AROUND THE WORLD IN 37 DAYS
Liverpool Echo % Evening Express- Monday, June 1, 1964
By Michael Charters
The Everton party are due back at Liverpool Airport, Speke, this evening to complete their round-the-world flight which they started five weeks ago. They flew out via the Middle East, India, the Far East and then to Australia, returning across the Pacific to Vancouver, then taking the North Pole route to Prestwick, and on to Speke. Their football successes have been as comprehensive as their travelling, for they won all their eight-match programme to the tune of 50 goals for and only seven against.  The full results were: 4-1, New South Wales; 5-0,  Queensland; 8-2 Australia; 3-0 South Australia; 5.1  Australia: 14-1, Western Australia; 3-1, Victoria;  8-I, Northern New South Wales, And these  victories were achieved without a recognised centre forward in the party, with Fred Pickering on the England tour and Alex Young languishing at home. Jimmy Gabriel, Derek Temple and Barry Rees have all held the No. 9 spot in various games.  Although the poor quality of the opposition must be taken into consideration, there is no doubt from letters received at this office from former Merseyside football followers now in Australia that Everton were impressive in all their games.  Attendances at their matches were the highest ever for any touring side over there, and the Australian Football Federation has made a handsome profit Everton's displays have helped to encourage the growth of the game in Australia and, for that reason alone their, tour has been one of the most successful the club has ever had.  It is appropriate, talking about Everton, to look back to a remarkable statement by that remarkable man. Helenio Herrera, the coach of Inter-Milan, who won the European Cup last week. Before his team played Everton in the preliminary round of the competition last September.  Herrera said that if Inter could beat Everton, they would win the Cup. Seven months after saying that, hisprediction was proved true, and in the light of Inter's triumph, it makes Everton's performance in only losing 1-0 in Milan with a weakened team all the more meritorious. 
Forward line problems 
Looking ahead now, Everton supporter A. F. Coleman, of Cinnamon Road, Fearnhead, near Warrington, has had some thoughts on his team's forward line. 
He writes: "Bags of goals in Australia sound nice enough but how many will they score next season? It is reasonable to suppose that it will be more than last because of one major factor in Pickering's scoring ability. This supposition depends on the ability of the team to provide the sort of chances to Pickering and Vernon that Douglas and company provided to Pickering and McEvoy at Blackburn.  "The problem position in the line is at inside right where Dennis Stevens' utility role was well suited to the championship strategy the season before last. With the arrival of Pickering a new role is needed to be played at No. 8. In my view, there are three candidates in Stevens, Alex Young and Jimmy Gabriel and my choice would be Gabriel, with Stevens at wing half and Young at outside right.  “The majority of Everton supporters tend towards a return of Young to inside right, but the team needs the big-hearted Stevens somewhere, particularly away from home." 

EVERTON INVITE OFFERS FOR PLAYERS 
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Monday 1 June, 1964
MORRISSEY IS INCLUDED
TWO WINGERS
Everton have circularised all League clubs that they are prepared to consider offers for three of their retained players— John Morrissey Ray Veall and George Sharpies.  When the club's retained list was published after the end of last season it was stated then that they would consider offers for some players without naming them.  Morrissey, former Liverpool schoolboy star, who came to Goodison Park from Anfield, has been one of the successes on Everton's Australian tour.  Veall, like Morrissey an outside left, was the first player that manager Harry Catterick bought when he took over at Everton three years ago. Everton paid some £10,000 to Doncaster Rovers for him.  Sharpies, from Ellesmere Port, is a wing half who had a brilliant schoolboy career, playing for England boys and subsequently the England Youth side.   Mr. Catterick has now received a letter from transfer listed centre forward Alex Young asking to come off the list, Young’s request will be considered by the Board at their next meeting, which may not take place for another four weeks or so. 

GREAT SPORTING AMBASSADORS
Liverpool Daily Post- Tuesday, June 2, 1964
COME AGAIN NEXT YEAR, SAY AUSSIES TO EVERTON
By Horace Yates
Everton are the greatest sporting ambassadors ever to visit Australia! That was the tribute paid by Australian soccer officials as the Everton party left for home on Saturday.  When they arrived at Speke last night, in pouring rain, almost the first they had seen since leaving home, Mr. Fred Micklesfield, in charge of the tourists with fellow director Mr. Cyril Balmforth, revealed that a pressing invitation has been received to pay a return trip next year.  Going out to a barrage of unfavourable publicity Everton not only lived it down very quickly, but supplanted behaviour of the boys both on and off the field was impeccable,” said Mr. Macclesfield.  “They were a credit to Everton and English football.  We can justly be proud of them.”  Judging by their fans some had obviously been soaking up the sun more than others, with Brian Harris probably the best advertisement for Australian sunshine.  Chief coach Tom Eggleston regretted only one thing- that they could not have brought back the Australian climate with them.  “It is supposed to be their winter,” he said, “but it was glorious.  Not too hot, but very pleasant so much so that bathing was irresistible.  “I have travelled the world on football trips, but this was easily the best tour of my life.  Of course, it makes a wonderful difference when everybody speaks the same language.  They are nothing like World Cup standard as players must be slow.  So many of the players there are shape who have never made the first-class grade or are over the hill, but with such enthusiasm and backing as they have, I would say soccer has a future.  Everybody received a hero’s welcome at Speke but their arrival at London Airport was rather different, for several of the players had cigarettes confiscated.  They received no sympathy from ono-smoking Mr. Micklesfield.  “They cannot blame the custom men.  They were simply doing their job.  Our boys brought back rather a lot of souvenirs,” he said.  The playing side of the trip could not have been more successful.  All eight games were won, fifty goals being scored against seven.   There were record attendances at every match except the last -at Newcastle.  Even that attracted an good crowd 13,000 with an afternoon kick off.  Just how seriously the Australians took the visit can be gauged by the fact that for the match at Newcastle all industry stopped in the afternoon to permit everybody to see the game.
“NO COMMENT”
Possibly the most disappointing member of the team at Speke was Johnny Morrissey when by learning that only a few hours before his arrival an announcement had been made that Everton were willing to consider offers for him, as well as Ray Veall and has Morrissey had played in Australia.  “He took part in all the games except one and did really well,” said Tom.  “I shall include that when I give my full report of the tour to our manager, Mr. Catterick.  “Brian Harris and Sandy Brown played in every match.  I don’t think I could have kept them off the field if I had tried,” he said.  Skipper Roy Vernon’s view was that no tour to any part of the world could have been more successful or more enjoyable.  “There was only one disappointing moment,” he said “That was the accommodation provided for us at Perth.  It was British Week there, however, and there was just nothing anybody could do about it.  Elsewhere the arrangements were wonderful.  We cannot thank those likeable Aussies enough.  What a grand bunch!  “The telephones at our hotels hardly stopped ringing, former Merseyside people going out of there way to invite the boys out to their homes and for meals.  Hospitality was simply fantastic.  No other word would be adequate. 
JUST TOO EASY
“I think the tour has been a great fillip.  Certainly, there is no tiredness.  The football was too easy for that.  We gave them some great displays of football but there was never any danger of us being beaten.  “If we had wanted more goals, we could have got them.  There are oceans between England and Australia and there are oceans between our standards and theirs.  That I suppose, is only to be expected.  “We have left them with a much more favourable impression of British football than they had when we arrived.  “Everything the Australians tackle in the sporting field they do well- cricket, Rugby League, swimming, athletics- why shouldn’t they make their mark in soccer? The only point that that worries me about their prospects is the apparent difficulty they are finding in getting the game played extensively in their schools.  It will take time.  They have made a late start and there is a lot of leeway to be made up.  “I would like to say that we saw some lads of outstanding merit, who might well develop into top stars, but it would be stretching the facts.  I was told that the youth of New South Wales and Victoria have had their interest aroused and that is the sort of news Australia needs.  “The beginnings are there, but they face an uphill climb.  They have officials who are putting their hearts and soul into the task of popularising soccer and with excellent financial backing they must have a chance.  This was a trip all of us will talk about along after our playing days are over.  The only snag about it all is that wherever we may go in the future we shall always find ourselves comparing that country with Australia and it will have to be exceptional to warrant a rating.  Never before have I seen such genuine sadness on the part of the people as we left the country.  Some of the officials at Sydney Airport were unashamedly wiping back the tears -and come to think of it, what was that lump doing in my throat?  And an farewell Australia and thanks for a memory that will never die. 
DIRECTORS SOUVENIRS ARE SAFE
A very relieved Mr. Fred Micklesfield rang me up last night to tell me that three overnight travelling bags belonging to him, which disappeared after Everton’s arrival at Speke Airport, had not been lost after all.  George Helsop, lending a hand with the disposal of the luggage had put them in Gordon West’s car -and so all was well.  “They were full of souvenirs,” said Mr. Micklesfield, “I was delighted to tell the police to call off the hunt. 

HARLAND SIGNS
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Tuesday 2 June, 1964
Carlisle United signed another Liverpool-born player today.  He is former Bradford City skipper and left half Stan Harland.  Twenty-three-years-old Harland-Carlise’s first buy since the end of the season- was on Everton’s books before joining Bradford. 

EVERTON MEN BACK FROM AUSTRALIA
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Tuesday, June 2, 1964
Everton returned home from their highly successful tour of Australia last night to be greeted by cold, driving rain at Liverpool Airport and the cheers of scores of their supporters who had gone to Speke to meet them.  The weather could nothave proved a greater contrast to that they had experienced in Australia and the sun-tanned players must have thought they had come back in the football season.  Verdict on the tour was unanimous; the best ever.  Director Fred Micklesfield, who was in charge of the party, said they had been asked to go back next year by Australian officials, who had been delighted with the success, both financially and in the playing sense, of  Everton's visit.Mr. Micklesfield added; "The behaviour of the boys on and off the field was impeccable. They were a credit to the club and English football.  We can justly be proud of them."   Tom Eggleston,  Everton's  chief coach and trainer, who was in charge of the playing side in the absence of manager Harry Catterick, said: "I have travelled all over the world on footballtours but this was the best of them all.  "Australian football, of course, is nothing like our standard. But they are keen on the game, there is , enthusiasm and backing, and I would think soccer has a future out there." 
GREAT DISPLAYS 
Skipper Roy Vernon could not praise highly enough the reception and hospitality the team had received. He felt the tour had been a great fillip to them all and he was happy that Everton had provided some great displays of football.  "I think we left the Australians with a better appreciation of what our football is like here at home," he said.  A mix-tip over baggage caused a flurry at the almost.  Mr. Micklesfield put down his three overnight bags in the buffet, and a few minutes later they had disappeared.  A frantic search of the airport with the help of police failed to find them—but when Mr. Micklesfield reached home the mystery was solved. George Heslop lending a hand with the bags put the bags in Gordon West's car and the mix-up was soon sorted out.  The players had koala bears among their souvenirs, and the picture shows Gordon West with his wife Ann and baby son Stephen, who has taken to the bear immediately. 

EVERTON A AND B TEAMS
The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express- Wednesday, June 3, 1964
By Michael Charters
When the Lancashire League hold their annual general meetings in Blackpool a week to-day, Everton will receive two trophies they already hold! The club’s “A” and “B” teams won Division One and Two respectively of the league to repeat their feat of the previous season.  These youngsters were also concerned in the playing for the league’s supplementary competition, against Manchester United “A” and “B” in each case, but these games could not be fitted in at the end of last season.  The management committee is hoping to arrange these deciders early next season as floodlight fixtures, urging the clubs to stage them at Goodison Park and Old Trafford to boost the league’s finances.  Everton “A” won Division one with 35 points from 22 games, five points clear of Manchester United, with Liverpool in third place on 29 points.  Tranmere Rovers “A” taking on the big clubs for the first time in the Lancashire League, were second from bottom with 14 points.  Everton “B” had a bigger winning margin in Division two, being seven points ahead of United “B” In this division, Tranmere were fourth and Liverpool sixth.  Tranmere “A” did much better in the supplementary competition, finishing second to Everton in their section, and Liverpool third.  Liverpool “B” were third to Everton “B” with Tranmere “B” bottom of the six clubs in that section. 

BILL DEAN WILL COACH TEAMS AT KIRKBY
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Monday 8 June 1964
By Michael Charters
Bill Dean, the one and only, is to take a more active part in the game he adorned for so long by taking up coaching for the Kirkby Town organisation. Kirkby Town, a progressive club growing up as rapidly as the new town in which it is centred, have just completed their first season in the Lancashire Combination, and the town's schoolboy side had a most successful year. There was plenty of talent there, with obviously more to come, and the Kirkby club's officials feel that Bill Dean is the man to help to guide it along the right lines.  Next season the club is to start a youth team to bridge the gap between schoolboy and Lancashire Combination level. It will be part of Dean's task to coach the three teams, working in unison to bring useful boys along through the various grades as they grow older. He is starting almost immediately by spending two or three nights a week during the summer talking to the boys and older players, and will intensify his coaching when next season gets under way.  Kirkby Town are most ambitious. They have been playing in the new Kirkby Athletic Stadium but eventually will move to a fine new football ground which theCouncil is building now. Once initial teething troubles are out of the way, they aim to reach the first division of the Lancashire Combination and already there is talk of trying for League status at some future date. Certainly, they seem to have the potential in the way of support and forward-looking officials, who are hopeful of putting the new town on the football map.  A club official told me: "We are glad to get Bill Dean to help us. He knows the ropes in football. We are a new club and we wanted someone with his experience to guide us along to do the right things."
Benefit for the game 
This is not Dean's first venture into coaching, although he has been out of the game for some years.  At one time, he coached the Cheshire Army Cadets and they had considerable success in winning a national trophy during his stay with them. It is good to know that the man so many rate as the greatest centre forward of all time has decided to give his experience and knowhow for the benefit of youngsters interested in the game.  I had a talk with Bill about it and there was no doubt he was looking forward to helping Kirkby. He also asked me to take this opportunity of looking back a little and thanking everyone who helped to make his benefit match at Goodison Park last season such a great success.  He particularly wanted to thank the Everton and Liverpool players who took part, and also the Everton chairman, Mr. John Moores, who was the guiding force behind the match. It was Mr. Moores who appreciated that the football followers of Merseyside would be pleased to pay tribute to Dean, despite the long gap in years since he ended his playing days. He was right, for the memory of Dean will never die while football is played in this area. 

EVERTON TICKETS
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Tuesday 9 June, 1964
As there are still a few outstanding, Everton have extended the date for the guaranteed renewal of season tickets to Thursday.  Season ticket holders applying after that day cannot be guaranteed the issue of their old seats. 

EVERTON’S INTEREST IN ENGLAND FULL BACK
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Wednesday 10 June, 1964
HARRY CATTERICK MEETS RAY WILSON TOMORROW
By Michael Charters
Everton manager Harry Catterick is to meet Ray Wilson, the Huddersfield Town and England full- back, tomorrow in an attempt to arrange the transfer of the England star to Goodison Park.  He told me of his interest in the player this morning, but emphasised that there was no question of his rushing off to some secret rendezvous to-day to complete the deal.  He added that he was waiting to hear from Huddersfield of that club's reaction to his initial inquiry some weeks ago.  Eddie Boot, the Huddersfield manager, confirmed Everton's interest and, after speaking to Wilson, said that a meeting had been arranged for to-morrow. It will probably be held in Manchester as the half-way spot between the clubs.  Wilson, who returned this morning to Huddersfield after flying back with the England team from their games in South America, was spending the day with his family.  Mr. Catterick said: "Naturally we are interested in a top class player like Wilson if Huddersfield are prepared to let him go.  I have read that Huddersfield would want £50,000 or, alternatively, that they would prefer 3 part-exchange deal involving an Everton player.  But Huddersfield have not,  told me that and until I hear  from Eddie Boot, the position  remains that we are prepared  to make a definite move  when Huddersfield let us  know their ideas on the  transfer."  It believed that Huddersfield are prepared now to sell
Catterick Meets Ray  Wilson To-morrow  Wilson, their star performer, whose name has been linked  with many senior clubs over  the past few years but the Huddersfleld club have held  on to him through it all.
BEST IN ENGLAND 
Wilson, who is 29, is rated the finest full back in England. Only last April he moved into a new home on the outskirts of Huddersfield with his wife and two sons.  It is his own bungalow, built for him by his father-in-law, and it is up to him now I whether he is prepared to uproot his family and move, elsewhere.  Liverpool have always been  interested in Wilson, particularly  as manager Bill Shankly, previously the  Huddersfield chief, knows  him so well. 

FELLOW FEELING
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Wednesday, June 10, 1964
By George Harrison
From Melbourne, Australia, I have received a letter from Mr. Harold Blakeman, who before the war played soccerfor Norwest Juniors and Bootle Celtic in the Bootle J.O.C.  His object in writing is to convey thanks to Everton F.C. for their wonderful displays in Australia which, he says, “lifted the hearts of thousands of migrants who are lovers of the game."  Mr. Blakeman did manage to bag a few autographs of the Everton players and be adds:  "Some years before the war, I played for Waterloo and Crosby Boys' representative side against Liverpool Boys and also Bolton Boys, the latter team including the great Tommy Lawton.  "We were hopelessly licked and I suppose that is why my heart went out to the Australian side which Everton completely over-ran." 

MORRISSEY SURPRISE
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Wednesday, June 10, 1964
By Michael Charters
R. Humphrey, of 55 Windermere Street, Liverpool 5, asks; “What are Everton’s reason for offering John Morrissey for transfer? He has served the club well and scored vital goals in the championship season.  Since then, he has matured into a skilful and very able player.  “By selling both Morrissey and Ray Veall, Everton would have to experienced winger as stand-in for Scott or Temple.  Morrissey has deputised for both very successfully and should never have been dropped for the game at West Bromwich last season.  If Morrissey should leave the club, Everton would be forced, upon injury to regular players, to play men out of position.” 
On the face of it, Everton’s readiness to part with both reserve left wingers, Morrissey and Veall, seems surprising, but manager Harry Catterick will be confident he has adequate cover for that position. 

£50,000 FEE FOR 29-YEAR-OLD PLAYER WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED
Liverpool Daily Post- Thursday, June 11, 1964
EVERTON MAY MAKE MOVE FOR WILSON TO-DAY
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN HAVE NOT BEEN IN TOUCH WITH ME, SAYS MR. CATTERICK
By Horace Yates
Everton manager, Mr. Harry Catterick, will to-day contact Huddersfield Town Football Club with a view to arranging a meeting with England international full back, Ray Wilson, whom the Yorkshire club are apparently willing to release after months of saying “No.” At least this is the position as suggested from Huddersfield last night.  Mr. Catterick’s statement was more guarded.  He told me; “Nationally we are interested in a top-class player I will consider them and if they are in accord with my assessment, I will act quickly.  Huddersfield have not been in touch with me.  “Anything could happen, maybe in five hours, five days, five weeks or five months, depending on circumstances.” 
UNINFORMED GOSSIP
Despite Mr. Catterick’s caution, I would say that unless Huddersfield’s demands are prohibitive, and I certainly would consider the suggested £50,000 fee to be in the category, Everton will strive to clinch a bargain at the earliest possible moment.  Huddersfield manager, Mr. Eddie Boot, suggests that negotiations with Everton about the player have taken place.  It has also been said that one party or the other introduced the name of Everton’s Eire international full back Mick Meagan, as part of any deal.  Mr. Catterick refutes that theory, saying it is merely uninformed gossip.  Almost throughout the close season the names of Everton and Liverpool have been linked with an interest in the twenty-nine-year-old defender but without any sort of confirmation from the clubs.  Liverpool manager Mr. Bill Shankley, now back from his club’s Canadian and American tour, did not lead me to believe that Everton can expect competition from them for Wilson, who was converted from a half back to full back by Mr. Shankley when at Leeds Road.
GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT
In any event there is in existence a gentleman’s agreement between the Merseyside clubs not to bid against each other in the transfer market.  If one club has already market.  If one club has already moved in, the other stays in the background.  I understand the most recent example of this concerned Alex Elder, Burnley’s international full back, several weeks ago.  Both clubs developed a fancy for him, but Everton made the first move and that was that, although in the event negotiations were unsuccessful.  The last occasion I can recall of the clubs clashing in a chase after a player was when Liverpool signed Albert Stubbins from Newcastle United, Liverpool got there first, agreed a £12,500 fee with United and interviewed the player.  Along came Everton with a £13,000 offer, but Stubbins indicated a desire to go to Anfield and battle was never really joined.  That was nearly twenty years ago.  Since the Liverton co-operation has become much more marked, so that Everton have a clear field, at least so far as Liverpool are concerned.  Whether they will find Spurs vising with them, at they did over the Alex Scott signing, remains to be seen, for the Londoners are also full back conscious just now.
IMMEDIATE NEED
If Wilson were a few years younger there would certainly be an untidy scramble for the favour of his signature.  Wilson, however, is a young twenty-nine, and considered by many to have several years of top-class football before him.  Everton’s need being immediate, I believe they will be prepared to gamble with Wilson, but certainly not to the extent of £50,000.  For a younger player clubs might profit by the knowledge that Everton do not worry unduly about the fee, providing the player measures up to requirements, but this is in a somewhat different category.  I expect to see developments to-day providing there is a measure of agreement on what for is considered to be “reasonable.” 

GROSS RECEIPTS OF £355,431
Liverpool Daily Post- Thursday, June 11, 1964
By Horace Yates
EVERTON PROFIT £15,912
Everton in their annual report issued to-day, show a profit on last season of £15,912 after finishing third in the First Division Championship, compared with a loss of £19,659 when they won the title in the previous season.  I gather however, that there is an outstanding instalment of the fee payable to Blackburn Rovers in connection with the transfer to Everton of international centre forward Fred Pickering.  Although gross gate receipts of £335,431 show an increase of £77,419.  League gates receipts are reduced by £30,362 to £190,907.  Cup-tie cash bounded by £69,730 to £98,221 due mainly to the European Cup clash with Inter-Milan and the home game with Glasgow Rangers. 
FAIRLY GODMOTHER
Wages and bonuses accounted for £74,160 an advance of £7,106.  On balance transfer fees are £33,240 down.  An indication of how costly it is to maintain Goodison Park is to maintain Goodison Park in its wonderful condition is provided by the spending of £83,618 on improvements and maintenance.  This includes the seating at Bullens Road and other tip-up seating.  A bank overdraft of £65,144 has been cleared, but again there is the suggestion of another visit of the club’s fairy godmother with a donation received of £30,128.  From always League games Everton drew £15,364 and paid out more than twice the amount -£33,564 -but comparison in this respect with Liverpool’s receipts is remarkable.  The champions collected £29,428 from their visits of other grounds.  The retiring directors, Mr. John Moores (chairman) and Mr. Jack Sharp, will be re-elected unopposed at the annual meeting on July 2 as no other nominations have been received. 

EVERTON SRAT MOVES FOR WILSON TRANSFER
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express-Thursday 11 June, 1964
HARRY CATTERICK HAS SECRET MEETING WITH PLAYER
£55,000FEELIKELY 
By Michael Charters
Everton manager Harry Catterick started negotiations to-day for the transfer of Ray Wilson, the Huddersfield Town and England left back, and it is expected that Wilson will be an Everton player before the day is out.  Mr. Catterick went to Manchester this morning to meet Wilson and the Huddersfield manager, Eddie Boot.  Their meeting place was kept secret.  Late this afternoon they were still locked in secret negotiation.  In Huddersfield, it is believed that the transaction will be a straight cash deal and they are talking about a record fee for the Huddersfield club.  At present, their highest stands at the £52,000 they received from Manchester City for Denis Law.  Mr. Boot has said he values Wilson at more than that. 
MEAGAN'S VIEW 
It seems unlikely that a player-exchange will be part of the deal as Mick Meagan, Everton's Irish international full back, who has been mentioned as being involved in the transfer, has said he will not leave Everton to join any other club.  Meagan added that when the time came for him to leave Everton, his only League club, he would be going back home to his village near Dublin. He has been such a grand servant to Everton that his reluctance to play for anyone else can be appreciated and admired.  Wilson, who only returned home yesterday after being with England on their American tour, said last night that the prospect of joining Everton delighted him. I have no doubt that Mr. Catterick will be able to offer hint  terms and bonuses in keeping  with the other senior players  on the Everton staff which will make Wilson's pay at Huddersfield seem trivial by comparison.  If any snags do hold up the transfer, it will be that Mr. Catterick and Mr. Boot do not see eye to eye on the fee for Wilson, who is 29 years old.  But the shortage of top class full backs is so acute at present that Huddersfield  are taking this chance of cashing in on the man rated the finest in England, and  thus Wilson's age could become a secondary Issue. 
DISTURBED 
When I spoke to Mr. Catterick yesterday afternoon to tell him I had heard from Huddersfield that Mr. Boot and Wilson were to meet him to-day, he was rather disturbed that the information should come from me rather than the Huddersfield club. He had made an arrangement with Mr. Boot that the Huddersfield manager should telephone Everton immediately he had spoken to Wilson and made arrangements for a meeting.  Mr. Boot, however, released this information long before contacting Mr. Catterick.  In fact, it was not until early evening that Mr. Catterick received the message from Huddersfield, several hours after I had been able to tell him. 

EVERTON PROFIT OF £15,912 
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Thursday, June 12, 1964
By Michael Charters
Everton report a profit of £15,912 for last season, compared to a loss of £19,659 the previous year, their championship season, but the most notable feature of the balance sheet, published to-day, is a donation of £50,128.  This leaves a credit balance of £100,994 to be carried forward to next year.  Income from League gates was down by some £30,000 (£160,245) compared to £190,807), but receipts from Cup-ties, which included the European Cup, increased greatly from £28,441 to £98,221.  The receipts from the sale of season tickets was more than double from the previousseason, thanks to the opening of the new seats on the Bullens Road side of the ground. They were £77,427as against £37,007.  Total revenue from all matches, including the club's share of the F.A. Cup pool, grew from £278,012 to £355,431.  On the expenditure side, players 'wages and bonuses took more. They amounted to £74,160 compared to £67,054, but transfer fees cost less. In 1963 they amounted to £84,970; in 1964 they were £51,725.  Travelling and match expenses showed a sharp increase from £10,903 to' £19,320, while a total of £85,618 went on ground expenses and maintenance against £47,559.  The annual general meeting will be held on July 2.  The retiring directors, chairman John Moores and Mr. John Sharp, offer themselves for re-election. No other nominations have been received.

SNAGS WILL BE IRONED OUT, I WILL SOON BE AN EVERTON PLAYER
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, June 12, 1964
SIGNING MAY BE COMPLETED
BATTLE OF THE PURSE IS ONLY BARRIER TO BE SURMOUNTED
By Horace Yates
Everton’s chase after Huddersfield Town’s international full back Ray Wilson, hotted up yesterday with negotiations between manager Harry Catterick and Eddie Boot, at a supposedly secret rendezvous, which in the event was besieged by Press representatives.  Wilson and Mick Meagan, Everton’s international full back were also present.  Sufficient progress was made for the respective sides to retire to refer the position to their boards and the upshot could well be that later to-day of this weekend.  Wilson will be an Everton player.  Wilson at least, is full of optimism at his chances of joining the all-star cast at Goodison Park.  He said last night.  The hold up in the transfer deal is none of my doing.  I fully accept the terms offered to me by Mr. Catterick and will be quite happy to sign.
STRAIGHT CASH
“I gather that the hitch is in regard to the straight cash to be paid by Everton if Mick Meagan decides against joining Huddersfield Town.  “I am not really disappointed at the delay because I am sure the delay because I am sure the snags will be ironed out and that I will soon be an Everton player- perhaps in another couple of days.  I cannot see anything to stop the deal now.”  The negotiations machinery went into top gear yesterday morning when Huddersfield manager Mr. Boot, contacted Mr. Catterick.  Let Mr. Catterick take up the story at this point.  He said, “I was do encouraged by what was said that we made a rendervous for discussion at a country club on the outskirts of Bury.  This was to be a secret meeting.  “We discussed many points and put up several suggestions.  However, no agreement was reached between us of any point. I would say that everything is in the balance.  “I think the negotiations could be protracted.  Both Mr. Boot and myself will report to our respective boards the outcome of our preliminary discussions, for that is all they were.
ATTEMPTED UCNHANGED?
“When our directors have had a chance in discuss the various points, negotiations may be resumed, but nothing will happen to-night or to-morrow morning.”  The appearance of Meagan in the negotiations confirmed earlier reports that Huddersfield might wish to have the Irish player in part exchange, but so far as I know Mick has not changed his attitude of wanting to stay put at Goodison Park.  With Huddersfield very willing to sell, Everton prepared to buy and Wilson living for the chance to play for Everton, it seems obvious this is now a battle of the purse.  Everton naturally want to release the strings as little as possible, and Huddersfield are tugging away hopefully.  If Huddersfield are entertaining ideas of enriching themselves by something like £30,000 it is hardly surprising that Mr. Catterick was reluctant to clinch a deal without reference to his board.  At this stage in his career Wilson for all his acknowledged ability hardly merits a penny more than £40,000-even from Everton.  The last Huddersfield player in whom Everton took an active interest was Denis Law, prior to his joining Manchester City.  It is said they lost him because something like £5,000 separated the two clubs’ valuation of the Scottish international although Mr. Bill Shankly, manager of Town at that time was dead set against Law going in any circumstances. 
WORTH £100,000
When Mr. Shankly told the directors that one day Law would be worth £100,000 there were some smiles and a great deal of disbelief, but away went Law to Manchester and in due course the Shankly predication proved absolutely correct -twice over.  Even if Everton feel they are exceeding their true assessment of Wilson’s value I don’t think this will be another deal which will fail for £3,000.  Everton claim the Championship would have been theirs last season if their defence had been as watertight as is expected of Champions.  As they do not intend to allow any slip up next season to rate their ambitions plans.  There is an clear directive over the part Meagan played in yesterday’s talks. I have been assured however, that if he does not wish to move to Yorkshire Everton would not exert pressure on a great player who has given years of devoted service.  There is not a better club man anywhere than the quietly spoken, loyal Meagan -and Everton appreciate the fact. I have an idea that if he has not already done so Mr. Catterick will try to interest Huddersfield in Ray Parnell, who is on offer, in lieu of Meagan.  As for the leak which gave away the secret meeting place Mr. Catterick showed there were no hard feelings on his part by making one of his shortest speeches “Come and have a drink, lads.” 

No Thursday 12 1964 Liverpool Echo

WISER TO GO FOR A YOUNGER BACK THAN RAY WILSON?
Liverpool Daily Post- Thursday, June 18, 1964
Criticism of the high-handed and callous attitude of the Football League Management Committee towards the members of the Fourth Division, are roundly condemned by Mr. D.L. Evans (Higher Bebington).  “I am a regular reader of the Daily Post and always read your articles with interest, I thoroughly agreed with your remarks about the high-handed and callous intentions of the League Management to throw the Fourth Division clubs out of the League. I was very pleased that our senior clubs, Everton and Liverpool, helped to defeat this iniquitous proposition.  Some of these clubs, like Tranmere Rovers, have spent thousands of pounds on ground improvements, lights, etc., and have a loyal band of supporters to whom their clubs mean a lot. 
DEFENCE CRACKED
“As mentioned in your article in view of the fact that Liverpool only eventually reached 57 points, I also think Everton could have retained the championship if the defence had not cracked up so badly from Easter onwards, when they gave so many goals away.  “They also threw the Cup-tie away at Sunderland.  Everton need a full back, but I would have thought it wiser to go for somebody younger than Wilson, although he is a good player at the moment.  To sign Wilson seems a very short-term policy.  Does this prospective signing mean there is no hope of recovery for Alex Parker? To my mind he was one of the best full backs in the game before his injury last November, I think a partnership of Parker and Sandy Brown would be adequate.  “There seems to be deadly silence on the fate of Tony Kay.  It is to be hoped the matter will be settled before the start of the season.  “Could you please give me the final league figures for Everton last year and Liverpool this year?” 
The details you ask for are; -
Everton……. Played 42 Won 25 Draw 11 Lost 6 For 84 Against 42 Points 61
Liverpool…. Played 42 Won 26 Draw 5 Lost 11 For 92 Against 45 Points 57
MUST BE MAD
Also, on the topic of Everton’s attempted signing of Ray Wilson of Huddersfield Town, Mr. C.P. Noel (West Derby) writes; - “I think Everton must be mad to even think of spending £50,000 on a twenty-nine-year-old player.  Admittedly there were games last season when it was apparent to everybody that full back was not the strongest part of the Everton team, but surely it is possible to find a younger man.  “Everton need only look at the example of Liverpool to set them thinking on the right lines.  They brought players like Milne, Yeats, Thompson, Stevenson, and St. John, all comparative youngsters and all have become internationals, with the exception of Stevenson, who is as good as any of them.  “I would not be at all disappointed if the Wilson deal fell through. It might turn Everton’s attentions to more youthful material.  Why not let us find a future international instead of one whose career is well advanced?
“What is your view of this?”
SPORTS EDITOR
If Everton could find a younger player of Wilson’s ability or with the promise of developing along similar lines, there is no doubt they would move quickly.  The truth is that manager Harry Catterick and his comprehensive scouting team have scoured England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to find as full back. 
UNDER REVIEW
It is one thing to give such an order.  Quite a different thing to fulfil it.  Many full backs have come under review.  name any you like, and I guarantee he will have been watched he will have been watched.  Not all of them are writers off as unsuitable, but then the difficulty begins that either the club will not part or the player does not want to move.  “Like you, I think £50,000 is beyond Wilson’s worth in normal circumstances Everton, however, are weighting their IMMEDIATE assessment of value.  “They look on it this way.  If Wilson can give them three years or more of first-class service and converts them from a team just missing top honours to a team gaining them, whatever fee is finally agreed will have proved worthwhile.  These days, Everton are not only spending more money than at any time in their history, but the receipts are records also.  That income will only continue to rise if supporters are kept happy and entertained and just as important the side is successful in their honours search.  In these circumstances, can we really critical Everton for considering expending a big sum of money on a man whom they think will help them to achieve these goals? I think not.  The delay in clinching the signing indicates that Everton are digging in their heels against paying an utterly unrealistic fee. Mr. Catterick’s reputation as a negotiator is such that he can be relied on to strike the best possible bargain.  Just to put the record straight St. John was already an international when he joined Liverpool.  Yeats so far, has graduated only to the position of travelling reserve for Scotland. 
ALL GOOD MEN
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Thursday 18, 1964
This is the season when sports personalities and others find themselves called upon to open garden fetes and all manner of unusual jobs.  Everton's Brian Labone and Colin Harvey find themselves called upon on Saturday although it's not a job removed very far from their normal one.  They are to referee the five-a-side football finals at the Cardinal Allen Grammar School garden party in the school grounds at Honeys green Lane, West Derby.  Colin is an old boy of the school, which he left in 1961. On the Sunday he will be flying to Jersey for a holiday.  The fete, which is being run by the school parents' association, is towards the cost of the school's new swimming bath. 

JIMMY HARRIS
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Friday 19 June, 1964
Jimmy Harris, the former Everton forward, realised by Birmingham on a free transfer, will not be joining either Tranmere or Wrexham. I believe he will be playing for Oldham Athletic next season.
BOY FOR BRIAN
Mrs. Beryl Harris, wife of Brian Harris, the Everton player gave birth to a baby boy in a Waterloo nursing home last night.  Both mother and child are well.  This is their second son. 

WILSON LATEST
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Monday 22 June, 1964
By Leslie Edwards
Though Ramon Wilson, the Huddersfield Town back scouted time and again by both Everton and Liverpool, was to-day conferring with the manager of his club, Eddie Boot, the chances of Everton signing him in the immediate future are small.  Harry Catterick told me before he set off for a holiday: "The chances of business on a purely cash basis are slight. The clubs are as poles apart over the amount they think the player is worth. If Mick Meagan decides not to go to Huddersfield as part of an exchange deal and that's the way it would seem to be going—then we should have to start negotiating all over again."  Everton, it seems, are determined not to go above the figure at which they have assessed Wilson. The player's age—he is close on thirty—has doubtless had much bearing on the sum they are prepared to pay.  Late last season when Liverpool F.C.'s interest  switched elsewhere from Wilson, the Liverpool manager, Mr. Shankly, who knows Wilson's play better than anyone  else, mentioned the player's age almost as a reason why  he should not be found, next season, at Anfield.  I don't mind confessing that it has been a change for me to get away from football and "all that" for more than a month and I daresay Messrs Catterick, at Goodison Park, and Shankly, at Anfield, feel the same way at not having the customary daily telephone call from this correspondent who must, perforce, ask many pertinent. If not impertinent questions. 

INTER CITIES FAIRS CUP
Liverpool Daily Post-Thursday, June 25, 1964
EVERTON AND UNITED IN CHOSEN 32!
By Horace Yates
The Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, at first regarded as the poor relation of the major European tournaments, has grows so rapidly in popularity that instead of seeking volunteers, the organisers are now having to cut applications by nearly 90 per cent.  Next season for example the Cup Committee have eliminated twenty-seven of the fifty-nine applications which reached them.  The names of the 32 survivors will be revealed to-day.  Sir Stanley Rous, president of the F.I.F.A presided over the vetting committee, which decided that the successful teams will be divided into eight groups of four, the winners forming the quarter final clashes.  Last season both England and Scotland were doubly represented. 
DUNFERMLINE CLASH
Everton previously took part in this competition in 1962-63 when they clashed with Dunfermline.  Although they beat the Scots in the first leg at Goodison Park.  Everton went down on aggregate in matches which gave the crowds an insight into the sort of negative football-destroying tactics, now accepted as part and parcel of the European and World scenes.  Everton have lost interest of the first fence in both ventures into Europe, for Inter-Milan (the eventual winners) defeated them last season in the European Cup competition.  Their third assault on a European trophy will find them better equipped tactically than at any time previously -and experience is as vitally important when to win is paramount and the methods secondary.  Already this tournament has the glitter of a football gold mine about it.  All the signs are that the richest team has yet to be struck.  Dunfermline not the most famous club in Scotland, still succeeded in drawing 40,244 spectators who paid specially inflated prices at Goodison Park.  At Dunfermline, the crowd figures reached 30,000.  There are bigger and more attractive draws than Dunfermline to add glamour to the early season by comparison with which the voluntary less of the Football league Cup Competition would appear trifling.  Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have profited tremendously on European adventures and even the back door entry of the Inter Cities Fairs Cup can help to make Everton’s soaring receipts season by season, grow mightier and more impressive. 

EVERTON DRAWN TO PLAY OSLO
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Thursday, May 25, 1964
FIRST ROUND FAIRS CUP
SEPTEMBER
By Michael Charters
Everton have been drawn against Oslo, home and away, in the first round of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup next season.  This will be the club's second venture in this European competition. Two years ago, they met Dunfermline in the first round, winning at Goodison Park but losing on aggregate at the Scottish club's ground.  Everton are in group one next season, with Kilmarnock, the Scottish representatives, drawn against Eintracht (West Germany), Manchester United, the other English club in the competition, are in group two and play Djurgard Stockholm,  dates for the first round have not been named,  but it is believed both games will be played in September.  This is the first time the Norwegian club has entered this tournament and, on paper, it should prove a fairly easy task for Everton to enter the second round.

EVERTON SIGN WILSON
Liverpool Echo & Evening Express- Tuesday 30 June, 1964
MEAGAN JOINS HUDDERSFIELD
DEAL COMPLETED TO-DAY AT GOODISON PARK
ENGLAND PLAYER
By Leslie Edwards
Ramon Wilson, England and Huddersfield Town full back, to-day became an Everton player.  As part of the deal, estimated to cost Everton £40,000. Everton's Eire international, full back, Mick Meagan, who, has been with the club for the whole of his professional career, goes to Huddersfield.  Manager Eddie Boot and Wilson arrived at the Everton ground at 11.30 this morning.  Meagan had flown from Dublin at the request of Everton manager, Harry Catterick. Forms were signed by 12.30.  The only stumbling block had been the possibility that Huddersfield would not be able to offer Meagan the terms he required.  Mr. Catterick said: "I have been in touch for some weeks with Huddersfield over the transfer. Twice before Meagan has come over from Dublin for conferences with Huddersfield; twice he went back home because terms offered did not meet his requirements.  HOLIDAYS HELD UP 
"My own holidays were held up by negotiations. This week I told Mr. Boot that if the thing were not clinched soon it would be too late. His reaction in coming with Wilson to-day to see me again indicated that Huddersfield were prepared to give Meagan the terms he wants.  "Wilson is 29, but is a very fit young man. As in all other big transfer deals in which Everton are concerned we have had him examined as to general health and also orthopedically."  At the age of 29 and with a string of Second Division seasons with only a moderately  successful club, Wilson now achieves his No. 1 ambition—First Division football with a top-class club.  There was no one happier than he to-day, despite the fact that only two months ago he decided that his ambition would never be realised. After living to a Huddersfield Town club house for nearly ten years Wilson finally bought his own bungalow on the windswept Yorkshire moors at Scapegoat Hill, five miles from the Huddersfield town centre.  Much of his energy  normally channelled into football was used up at the end of the season in a frantic "do it yourself " campaign to get things shipshape  before he left with the England  party to tour South America.
TWO SONS 
His fair-haired wife Pat and their two sons. Russell aged seven, and Neil, aged four, will now uproot themselves once again. Wilson will come to live in Liverpool.  Recruited on to the ground staff as a left wing man in his 'teens. Wilson was converted into a full back by the former Huddersfield Town manager, Andy Beattie.  Quickly after his debut in the 1954-55 season he became an exciting prospect and now he is regarded as the best full back in Europe.  He has 266 League games behind him for Huddersfield and on the field of play his dedication to the game in hand is an incredible feature of his play. 
GIVES ALL 
He gestures bangs his fists on the ground when colleagues make what, to him, would be elementary mistakes, but always gives his all—whether the game is against Brazil or Banger. He hardly seems to notice the crowd in the course of a match, but at times his angry gestures have earned him rebuke from supporters and officials of the club alike. The key to his success is his concentration and his fantastic abilities of recovery.  He can be left stranded by a clever move executed by a fast winger. Seconds later as the wing man is preparing to centre he will find the ballwhisked away from him.  When negotiations were opened -Liverpool F.C., whose manager Bill Shankly used to be at Huddersfield, were first to seek Wilson's services—by Everton the two clubs were as poles apart, in  Mr. Catterick's own words, over the size of the fee.  It was then that the possibility of Meagan being exchanged as part of the deal came into the picture and from that moment Wilson's coming to Goodison Park was a possibility. 
ORIGINALLY HALF-BACK 
Mick Meagan just 30 years old was born in Dublin and joined Everton as an amateur in 1952. He was originally a half-back. Mr. Catterick found his real niche at full back, and he has appeared there for his club and for Eire, by whom he has been capped many times in the past few seasons.  Meagan is a model of everything the ideal player should be—uncomplaining, efficient in a quiet way, never a ha'porth of trouble on or off the field. Many will be sorry to see him go.  Following a bad back injury in a match at Goodison Park against West Bromwich Albion he struck a bad patch of form, but his recovery has been complete. No one "reads" play better.  Everton are still negotiating with some five of their players over terms for new contracts, but only two of the men concerned are first teamers.