kirkup, Burkett; Bovington, Brown, Moore; Brabrook, Boyce, Sealey, Byrne, Scott. 

MAILEY JOINS CREWE
Liverpool Echo - Friday 15 March 1963
NOMINAL FEE FOR EVERTON KEEPER
Willie Mailey, Everton’s goalkeeper, was transferred to Crewe Alexandra to-day.  This move was forecast in later editions of the Echo yesterday when Everton and Crewe agreed on a nominal fee for Mailey, who has been at Goodison for three years, joining them straight from Scottish junior football.  Everton were anxious that Mailey should join a club where he had a chance of playing League football.  He has never played in Everton’s first team, but last season had a good deal of Central League experience.  He is a former Scottish schoolboy international.

 

BIG SEND-OFF AT LIME STREET
Liverpool Echo - Friday 15 March 1963
Hundreds of Everton and Liverpool supporters gave their teams a happy send-off when they left Lime Street Station this afternoon for London where they will play fifth round F.A Cup-ties tomorrow.  Both teams travelled on the 2.5 train –and other travellers at the station looked surprised as the crowds gathered round the players in an early out-break of Cup fever.  Autograph hunters kept the players busy.  From Euston the parties will split as their London headquarters are at different hotels, but they will meet again after their games tomorrow (Everton at West Ham and Liverpool at Arsenal) for they both plan to catch the Merseyside Express leaving Euston at 6 p.m. 
FIRST SINCE 1938
Tomorrow will be the first time since 1938 that both clubs have played in London on the same day in Cup ties.  Because of heavy bookings by football supporters Starways are providing extra flights from Liverpool to London tomorrow.  “We have had very heavy bookings and there are only a few seats left,” said a spokesman.  The scheduled 9 a.m service which is usually a 36 seat DC3 aircraft has been increased to a 60-seat Viscount.  It returns from London at 7.30 p.m.  In addition a 72-seater DC4 is leaving Liverpool at 9.10 am. And a DC3 at 10.30.  a charter flight for Everton Supporters Club is leaving at 11 a.m. 

F.A.C UP BATTLE AT WEST HAM
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday, March 16, 1963
THE GOODISON PARK PLAYERS MIGHT BE MORE DEFENCE CONSCIOUS THAN USUAL
By Horace Yates
Everton, fielding the team which smashed Swindon Town with a scoring flurry in round four of the F.A Cup, will find goals very much harder to get at West Ham in round five, so much so that it would not be at all surprising if their progress were to be delayed until next Tuesday evening’s replay; but I expect to see Liverpool spike Arsenal’s guns in the first assault wave, leaving themselves comfortably poised to await the result of the draw for round six on Monday.  So far as to its possible to read a game in advance, it would appear that safely first will be written all over the clash at Upton Park, with defences so much aware of their responsibilities that attacking opportunities may result, as much from accident as design.  It is in Everton’s favour that because, West Ham are at home they must depart from their cruelly efficient stifling tactics to some extent for a goalless draw would profit them nothing and could justly be claimed to have given the edge to Everton, who would be prepared to adopt an all-out policy of aggression at Goodison Park that they will undoubtedly hesitate to launch in the first meeting. 
DEFENCE TEMPTATION
I am not suggesting that Everton will take a leaf out of the Nottingham Forest book, for that would be enough to disguise them beyond hope of recognition but the temptation to pay a little more concentrated attention to defence than normally is so obvious that it would be almost surprising if Everton were not to subscribe to it.  Plainly Everton’s intention and duty is to avoid defeat to-day.  If they find their task less mountainous than it appears and win all the first time of asking, as much the better but we deceive ourselves if we pretend West Ham are other than formidable.  As Mr. Harry Catterick, the Everton manager who has a head for figures, weighs up possibilities the fact is unlikely to escape him that with only two rounds so far played, every member of his attack has scored with the exception of Alex Young, who has still to score a Cup goal for his club.  Mr. Catterick’s memory may fly back to 1950 when he occupied Young’s position in the Everton attack in a fourth round game at West Ham Everton won that game by 2-1 and the scorer of both goals for the Goodison side was Mr. Catterick.  I think Everton will lose little or nothing by the fact that they have to omit their Scottish international outside right Alex Scott, as he has been ruled ineligible for he has scarcely had time to settle down and make his presence really count with his new colleagues.  Billy Bingham on the other hand, knows his colleagues much more intimately, is a seasoned campaigner, who once helped to take Luton to Wembley by scoring in every round and at the time he lost his place was playing really well.  If past events were an infallible guide to the future.  It would be possible to forecast with some confidence that the final score in this meeting will be 2-1 for Everton for it is true that in the four Cup meetings between the teams to date the score in every instance has been 2-1.  Only a small minority will be able to recall that second round meeting at West Ham in 1907 when Everton travelled as Cup holders and duly defeated the East End side before going down in turn in the final to Sheffield Wednesday through the medium of a last minute goal.  Many more will remember the semi-final at Molyneux in 1933 when ted Critchley scored Everton’s winning goal after coming in at outside right becomes of injury to Albert Geldard.  In 1950 Everton won again at the Boleyn ground in round four, with a repeat performance also in round four.  In 1957 so that it will readily be seen that West Ham have never beaten Everton in the F.A Cup competition.  If only to bring us all back to earth again it might be as well to remind supporters that Liverpool had not scored so much as a Cup goal against Burnley prior to this season, but it is Liverpool who are playing in the fifth round today.  It is my belief that the West Ham-Everton sequence will also be terminated to-day as regards the score, for it would be surprising indeed to find three goals recorded. 

ROY VERNON PLEDGES
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday, March 16, 1963
WE’LL GIVE 150 PER CENT EFFORT IN A BID TO WIN
Roy Vernon, Welsh International and Everton skipper, regards the tie at West Ham as a vital one on the road to Wembley.  This is a match Everton must not lose, he says, and adds that they have no intention of doing that.  “Providing we have a run of the ball, which every club with Cup ambitions, we are very hopeful of pulling off a good result at West Ham,” Roy said.  West Ham’s pitch is rather small and compact and it was here that they learned how easy it was to defend in depth a style they operate with some success Everton do not play unattractive football at any time and we will go into this tie all out for a win.  “Every man is determined to give 150 per cent, effort if need to be to further our plans to bring back the Cup to Liverpool this season.  “I am sure this is a vital game for us, for if we can surmount it the odds on our getting a home tie in round six must be very small indeed after having been called on to travel three matches in a row. 
WE’LL BE HAPPY WITH AREPLAY
“It would not break our hearts if, when the referee sounds the final whistle, the scores are still level, for confident as we are for tomorrow, imagine the advantage we would have in playing West Ham, or anybody else for that matter, in front of our own crowd.  “I would like to wish Liverpool all the luck in the world in their game.  The Everton boys all want to see them successful.  We might also add the hope that they continue to keep away from us in the draw.  “As I see things the only places for us to meet now are Anfield (and by that I refer to the outstanding league game between us) and Wembley.  Yes, we wish them luck all the way there-and then they are on their own.” 
TEAMS AT UPON PARK
West Ham; Standen; Kirkup, Burkett; Bovington, Brown, Moore; Brabrook, Boyce, Sealey, Bryne, Scott.  Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  

DISPUTED PENALTY ENDS EVERTON HOPES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 16 March 1963
WEST HAM 1 EVERTON 0
By Michael Charters

West Ham; Standen; Kirkup, Burkett; Bovington, Brown, Moore; Brabrook, Boyce, Byrne, Scott.  Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  Referee; Mr. J. Finney (Hereford).  There was a capacity crowd at West Ham with the thousands of Everton supporters in great voice before the game.  Everton played with the advantage of quite a strong wind in the first half and settled down quickly to play attractively.  Standen made a good catch from a free kick by Parker as Morrissey moved in, and then Gabriel did well to intercept from a centre by Scott.  Brabrook’s centre eluded Labone and Parker dived full-length to head the ball back across the face of the goals mouth with Sealey just missing an attempted interception.  Stevens collected a pass from Gabriel cleverly and hit a fine shot just over the bar from 25 yards.  Byrne had now switched to centre forward and he led one West Ham attack which ended with a fine clearance by Parker.  Then Everton broke away and Standen made a fine diving save from Vernon’s shot.
WONDERFUL CHANCE
Stevens had a wonderful chance to put Everton  ahead after Morrissey had nipped in to rob Kirkup o the ball, Morrissey headed the ball down to the unmarked Stevens, who put the ball wide from six yards range.  A glorious cross-field pass from Stevens to Morrissey opened the West Ham defence, but when the ball was pushed inside to Vernon he tried to do too much and lost the ball.  Everton were now the more impressive, but were unable to finish off their attacks with anything like a decent shot.  The referee spoke to Kay after the Everton player had fouled Moore, who, however, recovered to burst through from the free kick and shoot from an angle.  West turned the ball for a corner.  Young made a splendid shot after Brow had headed a free kick high in the air.  He volleyed the ball brilliantly but Standen made a grand save.
INCHES AWAY
Vernon was inches away from connecting with a header from Young and generally all the play was in the West Ham half.  The home defence, however, was playing solidly.  Labone made a brilliant tackle on Sealey who went hurtling into the photographers, and the referee moved the photographers back from the line before play resumed.  Everton produced a brilliant move between Young and Stevens and the ball was put out to Bingham, whose centre was too strong and went out of play on the far side of the pitch.  Then Morrissey’s centre beat the goalkeeper, and Burkett headed away for a corner as Bingham came in.  Everton were very lucky when Labone made a dreadful mistake heading the ball clean away from West as the goalkeeper came out to intercept a simple pass.  Labone found the ball coming back to him off Byrne who was slow to take a gift opening Labone looked far from confident.  Both Moore and Kay were playing splendidly, bolstering up their defences when danger threatened. 
Half-time – West Ham nil, Everton nil.
The Everton fans greeted their team on the restart with their famous chant.  In this half they faced the wing which seemed to be getting a little stronger.  This was a hard tough struggle for both teams with the tackling at times being rugged.  Sealey missed a gift opening for West Ham when he tamely shot straight at West, then it was Moore again who saved West Ham with his positional play as a clever Everton move between the inside forwards looked like paying off.  Vernon was having a dreadful match and Everton’s best forward was Stevens. 
CAPTAINS SPOKEN TO
With Byrne lying injured near the half-way line, Boyce was fouled by Parker just outside the area, and before the game resumed the referee spoke to both captains and was obviously telling them to qieten the match down.  The crowd was booing every Everton player now and although the tackling had been rugged, both sides played an equal part in it.  After 59 minutes West Ham took the lead with a penalty scored by Byrne for an incredible award which set the scene for fantastic incidents on the pitch.  The penalty was awarded for what Mr. Finney thought was a foul by Stevens on Moore, and when he blew his whistle I thought he had penalised the West Ham player.  It seemed to me that Moore was definitely at fault.  Before the penalty was taken the referee called a policeman to patrol behind Everton’s goal where the crowd were throwing objects on to the pitch.  After the penalty, which Byrne put in the corner of the net, a spectator ran onto the pitch to speak to Vernon, with the police chasing him.  It took five policeman to carry the spectator bodly off the ground. 
NAME TAKEN
Immediately on the restart, Kay had his name taken for a foul on Brabrook.  Brabrook was guilty of a dreadful foul on Vernon and the referee spoke to the West Ham winger.  Everton were fighting back and Standen made a magnificent save from a header by Morrissey.  There was another fantastic scene in the West Ham goalmouth, this time when Standen failed to connect with a centre to Morrissey and the ball dropped and stopped a foot from the goal line.  As Bingham came racing in Standen recovered magnificently and flung himself full length on the ball, with the referee awarding West Ham a foul against Bingham.  West made an equally good save from Boyce after Labone and Parker had failed to intercept a ball from Scott.  Gabriel was now at centre-forward and he made a good headed from a free-kick by Vernon, but sent the ball just wide.  Everton were trying desperately for an equaliser, but the West Ham defence was excellent.  Boyce missed another easy opening after Labone had failed to head away a long clearance from Standen.  Everton were attacking tremendously had now but Standen was playing superbly against intense Everton pressure.  After the game had ended another spectator ran on to the pitch and made for the referee.  Three policemen grabbed him and saw him off the pitch.  Final score – West Ham 1, Everton 0. 

TWO DOWN BUT STILL FOREST ON DEFENCE
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 16 March 1963
By Alex Young
What a crazy mixed up football season this is, for we find now that supporters who have been thankful for as many blankets as possible during the recent cold spell, are suddenly shuddering at the mention of one…the blanket defence.  The tactics of scoring a goal then pulling most of the team back into defence were practised with success by Arsenal before the war, while the system of having eight or nine players in defence and then suddenly bursting forth into attack has been perfected by Real Madrid, Benfica and others like them.  This policy of dropping back into defence and STAYING THERE is fairly new.  Let me make it clear right away that I don’t blame the Nottingham Forest players for the tactics they adopted at Goodison Park last Saturday.  They were obviously playing to instructions and in football, like any other job, if you don’t do what you are told, then you stand a good chance of being fired.  What did surprise me was that Forest continued to play defensive football even when they were two goals down.  By this time they had nothing to lose and would have been better employed attacking the Everton goal than defending their own.  I don’t like the blanket defence personally, because it presents an almost hopeless task for forwards.  The players who have room to answer this latest plan are, in my view, the half-backs.  The retreating defence leaves them plenty of space in midfield, space in which to draw a defender and give a forward colleague a chance to get to work.  Wingers, too, can help by taking the ball down to the bye-line and pulling it back, but for this move to be successful it is essential that they go round the outside of the defender and not crowd the other attackers by moving inside.
UNEMPLOPYED
As a counter measure to this, I am told that one First Division side is giving its wingers the task of marking their opposite numbers with the result that the attacking winger has two men to beat every time.  One of the full backs playing in this team (out of fairness I will not name him) freely admitted after a recent match that although his side had been mainly on the defensive, his colleague on the wing had done such a thorough job that he (the full back) had only kicked the ball six times.  I have always known football as a team game, but this seems an awful waste of manpower.  I am also told by someone who has seen quite a bit of football recently in Italy – where the present “craze” seems to have sprung from – that when both sides adopt defensive methods, even the coaches responsible for devising and teaching these tactics have been in danger of dropping off to sleep.  Blanket defence is very nice if it is used in the way Real Madrid do, with a fast, accurate 40 yards or 50 yards pass upfield to Gento or Puskas turning defence into attack (and usually a goal) within seconds, but unfortunately players of the calibre to master these tactics are hard to find.  I am aware that there are occasions when it is essential to play defensive football, and there are some powerful arguments in favour of using the tactics.
CONSIDER FANS
In deciding on these methods, however, a club must consider the fans, for although supporters in Continental countries seem happy to turn up week after week and watch dour defensive battles I don’t think this type of game will be very popular with British fans.  Last Saturday in a match which will be remembered for defence, it was strange to see another success for the “Association of Attacking Full Back,” an unofficial organisation which seems to be headed by either Alex Parker or Jimmy Armfield depending on which club you support.  Alex has been coming upfield quite often this season and sending shots powerfully in the right direction so it came as no surprise really to see him get his name on the scoring sheet again.  Alex adopted the right tactics for the occasion, and I would like to add a word of praise, too, for Dennis Stevens, who match after match “mops up” everything in midfield and does it in such a quiet efficient manner that his work often goes unnoticed.  If there is a harder worker in First Division football at the moment, then we haven’t played against him.  Incidentally Dennis Mochan, who played left back for Forest, is a Scotsman and a brother of Neill Mochan, who had a couple of seasons with Middlesborough in the early 1950’s.  When the England selectors consider their team for the vital match against Scotland on April 6, at Wembley, one player who must surely come into consideration is our new left half, Tony Kay.  After that defeat in Paris I feel that the “new look” Tony Kay is something the England side badly needs, even though his playing would obviously lessen the chances of my home country carrying off the international championship.  Tony already has seven Under-23 caps and three Football League honours to his credit, so it seems about time he received full recognition.  Whatever to-day’s result at West Ham, we will face two games next week, playing Manchester City at Goodison Park on Saturday and either Ipswich, away, in a League game, or West Ham, home, in a Cup replay in mid-week. 

EVERTON RES V BLACKBURN RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 16 March 1963
Everton Res – Dunlop; Parnell, Thomson; Jarvis, Heslop, Sharples; Scott, Rees, Wignall, Temple, Veall.  Blackburn Rovers Res;- Jones; Collins, Ravior; McEvoy, Slater, Sims, Tong, Byrom, Pickering, Brennan, D. Cook.  Referee; Mr. H. Ashton (St. Helens).  A spell o midfield play was only broken when Blackburn began to take the initiative.  They had an ideal chance of going into the lead when Cook put across a nice centre for Pickering.  The centre forward completely miskicked, and although the ball was returned to him seconds later Dunlop then had it well covered.  Everton went ahead at the 15th minute when from a corner the ball was punched out to Rees, who headed back a high dropping ball which goalkeeper Jones could not reach.  Blackburn equalised after 27 minutes. A long ball upfield eventually reached the head of Pickering who nodded it into the corner of the net with Dunlop completely beaten.  Inside right Rees, playing his first game in the forward line, was showing some nice touches, but Taylor and Sims were keeping a fairly tight rein on both him and Wignall.  Half-time – Everton Res 1, Blackburn R Res 1. 

JACK ROWE’S VIEW OF EVERTON’S CUP DEFEAT
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, March 18 1963
THE MOST DIABOLICAL I HAVE SEEN
WEST HAM UNITED 1, EVERTON 0
By Jack Rowe
The most diabolical penalty decision in the years I have been watching Cup and League football! That is my view of the sixtieth minute drama in the tempestuous clash at Upon Park on Saturday, which ended Everton’s Wembley hopes and from a Merseyside viewpoint robbed the Cup of 50 per cent, of its glamour- Liverpool supply the other half.  To go out in this way will be for Everton and their followers the most galling moment of the season, because rarely has there been such a match, in which neither side deserved to win and where one can say with all fairness that a draw was the most either could claim as reward for an afternoon’s endeavour.  Even if a goal had come without complaint at either end this would still be my verdict but in the end we are faced with the fact that Everton went out so unsatisfactorily and amid such scenes of emotion and turbulence that one wonders how long it is going to before spectators go even further and take action which ensures that a game is not completed. 
UNSEENLY SCENES
Referee Finney is rated among our top officials and normally the man in the middle has much of my sympathy but on this occasion it is my conclusion that he cannot escape his share of the responsibility for the unseemly and undignified scenes, which always follow the invasion of the pitch by a spectator or spectators.  After the penalty incident spectators were forcibly escorted out of the ground and at the finish more police officers had to give protection to the referee from a man who rushed on to the pitch.  I don’t know what reaction there is going to be from officialdom over these scenes, but I cannot completely exonerate the referee- and not only with the penalty incident.  This game got really rough at times and my quarrel with Mr. Finney is not that he was wrong to take Kay’s name, but that he did not take the name of at least one West Ham player. 
GENERAL WARNING?
Apart from everything else Mr. Finney had a word with the two captains just before the goal and one can only assume- the referee would not grant me an interview afterwards-that he was issuing a general warning, I don’t like to see this because a referee should impose his own control without going to these lengths.  The explosive game in the sixtieth minute with the penalty decision which frankly shocked me, as it did thousands of others.  To me it happened like this.  West Ham, who had been attacking quite strongly, got a corner on the left and when this came over Gabriel headed the ball out diagonally towards the edge of the penalty area, where Stevens and Moores raced for it.  Stevens got to it first and took the bouncing ball on his chest while facing his own goal- and naturally in front of Moore.  In my mind there is no doubt that Moore hit Stevens from behind and propelled him forward.  The ball went away towards the touchline and the whistle went and my immediate reaction was that Mr. Finney, who was well placed, had awarded a free kick to Everton.  Stevens, too, must have thought this because he chased after the ball and then stood flabbergasted as Mr. Finney pointed to the spot.  He was no more flabbergasted than I was because even if Stevens did make any sort of contact with the ball with any part of his hand or arm, the operative moment to me was when Moore fouled the Everton man. 
“CARRIED BALL.”
I did not see any handling offence, but that could have happened because the players were between me and the ball.  However, Mr. Finney told Mr. Harry Catterick, the Everton manager, afterwards that Stevens carried the ball with his arm and that was why he gave the kick.  Probably he did but when I reckoned Mr. Finney erred badly was in not penalising Moore.  The laws permit charging in the back when a player is deliberately obstructing the ball, but not when two players are challenging for it and in this case Stevens was the victim of an offence, not the perpetrator.  The uproar from Everton supporters was immediate and so were the protests from the players, but eventually Bryne stroked the kick home and Everton were on their way out.  Then we had the police in action and the hold-up until order came back.  The demonstrating supporters had travelled a long way to see their team, many of them in discomfort and at some cost, and to see their team knocked out of the Cup so unsatisfactorily is liable to upset discretion.  A clear-cut goal by West Ham, or even a goal caused by a mistake by one of their own side and they can have had no complaint, but at Upton Park they were, I contend left with a feeling of injustice.
POOR SPECTACLE
The game as a spectacle, was poor.  West Ham were just as much responsible as Everton for starting the roughness and I certainly consider Moore, fine player though he is, and Brabrook fortunate not to be in Mr. Finney’s book with Kay.  Of course, much of this was bound up with the tension, which never left the game.  Everything was played too hurriedly although the wind did not help ball control.  Towards the end of the first half Everton looked as though they might get control, but never did they play well as a team.  Stevens missed a great chance in the first half, so that his day was a miserable one, in spite of his constant endeavour.  Morrissey, I thought, was the best of the forwards, for Vernon apart from one first half shot, made me impact and Young the victim of strong tackling, failed out in the second half.  Defensively Everton were shakier than I have seen them for a long time, but West Ham got more chances in the second half because Gabriel was moved up into the Goodison attack in an attempt to save the game and when a team is faced with this situation defence is certain to suffer.  Labone has never played so uncertainly, while Kay began like a powerhouse and ran down Parker and Meagan did a good job, but although West made one good save after the interval he did not inspire complete confidence.  Parker who had two stitches inserted in an eye after the match.  Gabriel, Morrissey and the hardworking Stevens came out best for Everton, who, strangely enough have slipped more than a little especially when this Cup defeat s considered since they made their last big signings.  West ham owed most to goalkeeper Standen.  He never looked like making a mistake and his save from Morrissey’s header as Everton struggled for an equaliser was probably the best thing in the whole game.  West Ham; Standen; Kirkup, Burkett; Bovington, Brown, Moore; Brabrook, Boyce, Sealey, Bryne, Scott.  Everton; West; Parker, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  Referee; Mr. J. Finney (Hereford).  Attendance 31,770.

WIGNALL HIT THE WINNER FOR EVERTON
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, March 18, 1963
EVERTON RES 3, BLACKBURN R RES 2
Everton reserves did not give one of their best displays in this Central League game at Goodison Park on Saturday.  Defences on both sides were well on top, and play was confined mainly to midfield where good construction was ruined by forward failure.  Inside right Rees although missing one easy chance, got two goals and seemed quite happy playing in this position for the first time.  His first goal after fifteen minutes was a header and the second, after the interval, when the Blackburn defence stood still waiting for an offside decision which never came.  Centre forward Wignall, who had a hard game, got the winner ten minutes from the end, when he chased a slow back pass and beat goalkeeper Jones to the ball.  Blackburn replied with two good efforts by centre forward Pickering who, with amateur outside left D. Cook were a dangerous combination. 

PENALTY? ONLY THE REFEREE THOUGHT SO
Liverpool Echo - Monday 18 March 1963
By Michael Charters
Overshadowing all else In Everton's Cup defeat at West Ham on Saturday was the penalty award which knocked them off the Wembley road. Let's have it perfectly straight …this was one of the worst refereeing decisions have ever seen, and it is fair to say that the vast majority of people at the ground, Including the West Ham players and officials, were amazed when referee Jim Finney, last year's Cup Final referee and rated one of the top three officials in the country, penalised Everton when, in fact, It seemed that he should have awarded a foul against West Ham.  This is how I saw the incident, in the 59th minute of a ragged, rugged game in which strength and power play kept football at a minimum in a welter of fouls and contention.  West Ham had a corner kick on the right. Brabrook swept the ball over; Gabriel headed it on towards Stevens, standing facing his own goal on the left about a yard inside the penalty box.   As Stevens took a step forward to control the ball, the big bustling Moore came in like a tank from behind him, sent the Everton player hurtling forward with a charge in the back, and then the whistle went.  My immediate thought was a foul against Moore, but Mr.  Finney was pointing to the penalty spot. Even now, 24 hours after the game, I can hardly credit that it happened.  To the Everton players, it must have seemed a nightmare.  Why did Mr. Finney award a penalty? Nobody knew for certain and Mr. Finney was reluctant to see reporters after the game.  But Mr. Harry Catterick, Everton manager, did speak to the official, whose version was that Stevens had carried the ball forward with his hand. The crux of the matter I thought, was that if Stevens arm did make contact with the ball it was because he was knocked onto it by Moore's illegal charge in the back. Byrne scored from the penalty sending West the wrong way as he stroked the ball low into the left hand corner of the net.  TRAGIC DISMISSAL 
It was tragic that Everton's bid for the Cup should end in such a way. There would,  no complaints if West, Ham had won by a goal scored from a clear-cut move, but to go out of the Cup under  such a cloud of doubt and dispute  was doubly disappointing . These comments are not intended as excuses for Everton. They did not play well and there was so little continuity in the game, so few sustained movements, so much bodily contact between players, that skill and polish went overboard for power.  But Everton certainly deserved a replay. A draw would have been a fair reflection of the bruising struggle which masqueraded for a football match.  There is so much at stake in the Cup that players go into situations with the prime purpose of getting possession at all costs.  West Ham and Everton were equally to blame for the contention which ruined this match, although Everton’s reputation suffered most because they lost their poise and control in the second half.  What football we did see, the small ration of controlled, planned play that was possible came from Everton in the first half.  Had they maintained this approach throughout, they might have saved the game, but even though Gabriel moved to centre forward for the last 25 minutes, Stevens dropping back, very little came of it. They were bustled and harried off the ball, and retaliated with similar tactics.  They are not built for such play.  Conditions were difficult because the ball was lively under the effect of a swirling wind.  With the ball so much in the air, players were going in, with their feet up to try to take control; it was remarkable  that all finished "in one  piece" although Parker had  to have three stitches in a cut  below his right eyebrow when  Byrne's elbow caught him late in the game.  The penalty was the flash-point which caused events to bubble over after they had been fomenting for most of the game. Shortly before the incident, Gabriel fouled Byrne and left him writhing on the ground by the half-way line; the referee ignored it.  The ball went on towards Everton's penalty area, and Parker crashed against Boyce in trying to control it. This was a case of both players moving in together for the ball but Boyce went hurtling to the ground and Parker was penalised.  Before the free kick was taken, the referee spoke to both captains. Vernon and Moore, to tell them to calm down their players. It had no effect.  Before Byrne took the penalty, the referee called a policeman to patrol behind West's goal as objects were being thrown on to the pitch.  After the penalty, a spectator raced from the far end of the ground, followed by two policemen, and spoke to Vernon as the law made contact with him.  Then followed the unedifying spectacle of five policemen struggling with the fighting fan as they carried him off the pitch. A helmet went flying and was picked up by the referee: police behind the West Ham goal bustled other spectators away as they tried to join the unarmed combat on the pitch. 
DREADFUL SCENE
It was a dreadful scene which somehow typified the whole trend of the game.  The crowd were howling and jeering at the Everton team, and when the game did resume, Kay had his name taken for a foul on Brabrook, when the West Ham winger appeared to rake Kay's thigh with his boot.  Everton came out of the game with little credit. In attack, Stevens played his usual consistent game and withstood some bone-crushing tackles from Moore, who was the man of the match despite the ruggedness he put into his play.  Vernon was completely innocuous and did little right.  Everton depend so much on their captain's goal scoring ability that when Vernon is so out of form, as he has been for some time now, there is no one who can take over the scoring role.  Defensively, Everton were sound. Despite one or two slips, Labone played very well and was particularly good in the air.  Parker and Meagan were good, particularly Parker, while Kay and Gabriel were always in the thick of it without being able to make any constructive impression.  West made some splendid saves late on from Boyce and, Sealy, the former missing some gift chances.  Standen. Moore and Brown were West Ham's best players, but their forwards played without pattern or style.  Standen saved superbly from a Morrissey header, when Everton came nearest to equalising, and also did equally well in the first half from shots by Young and Vernon.  But the better points of the game were lost in the plethora of incidents. It was a game best forgotten by all concerned. 

EVERTON FAN FINED £10
Liverpool Echo - Monday 18 March 1963
INCIDENT AT UPON PARK CUP-TIE
Arrested at Upton Park on Saturday, when West Ham were playing Everton a 19-years-old fruit porter, Christopher Brooks, Severn Street, Liverpool, was at East Ham today fined  £5 for using insulting words with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, and  £5 for assaulting Police Constable David Hunter.  Brooks pleaded guilty and said; “It won’t happen again.” Constable Hunter said that when he approached Brooks and told him he would be arrested because of his behaviour, he replied; “It wasn’t me.”  Brooks then struck him on the shoulder.  The Bench told Brooks this was a serious matter and the magistrates were not going to tolerate assaults on the police.
MEAGAN UNFIT
Everton travelled to Ipswich today for a League game there tomorrow night Meagan who has a stomach injury will not be fit to play.  Thomson will take his place.  Only 12 players travelled Twelfth man being transfer-listed reserve centre forward Wignall.  Everton; (probable team); West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Klay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey. 

THAT “LOAD OF MUCK” STATEMENT
Liverpool Daily Post- Tuesday March 19, 1963
EVERTON CHAIRMAN HITS BACK
WHOLE OF BLAME SHOULD NOT BE LEVELLED AT US-HE SAYS
By Jack Rowe
Everton supporters, who were made the target of criticism after the contentious and angry Cup match at West Ham on Saturday, found a champion last night when Mr. John Moores, the chairman of the Goodison Park club, answered allegations made by Mr. R.H. Pratt, the West Ham chairman and especially his reference to Everton fans as a “load of muck.” Mr. Moores told me that he deprecated hooliganism and the invasion of the playing area by over-excited spectators but he equally deprecated Mr. Pratt’s reported description of Everton followers.  He added; “If the report is true, this is very unparliamentarily language for any club chairman to use.  “But even if there was any trouble, and I did not see too much considering the importance and tension of the occasion, I am far from convinced that the whole of the blame should be laid at Everton’s door.  “We at Everton owe a great deal to the enthusiasm and unswerving loyalty of tens of thousands of our supporters who give us their support in bad times as well as in good.  “I am not for a moment going to condemn Everton’s supporters generally even if and I do not admit if, the small minority happen to get carried away by their emotions.
FANS INCENSED
Mr. Moores’ statement will be welcomed by the main body of Everton fans who are incensed that they should be singled out for stricture on every possible occasion.  The game can well do without some of the things which happened at West Ham on Saturday, but it is impossible to believe that all the West Ham supporters were angels to disguise while those who came with Everton were horned devils.  Certainly some spectators ran on to the pitch and bottles were thrown, but who can identify bottle throwing with certainty?  The West Ham chairman also complained that after the match the referee and some of his players were insulted.  I have been to away matches with Everton and Liverpool on many occasions when their players have been shouted at, jeered, booed and cursed and so has the referee, so if what Mr. Pratt says is correct no precedent was created.  The Everton party left West Ham as quickly as possible to catch the train at Euston on Saturday night so that there was not much chance of witnessing these incidents, but I doo know that just outside the West Ham ground certain people who had been at the game- and they were not Everton fans-were not particular about some of the language they hurled at the coach as it passed them.  But this often happens at away games and no-one pays too much attention to it...
OUTSIDE GROUND
When told of the Everton chairman’s statement, Mr. Pratt said; “Fair enough, but Mr. Moores had left when incidents happened outside the ground led to my calling certain Everton followers a load of muck.  “A group waited behind long, after the match and insulted the referee and some of our players, including our captain, Bobby Moore, as the left with his wife.  “That was not done during the heat of the match, and such incidents are very bad for the game.  “People who had never before been to a soccer match would never go again if they witnessed such behavior.  Clubs have a responsibility in this respect, and we have always faced up to it at West Ham.”  Mr. Pratt added that a decision would be taken at to-day’s board meeting whether to write to Everton on the matter.  The West Ham chairman said that he does not anticipate trouble when his team played at Liverpool in the sixth ground.  He said; “They are a very pleasant club, and a very pleasant club, and their team play good football.” We have done well against them in recent seasons and I anticipate’s a first-class match.” 

WEST HAM GOT OFF LIGHTLY, HE SAYS…
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 19 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
There should be a law prohibiting the sale of beer in bottles, or any other bottled drink, at football grounds.  The non-appearance of empty bottle missiles has been one of the features of home games at Anfield and Goodison Park this season.  Paper drinking vessels are also a must.  At West Ham, I am told, passages and terracing was littered with empty bottles and the like long before the game began.  Mr. A. Ross (68 Burnthwaite Road) who tells me this, has written to the West Ham club protesting at the state of terraces and passages when he entered the ground.  “I don’t want to deny anyone his drink,” Mr. Ross says, “but bottled beer should be emptied into throw-away cartons and the bottles kept where they are safe, behind the counters.  “West ham,” he continues, “got off lightly on this occasion mainly due to the guts, tact and individual decisions o police who handled the situation.  Everyone agrees that it is sad, and unnecessary, that clubs such as Everton and West Ham should become involved as they were on Saturday and the failure of the West Ham Chairman to forget to point out his appreciation that he was aiming his “dirt” at a tiny section of Everton’s following did nothing (on the contrary) to improve the situation.  We had slowly started to live down our football reputation for wrong-doing; as soon as fans succeed in behaving marvelously on excursion trains up comes a black mark for another reason, and it hardly matters whether West Ham share that blackness with us…..
   Unkind cuts at Everton – after all they’ve only been guilty so far of losing an away Cup-tie –comes from J. Riley (22 Ellesmere Grove, Wallasey).  He sees it this way; “The new flying Scot is no improvement on puffing Billy; Stevens runs all over the place not getting anywhere in particular; Young, with his all-too-few brilliant spells, makes too few excursions into the goal mouth, and Vernon gets steamed up too quickly and would be better sitting among the trainers and brought out to take penalties only; Morrissey is inclined to make too many stops and is often late with his crosses.”  Otherwise, Mr. Riley, Everton are a good team? 
A LONG TIME PAST
You say we’ve had it good in the past.  You are right, and a long time past in Everton’s case.  Managers come and go and sign on undersized, lightweight forwards with little shooting ability.  The three who function inside today are three of the weakest shots the club ever had.- George Borrow, 31 Malta Road, Bootle, 20.
  “The sportsmanship of the Kilmarnock goalkeeper at Goodison Park was notable.  He applauded all Everton’s goals, except the penalty.” George Powell, 43 Merton Crescent, Roby. 
  “Mr. Shankley tips Spurs for the League, I don’t wonder, this is on the cards because every time Liverpool play one of Everton’s challengers they seem to lose, Wolves, Burnley, and Leicester are examples.  With four points coming to Spurs from two Liverpool games I don’t see how they can fall!” –R.C. O’Neill, 143 Gorsey Lane, Ford. 
IPSWICH TEAM
Ipswich Town rely on the side that lost 4-2 to Spurs on Saturday for tonight’s home match with Everton.  Ipswich.- Bailey; Carberry, Compton; Baxter, nelson, Elsworthy; Stephenson, Curtis, Crawford, Phillips, Leadbetter. 

IPSWICH BAFFLED BY CLASS DISPLAY
Liverpool Daily Post- Wednesday, March 20, 1963
DAZZLING EVERTON BACK ON TITLE TRAIL
GABRIEL AND KAY WING-HALF PLAY AT ITS BEST
IPSWICH TOWN 0, EVERTON 3
By Michael Charters
Everton not only gained a first class win at Ipswich last night in their chase to overhaul League leaders Tottenham, but the great feature was that they achieved it with a display similar to the form they were showing before the great freeze-up in December.  The basis of their victory was a magnificent half-back display.  Kay and Gabriel dominated the midfield, with excellent distribution and defensive work while Labone was in international form again in the middle.  Ipswich played hard and well up to the time of Everton’s second goal just on to the hour, but after that they fell right away.  Everton always had much more class and polish than the home team, who on this display seem certain to return to the Second Division after being champions last season.  Everton’s first half display with the forwards moving superbly at speed, and precision which had Ipswich baffled was as good as I have seen from them all season.  Gone was the tension which has characterized their last half-dozen games and they were always better than Ipswich at every point of the game.
ON TO BAR
They had the impetus of an early goal (four minutes) when a great left wing move between Vernon, Morrissey and Kay saw the winger push the ball inside to Kay whose clever shot deceived Bailey and the goalkeeper pushed the ball on to the bar.  As the ball came down, Young flung himself headlong and headed the ball only a foot from the ground into the net.  From that moment Everton rarely looked like losing control of the match, although there were times in the first half when the twin formation of Phillips and Crawford might well have got a goal back.  After ten minutes Crawford headed the ball through cleverly to Phillips who shot straight at West and the goalkeeper’s only problems for the rest of the half were two long centres from Stephenson which dropped dangerously under the bar as Crawford came hurtling in.  I thought the centre forward had fouled West on each occasion, but West managed to tip the ball over as Crawford finished up tangled in the net.  After that Everton were back in control and Morrissey put through by Vernon, forced Bailey to a full length save and then Stevens hit one side after Scott gave him possession.  Phillips shot wide from a good opening which was just about Ipswich’s last real threat and then Scott, who showed his value and had a great game, although from a corner by Morrissey, his shot hitting Bailey as the goalkeeper lay on the ground. 
NAMES TAKEN
It was a first class match under perfect conditions, but the only snags for Everton were that both Gabriel and Thomson had their names taken.  The first incident came just before half-time when Curtis fouled Gabriel as the Everton player was running back for the ball.  Gabriel retaliated and the referee immediately blew and took the names of both players.  Thomson, who had a fine game as deputy to the injured Meagan, had his name taken minutes from the end after a tackle on Stephenson.  The referee’s action here was a puzzle because it seemed to me that Thomson made a fair tackle on the winger.  This was not a dirty game by any means.  It was played hard, but in an excellent spirit so it is all the more surprising that the referee took the action he did over Thomson.  Everton won the game after 65 minutes when Scott crossed the ball hard and low and Elseworthy turned it into his own net in a goalmouth scramble.  Four minutes later Morrissey robbed Carberry, pushed the ball inside to Vernon and the Ipswich defence was wide open as it had been so often against Everton’s accurate forward play.  Vernon slipped a perfect pass through to Young who beat Bailey with a fine angled shot.
NO WEAKNESS
This was a fine team display in which every man played his full part.  There was no weakness at all and West did not have a straight-forward save to make of any quality.  Both backs were sound and in attack there were signs that Vernon is coming back to his best form which will be good news for Everton fans.  He fought back for the ball and both he and Stevens distributed it excellently.  Scott was a great threat on the right always doing something useful and showing fine pace and power.  Young, although doing little in the air against the tall nelson, moved about intelligently but the great feature was the performance of Gabriel and Kay.  Their’s was wing half play at its best.  Although this win must be regarded in the light of the struggling Ipswich whose age is beginning to tell in the fierce pace of First Division football, no one could quibble with Everton’s fine all-round performance which gives hopes of them now renewing their challenge for the Championship.  Ipswich Town; Bailey; Carberry, Compton; Baxter, nelson, Elsworthy, Stephenson, Curtis, Crawford, Phillips, Leadbetter.  Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon,Morrissey.  Referee; Mr. T. W. Dawes (Norwich).  Attendance 19,714. 

PRE-MATCH PEP TALKS INSPIRE EVERTON TO BEST FORM
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 20 March 1963
By Michael Charters   
Everton's 3-0 win at Ipswich last night was achieved in the grand manner, with a return to their form of the pre-freeze-up era. But I believe that it was a talk by Manager Harry Catterick in their hotel before the game, backed by a further confidence booster from Chairman John Moores in the dressing rooms that had much to do with the team finding their form again for a first-clans victory.  Mr. Catterick, conscious that his team had been playing under great strain with unfavorable publicity recently, coupled to the fact that pressure had been on them constantly for months to produce success all the time tried a new approach. His aim was to relieve the tension which has been so evident recently. They had been trying too hard and had lost their rhythm. There was too much anxiety to succeed, almost an air of desperation among them. He told them to go out and make attractive football their principal aim. He told them to enjoy their football instead of worrying about results.
ONLY DIRECTOR 
Mr. Moors, the only Everton director at the game, that flown down by private plane and he endorsed the manager's remarks. He told the players that they had all been brought as fine footballers with the object of playing attractive, good football.  He wanted them to do this and he was sure that success would follow automatically.  The result was a revelation after the recent disappointing displays.  For the first time since December against First Division opposition, they played class football with poise and rhythm which crushed Ipswich for a most decisive victory.  The game, in retrospect, could be regarded as one of the most vital of the season for Everton.  The result, and more important, the manner in which it was achieved, will make the players more relaxed and assured and has removed much of the tension which has been spoiling them recently.
STRONGER CHALLENGE
The two points for Everton should signal a renewed and stronger challenge for the championship themselves, chasing Tottenham and Leicester now in the two leading places.  The only disappointing feature last night was the feet that Gabriel and Thomson had their names taken by the referee. Gabriel being involved in an incident with the Ipswich inside right Curtis, who was, also booked.  It seemed to me that  Everton's reputation following  the West Ham game, made  Referee Dawes too rigorous  altogether in clamping down  on any Everton misdemeanours.  This match was played in an excellent spirit and could never by any stretch of the imagination be called dirty.  The Gabriel-Curtis incident was an isolated one. The Ipswich player deliberately fouled Gabriel as the Everton player was running into position for the ball and Gabriel retaliated, which resulted in them both being booked.  Thomson's name was taken for what seemed to me to be a perfectly fair tackle on the Ipswich outside right. Stephen son, who made the most of the situation by flinging himself headlong,. 
UNJUST DECISION 
This was the first time in his career that Thomson had his name taken and it seemed a very unjust decision to me.  Everton s victory was essentially based on a first-class team display with every player finding h is form and moving the ball about with speed and precision which reduced Ipswich to a struggling rabble long before the end. But a major part in the success was played by the half-back line.  The displays of Kay and  Gabriel were wing half play at its very best,  while was so solidly effective in the  middle that Crawford, the former England leader, rarely got a chance to show his ability.  In the forwards the great feature was the performance of Scott, who showed great speed and power and brought a great deal of needed penetration to the Everton attack.  With Vernon showed that he is rapidly returning to his old form and backed by an all-out display of effort and skill from Stevens and Young, the Everton forwards generally looked a first-class combination. 
SCHOOLMATES 
Morrissey, playing against Carberry, his former schoolmate at a Scotland Road school had an excellent game and there was no old school act in the way he beat Carberry so often.  West was so excellently covered by Everton's competent defence that he had no direct save of any quality to make. His best work came in  the first half when Ipswich  were fighting hard for a goal as he twice evaded desperate  lunges by Crawford to turn the ball over the bar from centres by Stephenson.  Parker and Thomson were excellent, with Thomson, coming in for the injured Meagan, having one of his best games of the season.  Everton had the encouragement of an early goal (four minutes when a finely judged shot by Kay deceived goalkeeper Bailey, who turned the ball on to the crossbar. As the ball bounced down, Young flung himself full length to head it into the net when he was only a foot off the ground.  The game really turned Everton’s way conclusively after 65 minutes when a low fast centre by Scott was turned over his own goal line by Elsworthy. Four minutes later a glorious through pass from Vernon sent Young away and the centre forward put a finely angled shot into the net.  Everton might well have doubled the score in their favour, for they were too fast and too good altogether for the Ipswich defenders, who were hurried into making mistake after mistake. 

EVERTON’S ROY VERNON SAYS-
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, March 22, 1963
THAT PENALTY WAS A CRUEL MOMENT
I have known some cruel moments in my sporting life, but none to compare with that at West Ham on Saturday when we were tossed out of the F.A Cup competition by a penalty goal which even critics who can hardly be accused of loving Everton conceded was never merited.  It is not my duty to criticize referees or decisions they may make and I do not intend to do so, but in seeking an explanation for the penalty award I can only assume that the referee was unsighted when Denis Stevens was pushed towards the ball.  Only spilt second interference with a view is needed to transform it and because Mr. Finney is such a good and experienced referee, that would appear to be the only logical explanation.  That one fatal moment has completely transformed ours plans.  We were going all out for the double, make no mistake about that, for we felt it in our bones that we could do both without prejudicing our ambitions in either direction.  Without that goal there would have been a replay at Goodison Park, for I do not believe West Ham could have scored without the aid of a penalty no matter how long the game had gone on.  At Goodison Park I don’t believe West Ham would have lived with us! 
HEART-BREAKING
I am told it is this sort of uncertainty that helps to make the Cup such a great adventure.  Now I am all for adventure, but when weeks and months of striving and planning are sabotaged by a human error outside the team it is heart-breaking and I make no apology for confessing to heartbreak.  Liverpool are now given the opportunity of making amends for us, and while every member of the Goodison side will wish them the best of luck in round six (for if we cannot go to Wembley, who better than Liverpool?), we would advise caution.  West Ham are a tough side, not only that, their luck, is in, and if it be true that good fortune is needed to reach the final, then look out Liverpool! We know to our cost just how lucky West Ham can be.  It could be, of course, that they have used up their quota of luck in removing the name of Everton from the Cup possibies.  We still have the League championship to aim at and it was wonderful to have such an early opportunity of getting the Upon Park debacle out of our minds by being able to show our skill at Ipswich on Tuesday.  This was an inspiring victory, even when you take into account that Ipswich are fighting what may be a losing battle against relegation.  There are no bonnier fighters than a team faced when they are at home, for it is on home points that they mainly rely to save the day.  We were able to develop our normal game and when we can do that we seldom have any qualms about the result.  Can we over take Tottenham?  I promise you we can-and will- for Tottenham can be completely defeated by a combined Merseyside assault.  If we beat them at Goodison Park, as we mean to do, and Liverpool can take at least three points out of them in the two Easter games, I reckon we will be almost there, for I think top place will be fought out between Everton and Spurs.  I have heard some speculation that if Everton had beaten West Ham there would have been a Liverpool-Everton meeting in round six, but this may not necessarily be so, for Everton’s number would have been different from that of West Ham.  I can assure you the Everton players were delighted to learn yesterday that a new date had been found for our postponed match at Anfield-Monday April 2.  Although it means for going our day off it will be a sacrifice we are glad to make for we welcome the opportunity to put these rampant Reds firmly in their place! 

REHABILITATION DAY FOR EVERTON AND CITY
Liverpool Echo - Friday 22 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
Both teams at Goodison Park to-morrow have  opportunity to redeem themselves—Everton for  Cup defeat and worse; Manchester City for persisting  in defensive play where their only chance of  moving up the table would seem to be in forgetting defence and going all-out, all-up to bring off a  surprise. The four half-back plan as operated by Leicester City, is a success; other clubs, including Manchester City would seem to be using the tactic in a half-baked form.  How long they are prepared to persist in it is anyone's guess. Their chances at Everton would be improved, I think, by detaching a defender now and again and giving him an attacking role. Indeed, this should be an automatic process in every side, just as football calls for the automatic reversion to defence, on occasion, in inside or even wing forwards. The too persistent appearance of a forward in a defensive role is what angers crowds and frustrates opponents.  Everything which has happened this week in the League indicates that Everton and Liverpool are not going to finish so close in the table after all. The one side have games and points in hand and unless Liverpool surprise Burnley at Turf Moor to-day, or Manchester City surprise Everton, the gain points could well be widened.  Everton have much to live down. Elsewhere in this column will be found criticism by their own fans of some aspects of their play at West Ham; and some necessary comment on the West Ham chairman. Mr. Pratt, for not being precise enough to since out the few wrong 'uns to whom he was really referring.  Everton don't need to "mix it” They have abundant skill. One would have thought, as they are obviously attempting to match the poise of the Spurs and others, that they would be scrupulously clean in all their games, however the game is going. Clubs and players will not understand that nearly everyone who goes to watch football is perfectly  content with a fair, entertaining game, irrespective of  whether their side wins or not. We hope to see our side win, but if they don't (as Liverpool did not on Wednesday) and the game is attractive nearly everyone is satisfied.

EVERTON NAME UNCHANGED TEAM
Liverpool Echo - Friday 22 March 1963
CITY AT FULL STRENGTH
GOODISON GAME
By Michael Charters
Everton will be unchanged for their game against Manchester City, at Goodison Park tomorrow.  Left-back Mick Meagan who missed the game at Ipswich on Tuesday, is suffering from a stomach strain and is seeing a specialist.  He has had this trouble for the past couple of weeks.  Manchester City are back to full strength.  Neil Young, who missed the Cup defeat by Norwich with a strained thigh, is fit again and takes over from Joe Hayes on the right wing while the recent signing from Third Lanark, Matt Gray, who was ineligible for the Cup, returns to inside left as replacement for George Hannah.  Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, (A.), Vernon, Morrissey.  Manchester City; Dowd; Betts, Kennedy; Benson, Leivers, Oakes; Young (N.), Dobing, Harley, Gray, Wagstaffe. 

EVERTON MUST ADOPT ROLE OF DICTATORS
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday March 23, 1963
MANCHESTER TEAM WERE LAST SIDE TO WIN AT GOODISON PARK- IN 1961
By Horace Yates
Do you recall, I wonder that the last club to win a match- Cup or League –at Goodison Park were Manchester City, to-day’s visitors, as long ago as September 6, 1961, and possibly more important, I wonder if Manchester City realize it?  They visit Everton with a huge query behind their name, in consequences of the faith they have been placing recently on their defensive football plan the type of which is proving such an abomination in present day soccer.  City cannot complain if their hosts are suspicious, for Everton followers have been brought up on a diet of free flowing, attractive football, by and large.  There may have been occasional departures now and again, but in the main Everton’s record will bear the closest scrutiny, and spectators who know what they appreciate most are loath to settle for anything less.  It is appreciated that Manchester City’s League position is precarious enough to demand unusual remedies and maybe a point at Goodison would satisfy them, but can this kill-joy 2-5-3 formation lead to anything but heart-break, not only for City but everyone who has to see it in operation? 
BLOCKADE BUSTERS
I believe that Everton, revived by the appetizing victory at Ipswich on Tuesday, will smash any attempt by City to blockade their goal and if the Manchester team are determined to adopt this strategy then the Everton plan must be to hit them with everything they can muster in an opening assault to produce an early goal.  Once a team with defensive designs are in arrears, a continuance of a stifling approach has even less of a future than at the outset.  One thing is certain, City will not repeat that 1961 triumph by defence alone.  If they find it difficult to cast their minds back so far, perhaps it is not asking too much of them to recall the meeting between the two clubs at Maine Road, this season when City held Everton to a 1-1 draw, by attractive football methods. A point is a point, no matter how obtained, but I should think there is far more joy from a division of spoils when the accent is on offensive rather than defensive ideas.  City, we are told abandoned their 2-5-3 formation against Norwich City, but that was only after it became apparent that further defence could not provide them with goals.  Sorrowfully, I have to record that in practice this week, there was no indication that their defensive planning had had its day.  City have some very fine players, good attacking forwards, but if they are denied the right to play their own game and given adequate support for it, how can they hope to succeed?  Defence will take City nowhere, except into the Second Division. 
COME OFF IT, CITY!
Only two clubs have conceded more goals and it is small wonder that their attacking record is dismal if the men brought to score goals are detailed to make their first priority the stopping of opponents from getting them.  Come off it City! Take courage in both hands.  Give us a game of football and who knows, perhaps stagger yourselves into the bargain!  Is it a good sign that they have two changes in attack.  Neil Young replaces Joe Hayes at outside right and Matt Gray takes over from George Hannah at inside left.  Everton will be without Mick Meagan for the second successive game, because of a pulled muscle, and Thomson continues as deputy.  Because there is quite a possibility that Tottenham may drop two points at Leicester, this is Everton’s opportunity to turn one of their matches in hand into two points and help to close the gap at the top.  I feel sure Everton will be thirsting for goals from the start and that they, not City, will dictate the way things are to go.  Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  Manchester City; Dowd; Betts, Kennedy; Benson, Lievers, Oakes, Young, Dobing, Harley, Grey, Wagstaffe. 

WEST HAM CHAIRMAN’S OFFER
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday, March 23, 1963
LET US SHAKE HANDS AND FORGET
An offer to Everton supporters, who may be sorry for their part in the affairs of last Saturday, to “shake hands and forget,” comes from the chairman of West Ham Football Club, Mr. Reg Pratt, in an open letter to the Daily Post yesterday.  This what Mr. Pratt writes; “First, I wish to thank the editor for so readily agreeing to publish this letter.  “May I say straight away that I was very distressed to find that certain off the record remarks I made following the West Ham United v. Everton Cup-tie were given so much publicity and in fairness to the vast majority of Everton supporters and myself, I am deeply concerned that the circumstances in which those remarks were made, and the mood engendered in me at the time should be clearly understood. 
TEEN-AGERS
“Before I left the Upton Park ground I was stopped by a number of people, who reported to me the following incidents in which teen-age Evertonians were involved;-
“1. On the morning of the match gangs of between eight and twelve in number went through a local street market and caused considerable damage and financial loss to traders and great discomfort to shoppers by their wanton behavior. 
“2. A gang of about twenty barged their way into the grounds of a local hospital and misused one of the staff toilets, leaving it in a filthy conditions. 
“3. One of our players, and his young wife, on leaving the ground, were subjected to the most obscene remarks by a number of youths. 
“4. A young newspaper boy, because he tried to recover a paper which had been snatched out of his hand by another young gang, was knocked to the ground and kicked.
“What with the bottle throwing still fresh in my mind and then these new facts, I am afraid I saw red, and it was then that I made the remarks that I did, remarks which in any case were certainly not meant for publication. 
HOLLIGANISM
The only people I had in mind at this moment were the perpetrators of such hooliganism, I want, therefore to address my final remark to the guilty ones.  “Without a doubt you are keen supporters of Everton.  Just what do you think you are doing?  “Everton are a great club, and a club of long and honorable traditions.  Don’t you realize therefore, that from the moment you step on to the train or coach which takes you to their away games until the moment you return to Liverpool those traditions and the club’s good name are in your hands and your trust?” 

ANOTHER BLANKET AT GOODISON PARK
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 23 March 1963
EVERTON MUST FIND WAY THROUGH CITY DEFENCE
By Michael Charters
Everton fans at Goodison Park today, still smarting over their side’s Cup defeat at West Ham, but conscious that the mid-week victory at Ipswich has brought a renewed and vigorous challenge for the League championship, may be faced with another frustrating exempt of blanket defence as perpetrated by the opposite, Manchester City.  City’s defensive gambit is even more involved than that which annoyed Everton supporters at the last home League game against Nottingham Forest, and although City manager Les McDowell has said his team will play a normal game at Maine Road, there is no indication that the plan will be thrown overboard for away matches.  City’s new plan with yet another unfathomable mathematical formula means that they are only interested in one-third of the pitch – their defensive zone.  The other two-thirds belong to their opponents and they don’t seem too interested in what happens there.  It is based on the opposing wingers being marked by their own wingers who drop right back.  One other forward falls back into no man’s land to act as a link man, only two forwards upfield in normal attacking positions.  This means that progress along the wings by the opposition is stifled because the winger has first to beat his opposite number and then the full back.  The half-backs line up with the full backs to that, counting the goalkeeper, there is a solid mass of nine men in defence.  This blanket cover can be beaten- City have failed dismally to make any impression recently and Norwich knocked them out of the Cup at Maine Road last week even with a man short when Mannion was sent off.  Unfortunately, the game as played by City becomes an essay in frustration for their opponents and the suffering spectators.  Everton manager Harry Catterick went to see City play Birmingham recently when they were using their new plan.  He describes the match as the worst First Division game he has ever seen.  Let us hope that Everton can overcome the problems that such a defensive set-up can pose.
BACK TO BEST
Everton’s performance at Ipswich on Tuesday would have delighted all their fans.  Because of the difficulty of travel to a night match so far away, there were no Everton supporters there, but the team played as though they were intending to impress their home thousands that they were back to their best.  The pre-match talk of Mr. Catterick, urging the players to try to lose the tension and anxiety which has bothered them recently, played a major part in the team playing a relaxed, confident and highly skillful game which produced football of the highest class.  If they can find a way through the City clamp; there is no reason why they should not maintain their Ipswich form.  With Leicester facing Tottenham this afternoon, the result of the two games could be that Everton will be in second place by this evening.  Tottenham are the side they are really chasing, as Leicester, very much Cup conscious now, and with a heavy away programme to face, may well fade in the championship stakes.  But Spurs have their sights firmly set on the title –and the European Cup again next season.  Everton appreciate that it will be tough going to the end of the season and Easter could settle it with Liverpool playing Spurs twice, and then Tottenham will be at Goodison the following Saturday.  A recent comparison of current form may be of interest here.  Spurs beat Ipswich last Saturday 4-2, settling the game with a goal only a few minutes from the end.  Everton beat Ipswich 3-0 on Tuesday, outclassing them at every stage of the game.  Ipswich manager Alf Ramsey, sorrowfully seeing his team fading from the First Division as he prepared to hand over to Jackie Milburn for full-time control of the England side, said; “Everton are the best team Ipswich have played this season.  Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young (A.), Vernon, Morrissey.  Manchester City; Dowd; Betts, Kennedy; Benson, Leivers, Oakes; Young (N.), Dobing, Harley, Grey, Wagstaffe. 

BLUES BATTER AT CITY’S DEFENCE IN DEPTH PLAN
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 23 March 1963
SHOTS GALORE BUT NO RUSH OF GOALS
EVERTON 2 MANCHESTER CITY 1
By Michael Charters

Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young (A.), Vernon, Morrissey.  Manchester City; Dowd; Betts, Kennedy; Benson, Lievers, Oakes; Young (N.), Dobing, Harley, Grey, Wagstaffe.  Referee; Mr. E.T. Jennings (Stourbridge).  Mr. Ian McColl the Scottish team manager, one of the Scottish selectors, was at the game this afternoon.  The weather was perfect and the pitch, although completely devoid of grass, was in perfect conditions.  Everton had settled into their stride much more quickly than the City and a great pass from Vernon was equally well taken by Scott, who cut inside Kennedy and his left foot shot was brilliantly saved by Dowd at the expense of a corner.  When Everton attacked, all eleven of the City players were back in their own half, but both Alex Young and Morrissey found their way through to hit fine shots which Dowd saved well on each occasion. 
SLOW-ACTION FOOTBALL
When City did attack it took them so long to get out of their defence in depth that it was slow motion football.  The game had become rather drab at this stage.  On one occasion, however, with Everton all out attacking a quick pass by Leivers found Dobing unmarked in midfield, but instead of shooting from a good chance he passed out to the left to Harley whose centre was headed clear by Labone, but it was a dangerous moment for Everton. 
SHOCK GOAL
It came as a shock when City took the lead after fifteen minutes with a fine goal from Wagstaffe – his first of the season.  It was made initially by Dobing who put the ball out perfectly to the young winger whose fine shot beat West and entered the net just inside the far upright.  Everton were coming up against this massive defence, in which City kept only Harley up field, and the rest of them piled back into the region of their own penalty area.  Everton were too inclined to put the ball in the air where City’s defenders had the size to outhead the Everton forwards.  Everton were on level terms six minutes after City’s goal.  Vernon floated the ball over to the region of the far post where Alex Young out-jumped Leivers and Dowd to head a lovely goal.  For the first time in the game the Everton chant was heard.  Everton were attacking in great waves with Kay and Gabriel backing up their forwards with a fine service of the ball but City’s packed defence looked very strong.  From a first class Everton move they should have taken the lead, Morrissey, after fine work by Stevens, got the ball inside to Gabriel who touched it on to the unmarked Stevens who shot straight at Dowd from only five yards range.  Then at the other end, West made a superb save from a good header by Grey, and suddenly the game burst into life again.  Stevens put the ball through well for Morrissey and in a hectic goalmouth scramble, in which Alex Young joined, the ball went narrowly wide. 
DUEL OF TACTICS
The game was an interesting duel of tactics with Everton doing 80 per cent, of the attacking and City’s defence all-out to contain them.  Leivers and company were intercepting of blocking pass after pass from the Everton forwards.  It was remarkable how near Everton were getting with being able to put in a punishing shot.  Wagstaffe and Grey were the City stars in attack, and the winger made a brilliant run infield before passing to Oakes whose first time shot from 25 yards was brilliantly touched over the top by West.  Betts the City captain, hurt his right ankle in a clash with Alex Young and was carried off on a stretcher.  This was after 41 minutes.  When the game resumed Vernon made a low shot which Dowd saved at full stretch and it was Benson who dropped back to full back.  Gabriel burst through the middle and passed to Morrison who rounded Benson and made a good centre which Alex Young stabbed just wide.  Later news about Betts was more happy.  A message from the doctor stated that Betts did not have a fractured ankle, and he was being allowed to return with the team after the game to Manchester.  Half-time. – Everton 1, Manchester City 1.  Immediately on the restart Stevens and Alex Young both missed connecting with Morrissey’s centre and they only had to touch the ball for it to be a goal.  Then Gabriel with a clever flick from Alex Young’s pass sent the ball just over the bar with Dowd stranded on the other side of his goal.  Everton were attacking persistently now, and since half time City had not been out of their own half of the field.  Dowd made a fine save from a lob by Morrissey but caught his knee a heavy crack on the upright in doing so.  He recovered, and from the corner Vernon smashed a shot at close range with Dowd on the ground, but the ball hit Leivers and bounded away.  Everton were almost playing shooting-in at times, but City’s ten men, defending galliantly, were packing their penalty area, and the sheer weight of numbers was keeping out all Everton’s attacks and shots. 
MORRISSEY DOES IT.
Morrissey was having a day out against Benson and from any one of his dangerous centres Dowd miraculously pushed the ball over the bar when it seemed that the curl on it had swept it over the line.  Morrissey deserved the ovation he got when he put Everton in the lead after 62 minutes.  Again he cut inside Benson and tried a shot from twenty yards which Lievers headed out straight back to him, Morrissey instantly volleyed the ball back with his right foot to find the net near the right upright.  From a free kick Gabriel’s header beat Dowd, but was kicked off the line by Benson straight to Vernon whose instant reply struck Lievers and bounced away to Kay who shot wide.  Then Morrissey hit another tremendous shot wide and the game had become shooting practice for Everton.  Stevens almost decapitated Lievers with a fierce volley and the City centre half had somehow got his body into the way of at least a dozen Everton shots. 
CITY’S FIRST MATCH
It was twenty minutes of the second half before City made their first attack since the interval.  They got a corner from it, but when it was cleared it was Everton back again trying to improve their goal average and they certainly had plenty of opportunity to do that.  A glorious pass from Alex Young to Scott saw the winger beat Lievers only for Dowd to come out almost to the edge of the area to intercept. 
DOWD IN GREAT FORM
From an indirect free kick from just outside the box Gabriel touched the ball a yard to Vernon and Dowd made one of his best saves from the shot which followed with Morrissey running in and hitting the ball into the side netting.  Dowd made yet another flying save from a shot by Kay and although he did not gather it he took the pace off the ball sufficiently to be able to recover.  The first time West had anything to do this half, he produced a wonderful save from a long drive by Oakes.  Final; Everton 2, Manchester City 1.  Official attendance 46,416. 

BLACKPOOL RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 23 March 1963
Blackpool;- Harvey; Thompson, Cuthbert; Turner, James, Cranston; Hill, Ball, Napier, Fisher, Oates.  Everton; Dunlop; Harcombe, Parnell; Harris, Heslop, Sharples; Shaw, Rees, Wignall, Temple, Veall.  Referee; Mr. R. Harding (Salford).  There were two goals in the first eleven minutes, both were given away by wide open defences.  No Everton player was in position as Fisher ran through to head into the far wall of the net with Dunlop near the other post, and completely unprotected.  In the 11th minutes Everton equalized when Rees was allowed to take a forward pass and unchallenged to score with an great rising shot from 20 yards.  Afterwards Everton were outplayed, but the defence steadied and not another shooting chance presented itself.  The Everton raids were limited to the double centre forward prong of Wignall and Rees, but it was seldom that the ball was put through to either of them with the defence nearly all the time in retreat.  In the 30th minute Cranston crossed a fast low centre which Fisher headed over the line with the Everton defence again at a standstill. 

EVERTON FOUND FORM AT IPSWICH
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 23 March 1963
By Alex Parker
Saturday’s Cup defeat at West Ham was a bitter disappointment to us, not only because we felt annoyed at losing a match we were quite capable of winning, but also because we let down the many fans who support us so loyally week after week.  Things would perhaps have been easier had we been able to return to the dressing rooms and say “The better team won,” but in all honesty, even though we played badly, I don’t think this was the case.  Even now, a week later, that penalty awarded to West Ham does not cease to astonish me.  We are told it was awarded because Dennis Stevens handled the ball, but from where I was standing it appeared to strike him on the chest and upper arm and then only because he was pushed into the ball by West Ham wing half, Bobby Moore.  When the whistle sounded, I prepared to take up position to receive the ball upfield from a free kick against Moore for pushing, it was certainly not a penalty, no matter how one looks at the incident.  West Ham would, of course, disagree with this, but I think that they in turn can count themselves fortunate not to concede a penalty or two, for there were two far more blatant offences committed by West Ham players in their own penalty area.  Jimmy Gabriel and myself were the players to suffer, for we both had occasion to think that instead of standing in the region of the West Ham goal we had been suddenly whisked away to Twickenham and somehow became involved in the Calcutta Cup Rugby Union match there. 
WE CRASHED
One of the main reasons we lost at West Ham was that in our over eagerness we tried to run the opposition off their feet, instead of playing the game coolly and accurately.  We stumbled and came down with a crash but if we have learned not to make the same mistake again, then this disaster could have done almost as much good as harm.  After Saturday’s disappointment, the visit to Ipswich on Tuesday evening in a League fixture provided just the tonic we needed.  Before this match our “Boss,” Mr. Catterick, told us that in recent matches there had been too much anxiety in our play.  We were, in fact, trying too hard.  Go out and enoy your football, he told us, and we did just that.  The result was what I considered to be our best football display away from home this season.  We won comfortably enough and with any luck might have doubled the score, but that penalty bogey stuck with us and when an Ipswich player committed the most blatant handling offence I have seen all season in his own penalty area, the whistle failed to sound.  There were other injustices, too, for both Jimmy Gabriel and George Thomson found their names going down quite undeservedly into the referee’s notebook.  George, who came into the side at left back because Mick Meagan was unfit, played a great game, settling down immediately to the faster pace of First Division football after his spell in the Central League side. 
CHANCES GOOD
Main thing about our win at Ipswich, however, was that it reminded Tottenham and Leicester that Everton are far from finished as far as this season’s League championship is concerned.  I think our chances of lifting the First Division title are still extremely good.  After today’s match, Leicester have 12 fixtures to play, but only three of these are at home.  They are favourites or the Cup, too, and here there is little need for me to stress how great the odds are against them winning both competitions.  Tottenham, who also have 12 fixtures to complete after today, are, in my view, our great rivals.  The White Hart Lane side appear to be playing extremely well now and their remaining fixtures are equally divided home and away.  Their away fixtures, however, I consider slightly more difficult than our own.  Add to his is the fact that Spurs are still in the European Cup Winners’ Cup competition.  Should they reach the final the strain of trying to become the first English club to win a major European competition may tell in their League matches.  They say League championships are often won and lost during the Easter fixtures and this could be particularly true this season.  Tottenham play Liverpool home and away and Fulham home during the holiday, while we meet Birmingham home and away and travel to Blackpool. 
FIXTURES LEFT
The Saturday after Easter, Spurs will be at Goodison Park in what seems bound to be a most vital match.  It looks like the survival of the fittest, and there can be few fitter teams than Everton.  So you can weigh up the chances of the main championship contenders here are the teams they have to meet before the end of the season.”
EVERTON. -  Home; Blackburn, Birmingham, Tottenham, Arsenal, Bolton, Fulham; Away; Sheffield United, Blackpool, Birmingham, West Ham, Arsenal, Aston Villa, West Brom, Liverpool. 
TOTTENHAM. -  Home; Bunrley, Fulham, Liverpool, Bolton, Leyton, Sheffield United;  Away; Sheffield Wednesday, Liverpool, Everton, Nottingham F, Manchester City, Blackburn.
LEICESTER. – Home; Man City, Man United, Wolves; Away; Blackpool, West Ham, Manchester U, Aston Villa, Sheffield U, Leyton Orient, West Brom, Bolton, Birmingham.
Last but not least, my congratulations to Liverpool on succeeding where we failed and reaching the F.A, Cup sixth round.  Our best wishes too, for their meeting with West Ham next week-end, for I am sure that even the truest Blue would rather see the Cup go to Anfield than anywhere else in the country – except Goodison Park. 

SHOOTING PRACTICE-AND IT’S NEEDED!
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, March 25, 1963
ENOUGH CHANCES FOR EVERTON TO WIN SIX GAMES
EVERTON 2, MANCHESTER CITY 1
By Horace Yates by their own efforts now, Everton can stream right on to take the League Championship, for the dropping of a point by their principal rivals, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, leaves the way to the top exposed and inviting.  For those who would point out that there remains an awkward looking fixture to fulfill at Anfield, it is only fair to add that this is an obstacle also facing Spurs.  What evidence is there to assume that Anfield will prove any more hospitable to Tottenham than to Everton?  The Cup for Liverpool and the League for Everton, would make this a season of seasons, with honour satisfied all round.  Frankly, I would feel far more confident of Everton’s ability to hold off all challenge if there was more finishing certainly to their attacks.  Praise Dowd for all you are worthy and you will run no risk of bestowing on City’s goalkeeper bouquets not justly earned and yet the mere fact that he was so often able to stand between Everton and goals is in itself a criminal indictment of the forward follies.  It was inexcusable that the home supporters were kept in suspense until half an hour from the close for the Everton forwards had been positively embarrassed by the frequency with which the road to goal was opened up.  Seldom can any side have enjoyed more shots at goal in a single game.  Truly, there were enough opportunities here to have decided half a dozen games in Everton’s favour, and yet the margin was a single goal, earned nearly twenty minutes after City had been reduced to ten men by an injury to Betts, which removed him from the game.
BRUISED ANKLE
Happily worst fears were not realized, for Betts escaped from his duel with Young, with nothing worse than a badly brushed right ankle.  Betts had succeeded in keeping the energetic thrust of Morrissey fairly well in check, but as seen as Benson took over the shadowing duties the Everton winger emerged as the most dangerous of the Everton attack.  Beating his man at will, he was a menace whenever in possession, and although Leivers headed out a shot from Morrissey the ball’s rebound promptly presented the winger with a second shooting chance.  This time, Morrissey shot hard and true to the bottom corner of goal (60 minutes) and one felt that no matter how remiss the Everton attack might be for the rest of the game, sufficient damage had been done to sink City’s hopes.  For twenty minutes of the second half it was almost as though the pitch ended at the half way line,  for City had scarcely set a foot in Everton territory and yet from one of their tip and run affairs, only a great save at full stretch by West prevented a long dropping shot from Oakes, from restoring equality.  A draw would have been a triumph for City’s ten – men courage, but it would have represented stark tragedy for Everton, who had made so much of the game appear like a practice session, with the accent on the testing of goalkeeper reactions.  Because City’s defensive reputation had gone before them, I believe most people were pleasantly surprised at the provision of an exhibition, full of attractive movement and skilful football. To their credit City, apart from the pardonable stratagem of using Wagstaffe as an extra brake on Scott operated with four forwards up, until the injury to Betts vindicated a tactical switch.  In any event Everton demonstrated that the answer to all-out defence is all-out attack, especially against a side not sufficiently gifted in speed to strike devastatingly on the rebound.   So beautifully did City take the opening goal through Wagstaff in 16 minutes that the thoughts of those who have dictated less courageous and attractive tactics for them in the past, must have been stimulated, for remember the goal was taken against the most successful defence in the country!  Despite his other responsibilities Wagstaffe was perfectly placed to run on to an intelligently placed pass from Dobing and his shot was a winner all the way.  “Now watch for the 2-5-3 monstrosity,” some foil said, but City proved them wrong.  They kept the game open and while they were nothing like the masters of their craft that Everton were a response by Alex Young in 23 minutes was all the home team could offer before Betts’ retirement. 
NO EXPLOSIVE CHARGE
What a picture goal was Young’s! It had its inception in just another throw-I, whose purpose for the most part is merely to bring the ball back into play, but this time there was genuine intent from the moment Gabriel put the ball at Vernon’s feet.  With what was probably the most accurate pass of the entire match, Vernon placed the ball superbly to the head of Young and the ball was in the net.  Those for whom the sight of Vernon lashing home one of his power drivers is still a favourite Goodison spectacle, may be dismayed at the lack of explosive charge these days, but his precisions passing and placing lost glitter only because the final tribute was denied them.  Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  Manchester City; Dowd; Betts, Kennedy; Benson, Leivers, Oakes, Young, Dobing, Harley, Gray, Wagstaff.  Referee; Mr. E.T. Jennings (Tourbridge).  Attendance 46,101. 

BLACKPOOL RES 2 EVERTON RES 2
Liverpool Daily Post –Monday, March 25, 1963
A goal ten minutes from time gave Everton a point which was scarcely deserved in this Central League match at Blackpool.  It was an indifferent display by the Goodison Park men against an immature Blackpool team.  For a long time the Everton defence was so wide open that only the tall and resolute Heslop have adequate protection to goalkeeper Dunlop.  Both the Blackpool goals were scored by inside left Fisher from unmarked positions.  Later the visiting defence steadied and ultimately full backs Harcombe and Parnell almost completely subdued Blackpool’s two wing forwards, Hill, the ex-Under 23 international  and Oates.  The Everton attempts were all based on the double centre forward plan.  In it Wignall seldom escaped centre half James, but Rees was a fast progressive forward always seeking shooting positions.  He scored both Everton’s goals, the first from 25 yards out. 

DOWD WAS ALL BUT UNBEATABLE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 25 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
One of the most extraordinary matches ever seen at Goodison Park. That, putting it mildly, is the most apt description of the contest in which Everton beat Manchester City by two goals to one on Saturday. Most of the action took part in the Manchester half of the field. The game resolved  itself—once Everton had wiped out the goal their opponents obtained midway through the first  half -  into an incessant battle between the Everton attack, supported full-bloodedly by wing  half-backs and even full-backs, and a City defence whose covering of each other, and particularly of  goalkeeper Dowd, was nothing short of heroic.  If it had been less, Everton would have won by 12 goals. That they didn't was due to Dowd's magnificent goalkeeping. The crowd gave him an affectionate ovation.  It should have been twice as vociferous. I never saw, at Goodison Park, a man position himself so well to accept a barrage of some 15 to 20 shots and headers. Some he could not hold at the first attempt: he was on the ball like lightning, several times at the feet of forward: to make saves at the second attempt.  He took some knocks, timed his outgoings from the line with excellent judgment and proved to me, at least, to be the legitimate successor to the brilliant Trautmann.  The crowd, loving every minute of Everton's superiority against a team who lost their left-back, Betts, with a suspected broken ankle midway through the first half, have rarely had such a Roman holiday of relentless, unceasing forward endeavor against a side often left reeling. But  it took the winners a long time to get their second goal and  to score only twice from no fewer than 30 good chances  proved that the Everton attack is not as punishing as it  must be if the club are going to overhaul Spurs and  Leicester.
MOST GRUELLING
 I confess that I did not go a bundle on the Everton performance, nor on the work of Mr. E. T. Jennings, of Stourbridge. He gave some decisions which seemed doubtful—which referee doesn't?—but, worse, he allowed, in a quiet way, many tackles which should not have been overlooked.  Manchester City dissented against some and I don't wonder.  For the depleted City defence, faced by wave after wave of Everton fury, this must have been the most grueling game of the season. In the end Dobing appeared to me to have lost interest in the game. It was left to a brave, but outnumbered defence, to confine the margin to a goal. Their defensive tactics after a more orthodox beginning had produced the lead for them were incomprehensible.  Even when they were 2-1 down with 10 minutes to go City seemed content to remain in their own penalty area.  The one-sidedness of the match once Betts left the field, damaged in a tackle made by the Everton centre-forward,  Young, had to be seen to be properly appreciated.  The only thing which saved the game and made it acceptable was the intensity and persistence of Everton's attack (never can five men have had so many acceptable passes slid to them) and the intensity and persistence of the defence which faced them.  No matter how hard Everton shot, or how unexpectedly.  Dowd got his hands or feet or body to the ball. He was  beaten earlier only when the defence appeared to stop  playing and allowed Young to head home Gabriel's long  pass from the left-half position and when Morrissey, having  had one shot headed out, picked the ball up on the rebound  and hammered it home in a way which gave the goalkeeper  little or no chance.  Wagstaffe. City's best , (perhaps their only) forward, had  jolted Everton and the crowd by giving his side the lead  with a cross shot West might well time reached.
THEIR EASIEST EVER… 
One could scarcely be critical of anyone in the Everton defence. They had the easiest game they will ever have.  Parker must have felt tired from the effort of taking the ball upfield time and again unopposed. Thomson, too, went forward in the sure knowledge that City could not do Everton damage while he was out of position. City fought for the ball only when it was in their own half. Everton did as they pleased on their own side of the line.  From such pressure as they exerted their bag of goals should have been not less than six. In that City might conceivably have snatched an equalizing goal at any time in the final 10 minutes the Everton attack failed. Morrissey, opposed in the second half only by Benson, had a field day.  Some of the others had anything but that. They missed all too many chances and furthered the thought that Everton cannot do really well unless their inside three take their chances more avidly.   Scott on the right wing ran fast with the ball at times, but showed no variation in pace or manoeuvre and so was not, on this evidence, as good as, much less better than, the man he replaced. Vernon seems to have lost his propensity for the big, well aimed shot: Young and Stevens between them let too many chances pass to be considered successes.  This victory must be taken with reservations in that City were short of a defender for more than half the journey. I think Everton's game at Highbury to-morrow and the away match at Sheffield United next Saturday will  indicate better than Saturday's result whether we can  expect them to maintain their challenge to the leaders or  whether, as so often before. Everton must be content with a place in the first half dozen.  That they have, in Kay and Gabriel, two of the most tenacious. hard-tackling wing half-backs in the game is beyond dispute, but whether they will always have a referee  as lenient towards them as Mr. Jennings is open to more  doubt.

EVERTON UNCHANGED AT HIGHBURY 
Liverpool Echo - Monday 25 March 1963
ARSENAL GAME TOMORROW
Everton are unchanged for their League game against Arsenal, at Highbury, to-morrow evening EVERTON.—West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey. 

EVERTON ADVANCE
Liverpool Daily Post- Tuesday, March 26, 1960
By Horace Yates
This evening, I expect to see an unchanged Everton make inroads into Tottenham’s three points advantage by winning convincingly against Arsenal at Highbury.  Victory may not hoist them immediately into second place, for Leicester City are also engaged at Sheffield United, but one feels that Leicester have reached the stage now at which the strain of Cup, and League ambitions may begin to tell.  Of Leicester’s twelve remaining games nine are away from home and if they can stay the pace with the leaders in face of a programme such as that then City are indeed a formidable side.  I have seen Arsenal in two of their last three games, both at Highbury, without regarding them as a side remotely in Everton’s class and the only real danger to the Goodison club repeating their 3-2 triumph of the last match of last season, would appear to rest with Everton themselves.  Unless they strike far more effectively from a super-abundance of opportunity than they did against Manchester City last Saturday, Everton will encourage Arsenal to keep fighting long after they should have been beaten.  It is doubtful if Everton can ever again be so remiss with their shooting.  They will find Arsenal ready and willing to try to engage them will positive attacking ideas and the open pattern of play can only be in Everton’s favour.  Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey. 

CHANCE FOR EVERTON TO GAIN LOST PRESTIGE
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 26 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
Everton work off one more of their back-log League matches with a game at Highbury this evening. It will be interesting to see how they fare, since it is less than a fortnight since Liverpool won 2-1 at Highbury. Two successive away games—Everton play at Sheffield United on Saturday—will indicate how severe Everton’s challenge to Spurs and Leicester is likely to be.  Everton are unchanged, giving a further chance to the side which had so many chances, but scored only twice, in the match against Manchester City.  Everton's fate in London this season, the Spurs match excepted, has not been happy. They will be looking to to-night's match to help them restore their London prestige.  That not all Evertonians are satisfied with the side is well known. The man who sums up the situation admirably for many old-established supporters of the club is Mr.  Kenneth Ferguson of York Avenue, Sefton Park. He makes these points “Despite colossal expenditure on players. Everton are not yet the great team they should be. Two of the main defects in their present set-up are, to my mind, lack of leadership on the field of play and lack of self-discipline by certain members of the side at crucial stages of a game, leading at times to incidents unworthy of a club with traditions of good sportsmanship.  “Now all famous teams have invariably had outstanding captains, men whose very presence on the field gave confidence to their colleagues. Also, such captains by their own play, when the tide was running against their side, could inspire their men to play above themselves—they could alter the tactics of their team to meet changing circumstances and endeavor generally to dictate operations.  “Above all, a skipper should set an example of faultless demeanour on the field, and by his strength of character, have a restraining influence on those of his side who may tend on occasion to kick over the traces.  Everton have not been fortunate in recent seasons to possess such outstanding personalities which I must admit are few and far between in present-day football.  “It is also unfortunate that several of the present Everton team are temperamental and cannot take in their stride the slings and arrows of misfortune in battle. The side needs more of the phlegmatic type of player who can keep cool in a crisis. When International stars are  purchased at fabulous prices, should not this aspect be  taken into serious consideration'  " Everton could well heed the advice given to his  team by a famous player on a notable occasion; I am referring to the captain of Manchester United in the 1948  Cup final, at Wembley, against Blackpool. At half-time, when Blackpool were leading United by two goals to one, he is quoted as saying to his men Keep on playing for ball;  they did and ran out winners by four goals to two in a  classic encounter.  "In my opinion, if Everton can Keep on playing football then, with their undoubted skill and talent, they should be League champions by the end of this season, and for some seasons ahead, too, they should provide for their followers a feast of cultured football, second to none in the country" 
LETTER
“I have received an account of the West Ham-Everton game from a friend, a Merseyside exile, who follows both our clubs on their London trips.  What he says is far too blistering to be published in your column.  My shame at his opinion of Everton’s performance defies description.  Mr. Moores put his finger on the spot when he said he admired Spur’s poise.  Are there, indeed, too many hot-heads in the Everton team?” – Gerard Jones, 21 Earlston Road, Wallasey. 

ARSENAL TEAM
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 26 March 1963
TO-NIGHT’S VITAL MATCH AGAINST EVERTON
For the League match against Everton at Highbury tonight, Arsenal will field the side which accounted for Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.  Everton who have not scored a goal in London this season, will move into second place in the First Division if they take two points from to-night’s match.  They would then be one point behind Spurs with a game in hand.  Arsenal; McClelland; Magill, McCullough; Barnwell, Brown, Snedden; Macleod, Strong, Baker, Eastham, Skirton. 

ARSENAL, TWICE BEHIND, HIT BACK TO WIN
Liverpool Daily Post- Wednesday, March 27, 1963
EVERTON DOWN IN HIGHBURY THRILLER
SCOTT UNABLE TO PLAY BECAUSE OF ‘FLU ATTACK
ARSENAL 4, EVERTON 3
This was the thriller of thrillers and if the season were to be extended not by three weeks but by three months, I doubt if we should see its superior.  There was tingling excitement from start to finish and such was the high standard of entertainment that time took wings and it seemed impossible to realize that 90 minutes had flown when the referee signaled time.  Even though the London blight continued to cast its shadow over Everton, there was much to commend in their performance and though it may be a grievous set-back to their hopes of overhauling Tottenham, whose supporters were present at Highbury last night in their thousands to take the unusual step of cheering their Arsenal rivals to the echo, all s not lost.  One of the Everton consolations was that while four previous London trips had proved goalless for them, this time they got three and still they were insufficient.  Arsenal were truly magnificent, twice they found themselves in arrears in the first half, but struck back to claim equality and then superiority.  Some of the play was breath-taking in its excellence for both teams flung the ball about brilliantly from wing to wing and to take four goals off the finest defence in the League indicates just how well this Arsenal attacks played. 
AMPLE MERIT
For once the Everton half-back line, which has held so many forwards on the tightest of tight reins found itself unable to cope with the brilliance of Eastham, Strong and Baker and while Thomson had a worrying evening against the non-stop MacLoad, there was still ample merit in his performance.  Everton’s misfortunes began early for they had to play without Alex Scott for when Bingham deputized Scott set out complaining of a slightly more threat and his conditions deteriorated throughout the journey so that on arrival at the team’s head-quarters he was put to bed and a doctor called.  An attack of influenza was diagnosed and he was ordered to remain in his room, Scott protested and appealed to be allowed at least to watch the game, but prudence dictated otherwise.  It is expected that he will be fit enough to return with the rest of the players to-day.  Possibly because of the criticisms made of Everton following the West Ham Cup-tie, the players were greeted with a storm of booing but boos changed to cheers as the Everton pattern of play unfolded in the opening minutes.  Accurate passing from man to man and ability to put the ball into the open spaces created havoc in Arsenal’s defensive ranks and in five minutes Everton had the inspiration of a great goal by Tony Kay, his first since joining the club. 
TOP SPEED
The movement began with a Gabriel throw-in and Bingham sent the ball down the line to Gabriel who had followed on at top speed.  To the corner flag he raced and crossed the ball in front of the defence to Kay, who, running in, crashed his shot into the top corner of the goal.  This was a great beginning, but Arsenal were on terms in eight minutes.  Bingham was penalized for a foul on Strong and from Barnwell’s free kick perfectly placed to the head of Strong, the inside forward headed the ball accurately beyond West.  These were two terrific goals and set the standard for what was to come.  Arsenal seemed likely to score again in fourteen minutes as MacLeod raced down the centre of the field and when five yards short of the penalty area was fouled by Gabriel from behind. A free kick was a very light penalty for Everton to have to pay.  If there was an element of good fortune in Everton’s second goal when a clearance by Snedden rebounded from Barnwell, full credit to be given to the watchful Vernon.  He darted on the opportunity and with a characteristic shot, gave McClelland no hope of saving.  The Everton forwards were shooting on sight as if in answer to the pointed criticisms made of their finishing shortcoming against Manchester City.  It was good to see them, so intent on snatching goals, and inside half-an-hour the entire forward line had contributed goal worthy shots.  Still Everton were unable to subdue a lively Arsenal who continued to place their reliance on the highest class of open football. 
CROWD’S ENTHUSIASM
The crowd, who scarcely stopped cheering for a moment, found opportunity to give full play to their enthusiasm in 35 minutes when baker placed Arsenal on terms.  Brown converted defence into attack by taking the ball up the middle and pushing it out to Skirton, who crossed it meticulously for Baker to shoot into goal.  It appeared that West’s difficulties were increased by a deflection from one of his own defenders.  That was the score at half-time and anyone who made a late re-appearance after the interval missed another magnificent Arsenal goal.  In 46 minutes MacLeod had put them ahead for the first time in the game.  Skirton took the ball to the line and even though he was a shade lucky to be able to collect a rebound he shot across goal, clearing the defence and in came MacLoad racing up like an express train to tap the ball into the net with West at the other side of his goal.  The ripple of excitement among the crowd had not subsided before Baker was through and his shot hit a post and came back into play.  More and more Arsenal came into the picture, but Everton refused to be penned down for long and Young earned the greatest possible credit for his work in placing Everton on terms in the 70th minute.  The centre-forward tackled Brown and with a shoulder charge took him off the ball.  Young had it under control in a flash and as he advanced McCelland came out of goal.  With cool deliberation, Young lofted the ball over the goalkeeper’s head and the referee was adamant in refusing Arsenal appears for Young to be penalized.  Everton’s celebration were short circuited within seconds.  Arsenal forced a corner and with West missing the ball from MacLeod, Strong headed on to Skirton whose shot tore into the back of the net.  Everton never gave up and when Bingham found Morrissey on the inside, the outside-left hooked the ball no more than inches over the bar, while Gabriel, up for a corner kick, headed a yard outside.  Arsenal; McClelland; MaGill, McCullough; Barnwell, Brown, Snedden, MacLeod, Strong, Baker, Eastham, Skirton.  Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  Referee; Mr. P.G. Brandwood (Wolverhampton).  Attendance 38,061. 

ARSENAL WIN THRILLER – AND HELP TOTTENHAM
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 27 March 1963
By Horace Yates
“We will play much worse than we did to-night and win.  It was a wonderful game, a thrill from start to finish but I feel that a draw would have been the ideal result.”  That was the view expressed last night by Manager Catterick after Everton’s 4-3 reverse against Arsenal, at Highbury.  What is more it is not difficult to accept that assessment as a very fair summary of as fine a game of football as I am likely to see this season.  To have matched Arsenal almost move for move throughout a tingling 90 minutes of quality exhibition play may be of some consolation to the purists but, unfortunately, from Everton’s point of view, it avails them nothing in their titanic battle with Tottenham, and to a lesser extent Leicester City, for the League championship.  Now three points behind Spurs with only one match in hand, Everton have to pull out something special in the tough games to the end of the season.  If this game achieved nothing else, I would say Everton’s display helped them tremendously in their efforts to restore their reputation after the unfortunate events which marked their last visit to London, at West in the Cup-tie. 
LONDON BOGEY
The London bogey still remains to be broken down, for Everton have now played five games in the capital this season without once finishing on the winning side.  When Tony Kay gave them the lead in five minutes from a superb Gabriel- Bingham approach, it was not only Kay’s first goal for the club but it was the first time Everton had scored in London.  The concession of four goals by a club with the best defensive record in the First Division requires some explaining and Arsenal are entitled to great credit for their enterprising and attractive combination which made this match a joy to watch.  How came the defence be laid bare so often when to other clubs it has presented an iron curtain of resistance? In seeking the answer it is not easy to exonerate Gordon West from a share of responsibility for he could hardly be acquitted of shortcomings when two of the goals were scored, which is a pity for West had lived down some earlier season uncertainty and had settled to become a very much more convincing goalkeeper.  He was not the only sinner, however, for the wing halves, despite their undoubted contribution to attack and selfless dedication, must share some of the responsibility.  Whether or not it was because they realized the danger lurking in the raids of wingers, Macleod and Skirton I do not know, but at times they were lying so far back that glaring gaps were left in midfield.  It was from positions such as this that Eastham was allowed to become the architect of victory.  He was undoubtedly one of the game’s star performers and playing for the most part at inside right with a No. 10 jersey on his back, Eastham showed that he realized that in Macleod Arsenal had a raider of outstanding merit.  All credit to Thomson for the gallant way he sought to subdue him, but these days the rampant Scottish winger is a match and more for almost any back.  Not only does he take the ball towards his opponent’s goal at a rare speed but he packs a scoring punch as well and his centres are generally models of accuracy.  Skirton was far better than in the two previous games I had seen him play recently and I felt that the Everton backs would have fared better to have staked all on first-time tackling instead of giving the wingers room to develop their aims.  I would not have thought it possible for the Arsenal I had known previously to score four goals against Everton, yet they did, and also hit the post on two other occasions which showed finishing power of the highest order. 
CRITICS ANSWERED
With half an hour gone Everton were not only 2-1 in the lead but seemingly heading for victory for the forwards answered the criticisms made of them last Saturday of lack of finishing power by presenting a much more impressive appearance.  Every man in the line at one time or another had shown commendable scoring designs.  Two of the shots went home and others were near enough to do them credit.  Kay showed them the way in five minutes when he scored a pictured goal from Gabriel’s centre.  Even after Strong had put Arsenal on terms in eight minutes when faulty covering and lack of appreciation of possibilities by West left the way open, Everton’s play was so much in the groove that further reward seemed inevitable.  Vernon put them ahead again in 28 minutes with the type of shot which used to delight Goodison fans but the like of which has not often been seen recently.  There were no serious worries even when Baker made the score 2-2 in 35 minutes although Arsenal’s contribution to a magnificent game was noteworthy, but the event which really rocked the boat came straight from the resumption when Macleod hammered home a goal from Skirton’s cross. 
FULL MARKS
This really was a shattering blow and yet Everton refused to be daunted and Alex Young earned full marks from me for the commendable way in which he shoulder charged the much heftier Brown off the ball to score Everton’s third in 68 minutes.  At least, I thought, Everton could hold this position, but no sooner was the thought formed than it was shattered.  Believing in the theory that the time to strike back most effectively is immediately following an opponent’s score.  Arsenal swung into attack and in less than a minute Skirton scored the fourth after West had completely mishandled Macload’s corner kick.  The ebb and flow continued to the end, which came with Morrissey failing only by inches to notch the eighth goal of the match and Gabriel heading narrowly wide.  Everton lost nothing but points from this reverse, for their reputation in London must have been enhanced appreciably. 
SCOTT ILL
It was an unlucky day for Alex Scott, who was unable to play because of an attack of flu which confined him to bed from the moment of his arrival in London.  Bingham was his deputy.  Making a special journey to assess Scott’s worthiness to be included in Scotland’s team at Wembley next month was Scotland team manager Ian McColl, and it would appear that any reasonable sort of show from Scott might have been sufficient to clinch his place. 

THE CASE FOR A LIVERTON STADIUM
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 27 March 1963
By Leslie Edwards
The face lift Liverpool is to be given municipally  makes even more topical further discussion  of the plan, proposed by a reader, to have a city  stadium capable of housing 100,000 wet or fine as  the headquarters of our senior football clubs. Mr. John Moores, the Everton Chairman, thought football could not find the money necessary to promote such an expensive scheme. Now from L.D, of Calderstones (an expert, I have discovered, in property) comes confirmation of an opinion that the project would be both practicable and economic. He says 
“I was intrigued by your column reference to a scheme for a proposed new football stadium near the city centre.  So intrigued that I anticipated you would have a long series of follow-up references and an overflowing postbox. To my surprise I have not noticed anything in your column since  —or have I. perhaps, missed something?  “To my mind the suggestion is so full of possibilities I don't think it should be dismissed or pigeon-holed without exploring every prospect of bringing the scheme to fruition.  I have the greatest respect for Mr. Moores, but wonder whether he has perhaps given too casual approach to the suggestion before dismissing it on the ground of expense.  “I look at the situation in the following light; 1. Liverpool is the leading football centre in the  country so far as consistent support of its teams is concerned.  “Even in bad weather our teams are rarely supported at home by less than 30,000 spectators: at the best, for Derby games, cup-ties and matches against League leaders, neither of our local grounds are big enough to hold all who wish to watch: a ground holding over 100,000, all under cover and with a good proportion of seats, could in my view result in an average gate of 45,000-50,000 in all weathers. More opposition supporters would gladly make the journey if sure of admission and comfort. 
     “3. Football is an asset to the city from its aspects of prestige, morale and employment, direct and indirect every spectator from out-of-town spends money here in one way and another.  "
  “4. A ground with a huge car park and bus station close to town would in itself lead to bigger crowds from the fact that it would result in much easier access, remembering particularly that most matches are played outside the peak travelling hours.
LINKED BY RAIL
“5. I envisage a ground built in the south-end of the city, but reasonably close to town with, as already suggested by you, a huge car park adjoining (and possibly an underground car park).  It could be linked to all city railway  stations by a mono-rail or underground system, with the  double advantage of facilitating access by spectators and  filling the very great need for a car park convenient and big  enough to serve the city.  One by one the existing car parks are being swallowed up by development schemes. The business man will be able to park his car and still get to his office within five minutes, at low cost. This, to my mind, is one of the greatest advantages of the scheme and one which should appeal to the city fathers in general and Mr. Shankland in particular.  Let us remember that most matches are played outside business hours, so that there would be little or no overlapping 
"6 On the question of expense, I agree it would be a very expensive matter, but taking paragraph five into account, as well as other advantages which I will come to,  I feel this is a scheme which requires and should receive  the blessing and active co-operation of the city in making  the land available at an economic basis. 
  “7. You envisage that the scheme could include shops, restaurants, and other facilities, such as an athletic track.  I suggest it could include a bowling alley, club rooms, and a dog racing track, all of which would provide income which could result in spreading the expense and making the rent of our football clubs more reasonable. From the city's point of view (in amplification of paragraph six) Goodison and Anfield could then be made available for other purposes:  e.g.. housing, or for the long-needed alternative site for a  wholesale fruit market—so could, for instance, Stanley dog  track, which would, in any event, probably be the best site  for a market. 
    “8. Any minor difficulties, I am sure, I am sure, could be overcome in view of the other overwhelming advantages.  "To sum up, this scheme is, as you say, novel, revolutionary, and intriguing, but I suggest it is by no means impossible, given careful consideration, planning and co-operation from all the affected or interested parties, particularly the city itself.

£550 ART AWARD WINNER
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 27 March 1963
Miss Valerie Allam, of 18, Globe Street, Liverpool, photographed yesterday after being told that she had won a travelling scholarship worth £550 for the winning entry in a competition in graphic design open to students of the Liverpool College, of Art.  The prize is awarded annually by Mr. John Moores (right).  Also in the picture is Mr. J. W. Norman, Principal of the College.  Miss Allam, aged 21, will now realise an ambition to tour the Continent and learn more about the subject she has chosen for her career - design typography.  She is a former pupil of Blackburne House High School for Girls and won the prize with a display of general typography. 

CUP FINAL REFEREE ?
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 28 March 1963
Leslie Edwards Notes
Favourite to referee the F.A Cup final this season is 44-year-old Bill Clements of West Bromwich, who will be in charge of Saturday’s Liverpool-West Ham United tie.  One of the leading officials in this country, Clements caused a stir earlier this season when he passed the Barnsley ground fit for play for the Cup tie against Everton.  His way of deciding if play was possible was to fall on his back, on his stomach and turn a somersault.  He explained; “I always do this sort of thing when I inspect a ground during suspect weather.  It is only fair to the players.”  There were no complaints from either side – but Clements was not too pleased with the outcome.  The match was one of the best he has controlled this season, but in testing the ground he injured his ankle and as the game progressed the trouble became worse.  So much so, that he was unable to report for work the following morning. 

ROY VERNON SAYS…
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, March 29, 1963
THAT HIGHBURY REVERSE WAS A STUNNER
So the Everton supporters were disappointed at our failure to collect a point of points from our visit to Highbury last Tuesday!  If it is any consolation I can tell them that the players were nearly heartbroken.  To think we could score three goals in London, where we had failed to find the net all season and still be beaten was a stunning blow.  Without wishing to be churlish to Arsenal, I maintain the rub of the green was against us and that a draw would have been a fair verdict.  Even Danny Blanchflower, skipper of Spurs and as entitled to be delighted at the result as much as anyone, bar possibly the jubilant Billy Wright, the Arsenal manager, conceded that Everton were worthy of a draw.  We aim to keep our home record inviolate to the end of the season, but at the same time we realize that may not be sufficient in itself to give us the championship.  A draw here and a win there away from home will probably do the trick, but it is no easy task winning the title.  In the Cup you win a match and sail through to the next round and from start to finish there are only six hurdles to be surmounted but the League is a seemingly endless battle.
THREE IN A ROW
No sooner is one mission successfully accomplished than up comes another and because of the postponement of so many games because of the freeze-up these trails of strength are coming thick and fast about us.  Look, for example, at the position at present.  In addition to playing at Arsenal on Tuesday we are at Sheffield United tomorrow and on Monday to Villa Park.  Three tough fixtures in a week- and ALL AWAY FROM HOME.  But have no fear, if determination and spirit can pull off the championship for us, we will be there.  I have nothing against London clubs as such, except for the fact that we have been unable to beat them so far away from home, but if ever a Super League comes about I can only hope there will be no London teams in it.  What a hope!  We are not finished yet, for we have still to go to West ham United-and you can all guess what this match means to us, especially as it is to late in the season that it could have a vital bearing on the first place.  Not only do we want to avenge our Cup defeat and show the Hammers some of our quality football, but I can hardly think of anything between now and the end of the season that would give us greater satisfaction than to jump to the top of the table by winning at Upton Park (and I have not forgotten the Anfield game).  It is the simple things that decide matches vital matches at that and I reckon we have had our share of seeing these little things go against us.  There must be a turn of the tide and once again it could be a case of he who laughs last laughs best! 
GOOD LUCK LIVERPOOL
I am not going soft in my old age, but I would like to offer on behalf of the Everton players our sincere good wishes to Liverpool in the Cup competition.  Obviously I could hardly say that while Everton were still hopeful of winning the trophy but now that we are out, there is only one Cup club for us-Liverpool.  I think they can do it, and I would not like to let this opportunity pass without offering congratulations to Jimmy Melia, Gerry Byrne, and Gordon Milne on their recognition by England.  Melia has had a wonderful season and I don’t think there is anyone who will say that the honour has come out of turn and the inclusion of three Liverpool players in the England party against Scotland is a magnificent acknowledgement of the progress made by our Anfield counterparts in this momentous season.  I am reminded that I have scored from nine penalty kicks.  Penalty-takers, I am told should be able to convert nine out of ten, I hope to be able to go one better than that but it is a dreadful thought that if it were to be proved correct at Anfield of all places, I would never be forgiven! As an insurance policy I am practicing taking these kicks daily.  I usually have three or four shots and in practice the old foot is still working well, although Gordon West now claims to know where the ball is going.  So long as it continues to be the back of the net, why should I worry! 

LESLIE EDWARDS NOTES
Liverpool Echo - Friday 29 March 1963
Everton at Sheffield United, have virtually their final chance to maintain pressure on the two clubs heading them in the table.  Tottenham’s long unbeaten run, extended this week against Leyton, suggests that they are going to allow their rivals few opportunities to close the gap.  The two games against Liverpool over the Easter holidays may change the situation, but if Liverpool are occupied in the Cup Spurs’ chances of being surprised are so much less. 

EVERTON MAKE ONE CHANGE
Liverpool Echo - Friday 29 March 1963
SCOTT BACK AT SHEFFIELD
BIINGHAM OUT
By Leslie Edwards
Alex Scott, the Everton right winger who missed the match at Arsenal on Tuesday owing to a temperature, is now fit and will play against Sheffield United, in Sheffield, tomorrow.  Scott for Bingham is the only change in the team beaten 4-3 at Highbury, Thomson thus retains the left-back position, Meagan still being unfit.  Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  Sheffield United inside right Keith Kettleborough, who has been suffering from thigh trouble, failed a fitness test this morning.  The team will be the same as that which beat Birmingham City last week and drew with Leicester City in mid-week.  Sheffield United; - Hodgkinson; Coldwell, Shaw (G.); Richardson, Shaw (J.), Summers; Allchurch, Wagstaff, Pace, Hodgson, Hartle. 

LATE BID BY LISTLESS BLUES FAILS TO SAVE GAME
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 30 March 1963
SHEFFIELD UNITED 2, EVERTON 1
By Michael Charters
Sheffield United; Hodgkinson; Coldwell, Shaw (G.); Richardson, Shaw (J.), Summers; Allchurch, Wagstaffe, Pace, Hodgson, Hartle.  Everton; West; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Kay; Scott, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Morrissey.  Referee; Mr. G.W. Grundy (Grimsby).  There was a fine drizzle when the players came out and the pitch, practically devoid of grass, looked rather heavy.  Everton’s first shot came from Kay and the Scot brought the ball in and passed inside.  Kay took the chance first time but shot wide.  Another good pass from Young found Vernon who cut inside Summers but tried a shot from 20 yards instead of moving on a little and Hodgkinson was able to save easily.  A brilliant United move involving Richardson Pace and Allchurch saw Everton’s defence in a tangle with West drawn out of the goal but, when Allchurch centred, it was Parker who stepped in to clear.  A long centre from Hodgson deceived West who was lucky to see the ball strike the crossbar and bounce away to safely.  United were the better team at this stage and the first Everton threat for some time came from a long range shot by Stevens which was well over the top.  West dropped the ball from a long free kick from Coldwell and Labone was happy to bank it away for a corner.  United still maintained the upper hand and Everton’s forwards had not troubled Hodgkinson up to this point.  The Everton forwards could not get into the game at all but one had to appreciate the excellent positional play of Joe Shaw who frequently broke up Everton attacks before they had really got started.  The United offside trap was another reason why Everton could make so little headway, and now the game had become rather dull after its exciting start.  A mistake by Thomson, who was finding Allchurch a very difficult man to control, let in Hodgson, who took the ball on 20 yards and then shot neatly at West. 
FINE SAVES BY WEST
West was able to make a comfortable save from a header by pace and the game had become so centred in midfield now that the goal incidents were rare indeed.  West did, however, make a splendid save after he had come out of goal to block a centre by Hodgson, the ball rebounding to Pace, who cleverly chipped it towards the empty net.  But West recovered and somehow managed to punch the ball over the bar with Wagstaff coming in at the last second.  Everton’s defence was playing very soundly with the half backs particularly good.  United moved the ball about so well at times, with their own wing halves linking up with the attack, that it needed some first-class tackling b Everton to keep them out.  Everton at last produced a good move with the ball coming from Thomson, deep in defence, initially.  When Morrissey got it he made ground and centred well, but Joe Shaw, who headed the ball down coolly, then completed the clearance.  This had been a first half in which defences in the main had been in control, Everton’s defence had been the busier, but West had only once or twice been in real difficulty.  Half-time; Sheffield U nil, Everton nil.  Immediately on the resumption Vernon broke away down the middle but when the ball was switched to the wings Graham Shaw cleverly dispossessed Scott.  United broke away with Hodgson getting across his centre despite the close attentions of Gabriel, then the ball came out to Allchurch, who shot straight as West.  Joe Shaw, who had played superbly made his first mistake when Vernon dispossessed him and took the ball on to try an angled shot which Graham Shaw turned away for a corner.  From this, Vernon got the ball across to Scott whose shot, from 18 yards, flew over the angle of crossbar and upright.  Graham Shaw cleverly intercepted Scott’s pass and took the ball up to Everton’s penalty area before slipping it to Hodgson, who once more shot directly at West.  United’s poor finishing was disappointing the crowd.  They made many more openings than Everton, but their shooting was very poor. 
TOO-LEISURELY PASS
The Everton forwards had not been able to improve so for.  But Vernon was quick to see an opening from a too-leisurely back pass, and he nearly nippind-in to take the ball from Hodgkinson, but the goalkeeper recovered in time.  Joe Shaw’s reading of the play could not have been bettered.  He was the outstanding player of the day.  West produced a brilliant save from a good header by Pace, diving full length to stop the ball only a yard from the line and then recovering to complete the save as Pace moved in.  Thomson was guilty of a bad foul on Hodgson with Everton’s defence pulled completely out of position.  The free kick was easily cleared by Labone.  United eventually scored the goal their forward superiority had earned in 71 minutes, through Allchurch.  Summers banged the ball high into the air, with West coming out to punch it and seeming to mistime it.  The ball dropped ten yards out from the goal and Allchurch, in the inside left position, tried a shot which seemed to hit an Everton defender and enter the net just inside the upright.  Everton fought back hard, and Hodgkinson had to make his first real save of the game when he came out to save put through by a perfect pass from Kay.  United went further ahead with a fine individual goal by Hodgson after 80 minutes.  He was put through by Summers and took the ball on to swerve brilliantly past Parker and hit a low shot under West’s body as the goalkeeper came out.  There is no doubt that United deserved this lead.  Well as Everton’s defence had played, it was their forwards who were so sadly at fault.  Three minutes from the end, Everton got a goal back through Scott.  It came from a right wing corner with Scott himself touching the ball to Parker, and he was back in the middle when Stevens pushed Parker’s cross back to him.  From twelve yards Scott beat Hodgkinson easily.  Final; Sheffield United 2, Everton 1. 

SCOTLAND TO WIN THE WEMBLEY ‘OPENER’
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 30 March 1963
By Alex Young
What one might term the "Wembley Season" opens next Saturday with the match between England and Scotland, which will decide the home international championship. My tip is that Scotland will win, but I expect the game to be a very close one.  No matter how much they are struggling.  England are always a difficult side to beat at Wembley, but I base my forecast of a Scottish win on the fact that while England have been chopping and changing their side. Scotland have found a far more settled eleven.  This certainly gives them some advantage.  With Jimmy Melia and Gerry Byrne in the England side, and Gordon Milne as travelling reserve. Liverpool players and supporters must be feeling on top of the world at the moment.  Both Jimmy and Gerry have the congratulations of the Everton “camp “on the honours they have gained.  The same goes. Almost without saying, to Ian St John, who will again lead the Scottish attack. It is little disappointing to us at Goodison, however, that Jimmy Gabriel, Brian  Labone, Tony Kay and  Alex Scott will not be  appearing at Wembley  next Saturday.  The decision to drop Brian seems particularly hard, for from what I saw of the film of the France v. England match on television, his share of the blame of that 5-2 defeat was very minor compared with some of his colleagues.  Brian will no doubt soon be back on the international scene, and I might add that although it is Liverpool who are stealing the limelight at the moment, it won’t be very long before the pendulum of good fortune swings towards Goodison Park. 
GREAT GOAL
Arsenal on Tuesday evening, Tony Kay got his first goal fur Everton - and what a beauty it was, too.  Jimmy Gabriel took the ball down the right wing and pulled it back for Tony, who scored with a great shot from 18 yards, the ball flying into the top corner of the net.  Our visit to Highbury produced a really tremendous game, and the only unsatisfactory thing about it from an Everton point of view was that we lost by 4-3.  When I was with Hearts we regarded Arsenal as a  force to be reckoned with in  English football, and I must  confess to being a little  disappointed with the Highbury  team on previous  occasions I have played  against them for Everton.   This week, however, the Londoners were in top gear, and I might add that Arsenal fans who spoke to us after the game were of the opinion that their team had played very much better against us than they had against Liverpool.  George Eastham.  Thought, played a great game - not an absolute world beater, but one which contained several pieces of football which were a real mark of genius.  Two very disappointed men in London on Tuesday evening must have been our outside right. Alex Scott, and Mr. Ian McColl, the Scotland team manager, who had made the long journey South just to watch Alex play.  As soon a, we arrived in London, Alex, who was later found to have gastric ‘flu, retired to his hotel room and stayed there until we returned home on Wednesday.  Alex seems to be having more than his fair share of bad luck just now, for had he been able to play on Tuesday the indications were that he may have clinched a place in the Scotland team.  So for Alex it was an early night, but for Mr. McColl there was the consolation of watching a highly entertaining match at Highbury.  Arsenal did Spurs a good turn by sending us home pointless, but the championship race is not over yet by a long way.  Tottenham, I admit, are a more mature side than us at the moment, but, although it may not have been reflected on paper in the results, my feelings are that Everton as a team are improving with every match. 
DOWD TRIUMPH
All praise to Manchester City for their gallant fight when reduced to 10 men at Goodison Park last Saturday but the fact that they contained the score to 2-1 in our favour was surely a triumph for goalkeeper Harry Dowd and not City’s much publicized defensive plan.  Dowd made many brilliant saves, but I think we forwards must nevertheless accept some blame for not beating him more often.  City opened playing an orthodox type of game, but fell back on the defensive after full back Barrie Betts had been injured and left the field.  This City defensive set-up could not stop Burnley scoring five times earlier this week, and I wonder if this 2-5-3 plan is really necessary now.  New Scottish signing Matt Gray played quite well at Goodison and has certainly added thrust to the attack, and with centre forward Alex Harley getting his name on the scoring sheet quite regularly, I think City might fare better if they “came out into the open,”: Looking ahead, we have a tough assignment on Monday night when we travel to Birmingham to meet Aston Villa.  The Midlands side are a hard nut to crack on their own ground, but my recollection is that we usually do well against Joe Mercer’s side. 

EVERTON RES V. MAN CITY RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 30 March 1963
Everton Res; Dunlop; Harcombe, Parnell; Jarvis, Heslop, Sharples; Bingham, Rees, Wignall, Hurst, Veall.  Manchester City Res; Fleet; Plenderleith, Wood; Hodgkinson, Batty, Chadwick; Young, Hayes, Almson, Cunliffe, Pardoe.  Referee; Mr. A.S. Allatt (Birmingham) Making his debut in the senior reserve side was ex-Liverpool schoolboy Harcombe at right full back for Everton.  Both he and centre held Heslop combined well to nullify early Manchester City attacks which came from their left wing pair Pardoe and Cunliffe.  Both sides were slow in the early stages, but gradually Everton began to get on top with Billy Bingham dangerous with his accurate centres.  It was from one of these, which developed into a goalmouth scramble and Wignall deservedly put Everton into the lead at the 25th minute.  Everton were now well on top and in the next 10 minutes got two more goals, both scored by Hurst.  Both goals were similar in type, a drive from Rees which goalkeeper Fleet could not hold and the ball rebounded out to the inside man who made no mistake.  Half-time; Everton Res 3, Manchester City Res nil.