HARRY CATTERICK’S SECRET TRIALS PRODUCE A TEAM FOR THE KICK-OFF
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, August 3, 1964
ALEX YOUNG ALL SET FOR COME-BACK AT STOKE
PARKER IS FULLY FIT AGAIN AND PARTNERS WILSON
By Jack Rowe
Alex Young, the Scottish international centre forward, whose future at Everton has been in so much doubt in recent months, is all set to make a come-back and I confidently expect to see him playing for the Goodison Park club in the first match of the new season against stoke City, at the Victoria Park Grounds on August 22. Faced with the prosect of having to start the season without his two international half backs, Jimmy Gabriel, who will be under suspension, and Tony Kay, who is waiting the hearing of summonses against him, Everton manager Harry Catterick has been staging a series of secret trials at Bellefield, the club’s training ground.  He has tried various permutations and experiments and when thousands of Everton fans make the short journey to Stoke City in just under three weeks’ time, I think they will greet this team when the players come out to the pitch.  Rankin; Parker, Wilson; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple. Ever since Young asked to go in the transfer list rumours about him moving to this club have been prevalent and they have continued although he has since asked to come out off the list, a request which is still awaiting formal consideration by the board.  Before the end of last season Chelsea were one of the clubs mentioned and the Stamford Bridge name has come up again this week linked, ironically enough with the club whom I expect to see Young play against on August 22.  I think it can be stated safely that no approach has been made to Everton for Young from Chelsea or Stoke and it now seems that those Goodison fans who wanted to see the Scott back in the team will have their desire granted at Stoke. The name of Dennis Stevens at right half in the team which had been doing so well in practice does not surprise me because when he played there is an emergency at Fulham last season, I thought he had one of the best games I have seen from him.  Another name which is of terrific interest is that of Alex Parker at right back.  He has not had a senior game since November 16 last when he was injured at Notts Forest and subsequently had a cartilage operation which has been completely successful.  The left back, of course, was automatic, Ray Wilson the England player signed from Huddersfield Town and what is almost certain is that Everton supporters who go to Goodison Park on the evening of August 14 for the public trial match will have a pre-view of the men who, a week later will start Everton’s adventure on recapture the League championship from neighbours Liverpool, in action. 

GERRY TANSEY
Liverpool Echo - Monday 03 August 1964
Rutherford will Join former Everton winger Johnny Williams, Barry Brookfield  (ex-Southport Geoff Waterson (ex-Pwllheli), and the  young local inside forward John Brown in the paid ranks at the club's newt  28.000pound ground at Simonswood  Lane.  Gerry Tansey, the former Everton player, who is now the club's assistant manager and coach, is to concentrate on developing the 28 amateurs many of them Kirkby boys, —on the club's books.  In addition to their first’s team, Kirkby Town will also have a reserve side in the second division of the Liverpool County Combination.

EVERTON WOULD NOT LET YOUNG
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 04 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
It looks as though Alex Young is destined for yet another season at Everton. He has asked for his transfer request to be withdrawn; seems settled with the club again and, after all, has a very good contract with them to the end of the season.  Many Evertonians felt there should always be a place for Young in any Everton eleven, but when Pickering was signed from Blackburn it become clear that authority did not share that view.  Of the many stories going the rounds that Young is about to become a Stoke City or Chelsea player I can give only Manager Catterick's categorical denial that there have even been approaches from either club. "There is no substance in any of those tales," he says, "and I doubt whether the club would want to part with him in the present situation in which may lack, at the season's start at all events, two wing half-backs."  Many people feel Young had not the stamina to do all the fetching and carrying an inside-forward asked for in present-day football, but the player himself feels up to the Job. Moreover, I understand he has linked up well, in trial games, with Dennis Stevens operating behind him at half-back.  Whether Alex Parker will regain his full-back place after being Inactive almost since last November is a matter of doubt, but he is playing well, they say, and the issue between him and Sandy Brown must be a narrow one.  Young's continuance with Everton will please thousands. For the entertainment his football gives, however the team is faring, he has established himself with the rank and file of followers of the club. 

ANTI-SMEAR EVERTONIAN
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 05 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
Ron Chambers, of 104 Ettington Road, Liverpool 4, a keen supporter of Everton wants to express his feelings over the continual “smear” attack on his favourites.  He feels it is a high time someone spoke in their defence. - “Since Mr. Catterick’s arrival, the team has been described as ‘dirty, rough, tough, &c.  Compared with other post-war Everton teams the present one is certainly far more robust-and more formidable! "Everton are by no means a 'dirty, rough or tough' team. They do have one or two players who can be justifiably so described but can you or any other football follower name any First Division team that does not contain two or three players who also can be described thus?
“In your report you go to great lengths to describe every offence by Everton men. You seldom, if ever, give any space to unfair play by opponents. You turn a blind eye to the bashing and buffeting dished out weekly to Alex Young (in particular), Temple and Co.
At Blackburn late in the season, Joyce (Blackburn) committed four fouls in quick succession , was then "booked," the next three times the referee's whistle went were all for fouls against Joyce, yet he remained with alarming regularity during the past three seasons.  Everton have always been blamed for starting the rough stuff when theirs has almost always been retaliatory action. "No team I've seen could stand up to the provocation Everton face each week! No group of supporters could stand up so courageously to the hatred displayed against their idols as Everton fans do! “I would like all Everton followers to realize that by being Evertonians they are following a club who are constantly in receipt of the wrath of officialdom, the Press and the rest of the jealous so-called English “Sportsmen.”  Everton and Evertonian can expect no fair play or reason from the rest of the football world-but it’s a certainly that the club and the most faithful following of all will not alter one bit in their dedication to a great cause-Everton!"  Whatever justice there is ln Mr. Chambers' tirade is ruined by that final thrust that all the world's Everton. This Just isn't so, though it may seem that way occasionally!

EXCLUSIVE SUPPORT CLUB IMPOSSIBLE AT EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 06 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
Leeds United and Arsenal are among clubs which have help from their well-to-do-supporters.  At Leeds it is the 100 club who make periodic money contributions; have their own section in the stand and even their own restaurant and parking space. At Highbury the 21 club works on similar lines. I believe Glasgow Rangers also have a similar exclusive set of followers.  Everton thought of introducing one some time ago, but the difficulty of producing the right sort of accommodation and of keeping them separate from run-of-the-mill fans was too great. Everton's main stand was built eighty years ago and while it has served magnificently it does not lend itself to below-stairs partitioning of thesort an exclusive supporters' club would need.  There must be many people who would he prepared to pay a couple of pounds a week for the certainty of a seat In the stand, refreshment in comfort before and after games and parking facilities but at Goodison Park this just Isn't possible, at the moment.  Next week, all going well, Liverpool and Everton players will attend their customary annual pre-season "photographic" call. You would think that players and clubs would be anxious to further their national and local publicity by making photographs available whenever they act required, but it does not always work out this way.  At Goodison Park Manager Catterick feels that any pictures taken on club premises in club time should be the business only of the club. There have been times in the past when teams which have won championships or Cups have refused to pose for team pictures unless some fee were paid. One usually finds that players become camera shy a week or two before they are due to figure at Wembley. 

GOOD SCOUTS ARE GOLD DUST
Liverpool Echo - Friday 07 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
The most important behind-scenes organisation at any First Division club is the one which does the scouting. At Everton they number fifteen, a few wholly engaged, some part-time, some friends of Harry Catterick who are prepared to work for expenses and the love of the game and the club.  Their mission is to cover Britain, and Scotland in particular, and to keep tabs for their club on the form of every man, established or otherwise, who may turn out a tip-topper within the next few seasons. So meticulous is the Everton system Mr. Catterick can almost name, off the book, all the team sheets his men will bring back this week-end when many of them will be covering the non- League Scottish soccer which runs for many of the summer months.  The follower of Everton may well ask "is there not on Merseyside a pool of young amateurs from which Everton could produce one or two good prospects each season?" The answer is affirmative, but this year, at least, standards are low. From the several trials the club have put on for locals at their Bellfield training ground nothing has emerged, but that is not to say that the trials have not been worthwhile.  No club can dismiss the possibility that one of these matches may throw up a player whose value in the future would offset all the thousands of pounds spent on scouting.  Mr. Catterick is likely to visit Scotland over the week-end to see for himself some young players recommended by his scouting staff. Everton pride themselves that their form record of footballers of any note in Britain is as up to date as any in the land.  Meanwhile, the Everton first team can prepare themselves for the most unusual public trial any side has been given. Mr. Catterick has it in mind to make them battle for the first 45 minutes against the Reserve side and for the second 45 minutes against the club's Youth Xl.  As the Reserves and Youth elevens are to be left in no doubt that their full-time commitment to-day week is only one of 45 minutes' duration, you can depend on it the first team will be made to 'go a bit.' The public who usually take little interest in public trials should be especially interested in this all-out pre-season testing of the ‘big boys.'

BETS CASE 
Liverpool Echo - Friday 07 August 1964
SUMMONS SERVED ON TONY KAY
Tony Kay, Everton's international wing -half was one of three First Division footballers on whom summonses were served yesterday.  The others were Peter Swan, centre-half, and David Layne, centre-forward, of Sheffield Wednesday for whom Kay previously played. The summonses allege that Kay jointly with Jimmy Gauld a former Everton and Mansfield Town player, Layne and Swan between October 1, 1962 and December 2 1981 conspired together and with other persons unknown to defraud such persons as should be induced to accept bets made by or behalf of themselves on the football match between Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday, played on December I, 1962, by agreeing to ensure that Sheffield Wednesday lost the said match. The summonses are returnable at Mansfield magistrates’ court on September 28.

PARNELL ON FREE 
Liverpool Echo - Friday 07 August 1964
Everton stated to-day that they have given Roy Parnell, their young full back, a free transfer. Parnell made several appearances in the First Division team. He is a Birkenhead boy who has been on the Everton staff for about six seasons.

GOALKEEPER MOVES
Coventry Evening Telegraph - Saturday 08 August 1964
New Brighton, the Lancashire Combination club, have signed Ronnie Jones, former Oswestry Town goalkeeper. Jones played regularly in Oswestry Town's first team last season. He was previously with Everton.

EVERTON IN OSLO
Liverpool Echo - Monday 10 August 1964
Everton to-day complete arrangements for their first round Inter-Cities Fairs Cup ties against Oslo.  They play in Oslo on September 23 and the return game is at Goodison Park on October 14.

PARNELL JOINS TRANMERE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 10 August 1964
FREE TRANSFER FROM EVERTON
By Michael Charters
Tranmere Rovers to-day signed Roy Parnell, the 20-years-old full back given a free transfer by Everton last Friday.  Parnell, a Birkenhead boy whose home is within half-a-mile of Prenton Park, was on the Everton list originally at 5,000 pounds and he applied to the Football League for a reduction.  While waiting for the League’s decision, he has been training with Tranmere whose manager Dave Russell, has beaten other club’s to Parnell’s signature once Everton made it clear they would waive a fee.  Parnell played centre forward for Birkenhead and Cheshire Schoolboys, but when he joined Everton after leaving school, the then Everton manager, John Carey, switched him to full back.  He has played four games in the First Division side.  Parnell is Tranmere’s eight close season signing and will strengthen the defence which Mr. Russell has been at pains to build up during the summer. 

TRANSFER MOVE FOR SHARPLES
Liverpool Echo - Monday 10 August 1964
By Michael Charters
LIKELY TO JOIN SCUNTHORPE
Everton reserve wing half George Sharples went to Scunthorpe to-day to discuss a transfer to the Third Division club.  It is expected that the deal, which involves a fee to Everton, will go through later to-day as the clubs agreed on a figure over the week-end.  Sharples has been on Everton’s transfer list for the past eight months.  Born in Ellesmere Port, he played for England School-boys and joined Everton after leaving school.  He has played a dozen or so League games for Everton but never quite fulfilled the great promise he showed as a schoolboy.

EVERTON WATCH HIBS FORWARD
Liverpool Echo - Monday 10 August 1964
INTEREST IN MARTIN
By Leslie Edwards
Everton emissaries, including manager Harry Catterick, attended the Hibs v Kilmarnock match at Easter Road on Saturday.  The man under notice, I understand, was Hibs’ inside left, Neil Martin, a strapping six-footer who knows how to get goals and who joined Hibs from Queen of the South two seasons ago.  Martin, an Edinburgh man, is about 23-years-old.  Last spring his club turned down an offer of 25,000 pounds for him from Norwich City.  He made his reputation by being the star of the Scotland Under-23 side which faced England’s Under-23 eleven at Sunderland last season.
IN FINAL
Hibs, do not want to part with Martin because they are involved in the Summer Cup final against Aberdeen early in September.  The clubs finished their two-leg tussle level, at four goals each, and Aberdeen won the toss for venue for the decisive third game. 
Everton announce that ground tickets for the match against Tottenham at Goodison Park on August 29, will be on sale between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. this week from the club offices and Liverpool Stadium. 

BUSINESS HOLIDAY FOR A CAMERAMAN
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 11 August 1964
BY Leslie Edwards
Everton's photographic call yesterday produced a gathering of the camera clans, the oddity in one case being that the man behind the lens was himself a player. I have not seen Cary Talbot, the Chester centre forward in action, but in mufti he looks a likely lad and it is clear that he's as handy with a camera as he is with a half chance on the field. Another of the photographers happened to be the son of the famous old-time Scottish player. Gilfedder, who played alongside Jimmy Dunn at Easter Road. It was my sad duty to tell young Gilfedder (who had promised to pass on his father's good wishes to Jimmy Dunn if he met him yesterday) that Dunn died some six months ago.  If all the pictures yesterday prove as lush as the turf on which they were taken they will make a splendid selection.  One could not help wondering as the whole staff positioned themselves for the season what season 1964-5 had in store for them.  Would Fred Pickering get close to Dixie's sixty goals?: would young Alan Humphreys, son of Jack the Welshman who played centre half-back for the club for many seasons, make the grade?; would Alex Young, now looking a good deal happier than when his future was less certain, fit successfully at inside-right ?: would Ray Wilson, one of the greatest backs the game has produced in contemporary times give the defence that little extra expertise to take them from a leading place to the championship again?.  One could depend upon it that some of these thoughts must have crossed the minds of the players themselses. In the case of Brian Harris, who has an ankle knock that will keep him out of the public trial at Goodison Park on Friday, the immediate question would be " When shall I be ready to take my place in an Everton first team in which Dennis Stevens will almost certainly revert to half back and Young to Inside-right for the initial rush of fixtures at the season's start?"  Manager Harry Catterick and his businesslike aides, Tom Eggleston, Ron Lewin and the ever-recurring Gordon Watson were "In the picture" and must have pined, as Jacky Grant did, to be young enough to get in action again.  I said to Jack "How would you like to be playing again—at the now rate?” Typically he replied “I'd love to play again—at any rates.” There is player who loved the game for its own sake and would play for nowt, if necessary, if only his small, wiry frame would stand the racket of soccer in 1964.  It was good to see Goodison Park terraces peopled by some scores of youngster, mostly autograph hunters, who were at lowed in to get a foretaste of the new Goodison with its high-perched trainers' boxes and the barrier of shame now whitewashed and having a grass forecourt which gives the shooter at goal a first-rate sight of target.  It was better to see half a dozen of football's Mrs. Mopps busy up in the stands removing from seats there the grime of the close season. Too often the past, stand patrons have found removed the accumulated dust of the previous three months with the seat of their pants.  Mr. Harry Catterick is likely to finalise his proposal to set the reserve side, then the Youth team on to the first team in successive halves in the public trial, so that the pace for the seniors will be hot from start to finish.  Much better to do this than mix the elevens and introduce some substitutes after the interval.  Quite nostalgic to see the start of a new season ushered in at a familiar venue. Impossible on these occasions not to recall the great figures of the past- the Deans, Dunns, Chedgzoys, Troups, Virrs and countless others who were part of the Everton scene for so many seasons. Let us hope these young men, now paid handsomely for doing what comes naturally, will appreciate that their careers are relatively short and that they'll never come by the bawbees so easily ... 

YOUNG IS TAKEN OFF TRANSFER LIST
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 11 August 1964
TALK WITH MANAGER
MORE SETTLED 
By Leslie Edwards
Everton falls will be delighted to hear the news issued to –day, that the Everton club has officially taken Alex Young off the open- to-transferlist.  Manager Harry Catterick said, when making the announcement:“I have had a long talk with Alex and he told me that he is anxious to stay with the club. In view of this, he has been taken off the open-to-transfer list.  "We are happy he has reached this decision and we hope he will prove a success.  His initial request for a move was made in some haste. We have given him plenty of timeto consider the withdrawal of it.  “Alex has been playing well in training at inside forward, but the true test of these things, of course, is in League matches."  I spoke to Young yesterday at Goodison Park and it was clear he felt more settled about his future now that opportunity arises for him to return to the senior side is decision to stay and the club's to accept his withdrawal will please thousands of his fans.

HE'S STAYING…
Liverpool Daily Post, Wednesday, August 12, 1964
Alex Young the Scottish international forward is staying with Everton, announced manager Harry Catterick yesterday.  Mr. Catterick said Young had told him he was anxious to stay at Goodison Park and in view of this, the player had been taken off the open-to-transfer list.  “We are happy he has reached this decision and we hope he will prove a success. “Alex has been playing well in training at inside forward, but the true test of these things, of course, is in League matches,” said the Everton manager. Brian Harris, the Everton left half, who was expected to take over from Tony Kay, has been ordered to rest following an ankle injury sustained in training. 

ROONEY PLAYS
Coventry Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 12 August 1964
George Rooney, the 17 years old full-back on trial from Everton will have a game in the Reserves trial at Banbury. 

WANT TO DO SOME LONG RANGE FORECASTING?
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 12 August 1964
BY Leslie Edwards
Here's opportunity for followers of our two senior clubs to indulge themselves in a little long-range forecasting. I want from them, by mid-day post on Friday at the latest, a 250 word summary of their hopes, fears and beliefs of their team's prospects for the forthcoming season. The three best will rate payment at £2 2s each: all others published in the first of the 1964-65 Football Echo series on Saturday will earn their writers a guinea each.  No city in the land has better-informed or more discerning fans than ours. We want to know from you whether (and whys Liverpool are likely to retain their title as champions, what chances there are of Everton taking the title for the second time in three seasons; whether Liverpool's hopes in the European Cup are better than their chances in the "other" Cup; whether Evertonians feel their club will be able to tight off the effects of handicap under which they will start. So here's your chance to air football opinions/  Winning letters will be one of many fine features of the "Kick-off " edition of yet another season of Football Echo service. Remember, 250 words limit; entries not later than mid-day post on Friday.  In writing last week on the impossibility of Everton forming an exclusive supporters' club, like Leeds United's and Arsenal's. I said my informant in the matter had said that some of Everton's stands were eighty years old. This is not so Everton were playing at Anfield eighty years ago and dressing in the Sandon Hotel. Everton did not go to their present ground until 1891, so none of the edifice can date back further than sixty-odd years.  I should have appreciated this, but f didn't, when one who has Everton writ large over his heart land cheque book) mentioned eighty years in connection with Everton's main stand. My apologies and thanks to the many who noted the mistake. 
STROKE OF THE BIRCH
Writing from 39 Manica Crescent, Fazakerley, K.W. Birch comments on reader Chambers’ notion that all the world’s again Everton.  He says “Your correspondent seems to have the characteristic possessed by many Evertonians, he doesn’t appear to think very hard.  Has he ever considered why Everton are sometimes disliked? Is it because they are so successful? I think not? Spurs were for many seasons both successful and popular.  Is it, perhaps because Everton are a Northern club? This does not necessarily follow since Sunderland were very popular promotion candidates last season.  “Everton as champions the season before last, drew in away matches last season only about half the number of spectators drawn by their neighbours.  “Mr. Catterick has already complained about his bad luck in having wing half-back out of the early games of the forthcoming season. I would like to ask whether it is bad luck that a player is suspended for coming too often under the notice of referees? 
“To take Mr. Chambers’ attitude, however, and accept that Everton will always be disliked is only burying one’s head in the sand and leaves the club little hope of being the most respected, popular and successful team in the country.” 

EVERTON SENIORS TO BE SET PROBLEMS
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 13 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
Everton, who have not had a public practice match for five years—charity, which has always benefited from receipts knows this too well! -put on a novel match to-morrow evening at Goodison Park (7.30). The team in blue, with Stevens at left half-back in place of the injured Harris, is being set the problem of facing two other teams in the course of 90 minutes first the potential reserve side playing in white; then, in the second-half, the might of the club's Youth eleven.  Gabriel, who will miss three of Everton's initial fixtures owing to suspension incurred last season, appears in his usual spot at right half-back in the public trial game.  What makes the two-games-in-one occasion more intriguing, more attractive, is the fact that the first team's opponents will be taken aside before they go on the field to be given tactical problems to use which may be new to their opponents. It will be interesting to see the first team's reaction to them. "It will certainly make 'em think." says Mr. Catterick.  There is no surprise that Alex Young will line up on the right of Fred Pickering. Everyone will want to see how the one-time centre forward fares in a new role.  The trial will give the city opportunity of a first look in Everton colours of Ramon Wilson, the back Everton signed from Huddersfield Town in close season. He is partnered on the right by Alex Parker, still a great favourite at Goodison Park and a man who has been on the side lines through injury all too lang.  In Whites' eleven will be Frank D'Arcy, who turned professional only 24 hours ago. Sandy Brown, George Sharples, who turned down Scunthorpe's offer a day or two ago, and Johnny Morrissey at outside left.  The Youth team playing in amber includes Barnett in goal, a young professional who formerly played for Northwich and England boy s; Curwen (Blackpool and England boys); Smith, the former Collegiate schoolboy: David Grant son of "wor Jacky": Hurst also formerly of Blackpool and England boys, and Veall, who has had many fine games with the first team.  'The teams on view will be: Blues.—Rankin: Parker, Wilson; Gabriel, Labone, Stevens; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple. Whites.—West; D'Arcy, Brown: Sharples, Heslop, Rees: Shaw, Harvey, Hill, Humphreys, Morrissey.  Ambers.—Barnett; Wright, Curwen; Clark, Smith, Grant; Roberts, Glover, Hurst, Husband, Veall.

EVERTON TO-NIGHT
Liverpool Echo - Friday 14 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
At Goodison Park, half of whose accommodation must be closed to-night owing to extensive alterations which are not quite complete. Everton give their fans the chance to see three teams in action; opportunity to buy ground tickets for the League game against Tottenham on August 29 and a first view, as an Everton player of Ramon Wilson, the Huddersfield Town and England back who has at last got his wish to figure with a First Division club.  I noted when Mr. Catterick named his senior team for the public trial, proceeds of which go to charity, he was careful not to label Blues as the first team. It is possible, I suppose, that the trial could cause changes to be made for the game at Stoke a week hence. It is good to see Alex Parker back in his accustomed position; meanwhile Sandy Brown lines up for the time being with Whites.  Most interest to-night will centre on Alex Young.  He is capable of giving his club a good game in any forward position and those who maintained that a place should always be found for him somewhere will be delighted that he has withdrawn his transfer request and found a niche at inside-right, leaving Dennis Stevens to drop back to the half-back line.  In to-night's match Gabriel, under suspension for the early part of the season, will play at right half-back, leaving Stevens to fill the gap caused by the absence, through ankle injury, of Brian Harris.  What with Wilson's debut and Young's appearance in a new role and the fact that both "reserve" and Youth teams will each be engaged for 45 minutes this trial looks as though it will attract an unusually big attendance. It is the first public trial Everton have had for five seasons.  The first team which bears the heat of two extra-fast  45 minutes stints will be:  Rankin; Parker, Wilson; Gabriel, Labone, Stevens; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple.

THE BIG EVERTON INSIDE-RIGHT QUESTION REMAINS UNANSWERED
Liverpool Daily Post, Saturday, August 15, 1964
NO CERTAINTY THAT YOUNG CAN TAKE OVER ROLE
FIRST TEAM MEN FACE PLENTY OF COMPETITION
EVERTON BLUES 1, WHITE 1
EVERTON BLUES 3, YOUTH ELEVEN 1
By Leslie Edwards
Two matches at Goodison Park last night for the price of one, but both of them of only 45 minutes duration.  There were 15,000 people on three sides of the ground-the fourth was closed for alterations- to see the first team tackle the reserves. After the interval when the Youth team had their chance, they were three goals down so quickly an air of anti-climax soon had spectators leaving.  In the end I doubt whether there were 7,000 to hear the final whistle.  Thus, what began as a good idea was shown to have limitations.  Yet nothing could dim the excellence of the reserve side’s splendid first half when going flat out from the beginning they were unlucky not to have had three goals in the first twenty minutes.  They were well worth their share of the honours, and it is clear that whatever may have been the case in the past men currently holding first team places with the club have plenty of competition.
THE QUESTION
The question everyone wanted to see answered affirmatively was whether Alex Young would fit in the senior attack at inside-right.  The attack at inside-right.  The question remains unanswered.  He made many cute passes; he headed against the bar, but one cannot say with certainly on this evidence whether he will suit Everton’s or the crowd’s book.  But he’s still a great favourite as the crowd showed when they greeted some of his early play with their chant “Alex Young! Alex Young!” one oddity was that Alex Parker captained the seniors.  He looked absolutely fit again and played with that verve and enthusiasm which characterised him before injury kept him out of the first team for a long spell.  Alongside he had in the new buy, Ramon Wilson, a man who did his job with a minimum of fuss.  He is the complete back and young Shaw, who faced him before the interval did well even to threaten to beat him much less leave him behind.
IN NAME ONLY
The reserve side is reserve in name only, I rate most of them as players who would get a first team place with any Division 1 side outside the city. You can number West, brown, Heslop, Hill and Morrissey among them.  Heslop tended to command Pickering at all phases of the match, Morrissey was always dangerous; Hill general led the line well and Brown and West were as good as they have ever been.  It was the first team’s demonstration of how chances should be taken which kept the score level at 1-1, Humphreys, Hill and Morrissey (twice) went within inches of scoring before Young’s cute lob to the far post after a barrage of shots had been crowded out produced the chance for Gabriel to sail in typically and head the first goal.  Sharples with a right footed surprise shot from a distance, hammered the ball past Rankin to put the sides level after 24 minutes. Even allowing for the fact that the seniors may not have put as much as the others into their play it was a surprisingly forward performance from the supposedly weaker side.
RAMON SHOT
Vernon, with a clever lob and then a ramrod shot from a nice pass by Pickering put the first team two goals up in quick time against the Youth eleven. Inside six minutes Pickering had made it 3-0, Vernon scored from short range before Veall, the one player of experience in the Youth X1 score with a hard swerving shot to make it 1-4. Pickering got a head injury and needed attention before he was brought down late in the game by Pearson, at right back, and Vernon scored from the penalty spot to get his fourth and his side’s fifth goal.  Teams; -
Blues; - Rankin; Parker, Wilson; Gabriel, Labone, Stevens; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple.
Whites; - West; D’Arcy, Brown; Sharples, Heslop, Rees; Shaw, Harvey, Hill, Humphreys, Morrissey.
Youth; Barnett; Pearson, Curwen; Clark, Smith, Grant; Roberts, Glover, Hurst, Husband, Veall.
Referee. Mr. I. Mitchell (Prescot). 

EVERTON'S RESERVES WERE IMPRESSIVE 
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 15 August 1964
HELSOP KEEPS TIGH GRIP ON PICKERING
By Leslie Edwards
That Everton fans still have a great regard for Alex Young was demonstrated at Goodison Park last night when the club held a public trial for the first time for five seasons.  Young had no sooner headed the ball against the bar from a free kick by Vernon when many of the 15,000 people present took up the joyful chant "Alex Young, Alex Young!"  Yet part from this and the lobbed pass Young contrived for Gabriel to score against Whites, who provided first-half opposition for the first team, the player did little to indicate one way or another whether he will be a success at inside right.  Admittedly, a trial match of this kind is not his métier, but it seemed to me that in the heat of an August evening against a Whites team which was virtually the reserves, Young found the pace disconcerting.  That he still possesses every football art is beyond question.  Pickering, the player who deposed him as leader of the attack, also had a game in minor key. He got a goal in his side's five in the second half again the Youth XI, but in the first 45 minutes at least he found the going hard and unrewarding.  Heslop, the former Newcastle United centre half, saw to it that he got little of the ball in the air and not a lot of it when it was pushed towards him along the lush, green turf.  Pickering also suffered a second-half knock-out when accidentally kicked on the head by a defender. 
RESERVES SHINE 
The best thing about this two-games-in-one trial was the showing of the reserves.  Most of them would get places in any other First Division side except Everton or Liverpool.  Having only 45 minutes to play, they made an all-out effort. I doubt if any stranger not knowing the composition of the teams could have differentiated between first and second team. Morrissey, West, Brown, Rees, Hill, and Heslop could scarcely have done more and one cannot think that the seniors were deliberately giving them a chance to show what they could do.  Normally public trials are misleading. This one, I think, showed that most of the Everton first team men will need to fight hard to keep their places.  I liked the back, D'Arcy, who only this week signed professional forms. It might have been that Rees and Sharples, the reserve wing half backs, looked better than they are because Vernon and Young are both forwards more concerned with starting movements than stopping them.  Whites might easily have scored three times before Gabriel got his goal. The equaliser came from Sharples with a tremendous drive from far out soon afterwards.  There was an air of anti- climax after the Interval when the Youth team, starting from cold, gave away three goals in six minutes. Vernon got twoof them, Pickering the other.  Vernon later scored from short range and from the penalty spot after Pickering had been brought down.  Parker, back to fitness, captained the senior side and in general played well though he was sometimes beaten on the outside by Morrissey.  Parker's partner, Ramond Wilson did his job quietly but effectively as one would expect from an England man.  Young Shaw, the light-haired Liverpool boy, put up a promising performance against him although somewhat outclassed.  Once it settled down, the Youth team did reasonably well in a very tough assignment. Veall got their only goal with a hard-hit swerving shot.  The son of the former Everton half back, Grant, showed skill and strength.  There was much to like about Clark at right half back, Hurst centre forward and Husband, inside right.  Long before the end, half the 15,000 had gone believing there was little more worth seeing, but they must have been well satisfied with a first-rate first half fought at competition pace and with great spirit. 

READERS LONG-RANGER FORECASTS FOR EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 15 August 1964
Everton will impress
My belief is that Everton who are still welding themselves together after two good seasons can do much better yet. The strengthening of the defence with the introduction of Ray Wilson, plus the inclusion of Alex Young, a goal-maker and schemer in the forward line to partner Fred Pickering, could and should be a marked improvement in goals for and against. I believe Everton will further consolidate their claim to be one of the most impressive soccer sides in the country.  I fear the only thing to upset this belief is that Everton may again run into a spate of injuries to class players, or that certain players by their own impulsiveness may not have learned their lesson and further weaken the team through suspension. 
My hopes are to see Everton win the double this season and so emulate Spurs and Villa and to be the first Northern club to do so. To watch cleaner and more sportingly played football with strong referees who will make a point of punishing all forms of ungentlemanly gestures and time-wasting. I hope, too, that as a result of the bad publicity given to the game that the true and right spirit of good sportsmanship may be renewed within the game. - D. ROSS, 174 Queens Drive, Walton. 
THE OLDEST GIMMICK
Everton can regain their Championship Crown by using the oldest gimmick in the game, i.e., playing football.  Time and again we have seen them making progress using the ball, and finding their man- a delight to watch.  Then a rough tackle from the opposing half back, or a disputed referee's decision, will turn them into a niggling outfit. The rhythm is lost and the initiative passes to their opponents.  Hard tackling is necessary, but there is a difference between hard tackling, where you go in to win the ball, and the tackling where you go in to stop your opponent.  The latter method gives the player an inferiority complex (I can't beat him, but I can stop him altitude Once Everton's temperament is upset, by questionable tactics, they sometimes try to match the opposition, and, being on the whole, a team of light-weights, they come off second best. Derek Temple and Scott, also Alec Young abhor the heavy stuff, and they unfortunately are the chosen targets if any rough stuff creeps in.  With Parker back again, along with his new colleague, Roy Wilton, they should have a steadying influence on the team.  Parker's forays upfield and his enthusiasm make the forwards play football. The major portion of the spectators want to see the finer points of the game. Only a small proportion of so-called Evertonians advise the players to "Get stuck in" Ignore this advice Everton and play football! James Kean, 51 Elkstone Road, Liverpool 11. 
MUST ACCEPT BAD BREAKS
Followingtheirchampionship.  Everton after a disappointing playing season, managed to finish third. This year, with reasonable fortune one would expect them to do equally well. Judged by last season's play, defensive tactics need attention. I still think with astonishment of high balls sent to Alex Young and the energy he dissipated trying to make contact.  We have read of Mr. Moores hopes of the new season, as we did last year.  Is it too much to hope that certain members of the team will this season endeavour to accept the hard luck and bad break that are bound to come with a little greater philosophy.  Certainly discussions” with the referee are a waste of time and worse.  Our neighbours with their well-earned title and knowledge gained are bounded to be a good proposition for further honours.  However, my money is on the Blues with the hope that I may see more displays like that served up against Sheffield United last season, when a national critic wrote that Everton’s team showing and Alex Young’s individual performance were the finest he had ever witnessed.- F.N. Harding, 39 Oulton Road, Liverpool 16. 
AN UNBIASED VIEW
Having in the past bombarded you with letters (the personal satisfaction and fleeting fame gained when they were published being the solo aim) I fairly leapt to the inkstand at the prospect of personal gain as well! Confident, therefore, in my expectation of two guineas, I feel that the footballing public deserves to benefit from my great experience and totally unbiased view of the game.  Liverpool, although their amazing defeat at the hands of Reykjavik will come as a severe shock, will, nevertheless, make a heartwarming recovery and avoid relegation by one point in a grandstand finish, winning their last eight games to clinch third-from-bottom place.  To ease the tremendous tension of the struggle during the matches, the Kop will sing selections from Ivor Novello and Lionel Bart arranged and conducted by Fritz Spiegel.  The soccer world will be stunned when, as a gesture of thanksgiving, Bill Shankley will become a Cistercian monk and take a vow of silence. 
Everton, on the other hand, will have a superb season, cleaning up the League Championship, F.A. Cup, Grand National, the Nobel Prize for Sports, and a series of insulting newspaper attacks, accusing them of dirty play, negative tactics and starting the First World War.  Learning from their abortive tilt at Inter-Milan, Harry Catterick will invent a sophisticated 1-9-1 defensive plan which will enable Everton to win all their matches by 1-0, with Fred Pickering scoring 40 times from attacking left back position.  Alex Young will object to being played out of the first team, but there will be no protests or demonstrations because no one will want to watch Everton win 1-0 every week.  It’s far more exciting playing shove-ha’penny or knitting.  An odd prediction you might say? Stranger things have happened- Michael Shankland, 287 Walton Breck Road, Liverpool 4. 
SUPPORTERS CAN HELP
Although Everton have been overshadowed by their rivals Liverpool, I am sure they will not be dismayed.  With the acquisition of Pickering and Wilson, I think Everton have a great chance of winning at least one title in the coming season.  In practically every position Everton have a player reserve worthy of many other teams’ first X1.  This could be the telling-point as the long season can be grueling for the same 11 players.  If Everton can play as well away as at home, they can recapture earlier glory.  They must not let the absence for the time being of Tony Kay upset them.  The defence, if nearly the same though the season, will, I am sure, be very hard to penetrate.  The attack, with the addition of Pickering, will score plenty of goals if Vernon keeps his form as provider as well as scorer.  The wingers had the speed to worry most full backs and the inside forwards the ability to score as well as provide goals.  Supporters can have a great deal to do with Everton’s success.  Their support can spur the team when in difficulty-E. Spencer (aged 15), 42 Courthope Road, Walton. 
BOTH IN TOP SIX
It is reasonable to expect both Merseyside teams to finish in the top six positions in Division 1, and barring injuries we may have a repeat of last season’s “Merseyside Monoploy.”  As the ultimate champions are usually in the top three by December, let us hope one, if not both, local teams are well situated then Everton have the better chance in the League, even though they must overcome suspension (Jimmy Gabriel) and other difficulties before getting into their stride.  Dennis Stevens will make a good half back in the absence of the regular half backs; Parker and Wilson should soon settle down into a brilliant full back combination. Ray Wilson has something to live up to though- only one right winger, Murray and Chelsea, scored a League goal against Mick Meagan in 1963-64, and that was a penalty! Everton have scored 100 goals three times before, and they were champions each time.  Perhaps a Young-Pickering-Vernon trio could score another timely 100 goals, helped by their team-mates.- Mokrysz, 3 Regent Avenue, Liverpool 14. 

MRS. CATTERICK 
Liverpool Echo - Monday 17 August 1964
Wife Of Everton Chief
By Leslie Edwards
Mrs. Nancy Catterick, wife of the Everton F.C. manager, was reported to be comfortable to -day at the Crosby nursing home to which she was taken by ambulance from her home on Friday evening.  Mr. Catterick said to-day!  "My wife had beer unwell for some days last week. I got the shock of my life on returning from the match at Goodison Park on Friday evening to find an ambulance leaving my home as arrived.  "I then learned that my wife had become ill and that neighbours had called the ambulance. Yesterday her condition was not good, but the news to-day is that she is comfortable.  Mr. and Mrs. Catterick, whose home at Ainsdale have an eight  years - old daughter, who has gone to star with Mr. Catterick's parents at Stockport' while her mother is ill. 

ALEX PARKER –CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 18 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
Everton yesterday named their captain for the season as Alex Parker-sound choice and one in which the senior players had their say.  The position has been vacant since Roy Vernon, captain last season, advised his club that he would like to relinquish the role.  As the appointment carries no extra, financially, it is hardly surprising there was no rush of applicants for the job.  After all, it is an extra responsibility which calls for additional qualities besides merely being able to hold a position in the team.  Parker in action is an inspiring man.  He is modest and undemonstrative and says little, on field or off, but when a game is going badly it is usually he who takes the ball upfield (as Gerry Byrne did notably at Anfield on Saturday) to show how it should be cracked at goal.  He may not score many goals, though I have known him get some very good ones, but his courageous rallying of the side is unmistakable.  Where it came off best was in the drawn Cup game, at Charlton, in Hickson’s day.  Everton rescued themselves from dilemma when down close on time, and Parker was the man who pushed the recovery button.  Everton manager, Harry Catterick, says; rightly, that captains are born, not made.  But the predicament when there is no born captain available is to make someone a leader.  I would not say Parker was born to lead, but he has been long in the game, plays it sportingly and coolly and is less likely to lose his head, or feet, than most of his contemporaries up and down the country.  He will have the support of all ranks.  Others who must have been in the running for consideration once Vernon vacated the job were Brian Labone, Ramond Wilson, and Jimmy Gabriel.  Labone, with five or six First Divisions under his belt, had good claims.  It might not have been wise to choose Wilson, despite his great experience with England, because after all he is a new bot at Goodison Park and commanding a team so early after joining the club might have raised difficulties.  Gabriel, has, of course, captained the side in Vernon’s absence.  But unhappily he must miss some of the opening games of the new season. 

LETTERS
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 19 August 1964
PUTTING HIM RIGHT
A great number of people have taken up reader K. W. Birch on his argument about the respective drawing power in away matches of our senior sides. To represent the bunch, here Is Mr. A. J. Rayner, of 45 Hilton Street, Birkenhead:  " Your correspondent, K, W. Birch, starts off by inferring that Evertonians don't appear to think very hard and then immediately falls into that category himself.  " I am only concerned with one sentence in his letter, and I quote: 'Everton, as champions the season before last, drew, in away matches last season, only about half the number of spectators drawn by their neighbours'  "So let me put him right.  "Everton's figures for 21 away games last season were: aggregate 648,873, average 30,899; and Liverpool's figures were: aggregate 633.591, average 30,171.  "The previous season, when Everton were not actual champions until after their last game, their figures were:  aggregate 728,061, average 34,670, for the same number of away games, and Liverpool's were: aggregate 582,823, average 28,792.  Even a Liverpool supporter could total that as Everton 1,376.934, and Liverpool 1,196,214for away games in the last two seasons.  "And just in case Mr. Birch wants to juggle with the home figures for the same period, I'll give them to him, and perhaps prevent him putting his foot in it again.  "They are: Everton 2,117,580 and Liverpool 1,847,377, and in conclusion I venture to say that very few, if any, clubs in this country have better figures." 

THANK GOOD NESS CRITIC DON’T PICK THE EVERTON TEAM
Liverpool Daily Post- Thursday, August 20, 1964
Mr. Eric Horsfall (Bootle) lines up strongly against the critic. He writes; “So Alex Young has again been written off by newspaper reporters as not being the man to fill the inside forward bill for Everton. This after just one, display-and that in a practice match. “What rot! There is only one consolation-thank goodness Harry Catterick still picks the Everton team and not football reporters! I tremble to think what sort of a side we should be fielding if they had their way??!
“I hope Mr. Catterick will give him his chance in League football proper, for it is only there that we can make any sort of fair judgement. Young, I know, is an idol in this city, because he plays football in the way we like to see it played. “We are willing him to prove wrong all those who would have him out of the team and out of the city. “What we should remember all the time is that genuine football skill such as Young possesses is found only rarely and it is all too easy to realise this only when it is too late. “If Everton could have replaced Young by a better man, I have no doubt it would have been done, but in my submission, they will wait a long time to unearth a player of such pure football ball craft.”

HARRIS MAY PLAY AT STOKE 
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 20 August 1964
TEAM CHOICE TOMORROW
IN TRAINING
By Michael Charters
Everton wing half Brian Harris, who injured an ankle in training last week, has recovered to the extent of being able to resume active work in the past 48 hours.  Manager Harry Catterick hopes that Harris will be fit enough by the end of the week to be available for the opening game of the season at Stoke on Saturday.  Everton confirmed to-day with the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup authority the dates for their first round tie against Oslo. They will visit Oslo on September 23 with the return game at Goodison Park on October 14. 

BRAIN HARRIS MAY BE FIT
Liverpool Daily Post, Friday, August 21, 1964
By Horace Yates
Everton will have Gabriel (suspended) and Kay (relieved of playing duties) watching from the stand, but yesterday there was a more optimistic announcement concerning Brian Harris, who has had a week’s rest following an ankle injury. Indications are that this wise precaution may have the effect of putting Harris into the half back line, the hub of the team, which would have looked unusual indeed if Gabriel, Kay and Harris had all to be marked absent.  Manager Harry Catterick has this week been wrestling with the problem of half back selection.  What his decision is we will know to-day.  With Harris fit he can leave Stevens at wing half in his experimental role, which would provide Alex Young with another and better opportunity to lay claim to the inside right spot. If confidence in Young was seriously undermined by his practice showing, then Stevens at inside forward and Sharples at half back would appear the most reasonable possibility. Now that there is a defensive reinforcement with the recruitment of Ray Wilson at full back and the return of Alex Parker, so unfortunate last season when playing some of the finest football of his career.  It did not seem too unlikely that Everton might be encouraged to place additional emphasis on attack.  The defence should be well able to look after itself.  This being the case it would be an ideal opportunity for Young to come roaring back to popularity.  Whether he does or not depends entirely on himself, always providing of course, Mr. Catterick gives him his opportunity.  With Young exploiting a sort of Ian St. John role by feeding the shooting stars like Vernon, Pickering and Temple from the rear, all manner of interesting possibilities arises. The great query as I see it is whether or not Young has the strength and stamina for such an exacting sole. Through the helpful co-operation of Liverpool, Everton can now go ahead and confirm the playing of the second leg of their Inter Cities Fairs Cup game against Oslo at Goodison Park on October 14, the first leg being due for decision on September 23.
MCILROY DOUBTS
Stoke have doubts about the fitness of Jimmy McIlroy.  He is receiving treatment for a knee strain, and this has restricted his training considerably.  So much store is placed on ability of the Irishman that Stoke are prepared to make a last-minute decision.  Should he have to be ruled out Stoke will include nineteen-year-old Gerry Bridgwood who scored six goals in his sixteen League appearances last season. Stoke City; Leslie; Asprey, Allen; Palmer, Kinnell, Skeels; Dobing, Violet, Ritchie, McIlroy, or Bridgwood, Bebington.

EVERTON NEWS
Liverpool Echo - Friday 21 August 1964
By Michael Charters
Everton's task at Stoke to-morrow, touch as it would be in normal circumstances, is made even more difficult by the team selection problems caused by Tony Kay's enforced absence and Jimmy Gabriel's suspension. There were fears also that a third wing half—Brian Harris—would also be out of the reckoning through the ankle injury he received last week, but he has been back in training for the past couple of days and there are hopes that he will be in the team when it is named later to-day.  The fact that he has missed so much of the vital preseason build-up in training while waiting for the ankle to recover could tell against him, however, as he will be short of match practice, even of the trial game type.
Much depends on Young 
With Denis Stevens having to drop hack to wing half, much of Everton's attacking effectiveness will depend now on how Alex Young slots into the inside right position. Can he make the openings for the twin spearhead of Fred Pickering and Roy Vernon? Can he change his style to do the fetching and carrying needed from an inside man?  Everton's form in these difficult opening weeks of the programme will depend a great deal on how Young answers these questions on the field.  Many thousands of Everton supporters will he going to Stoke on a trip made much easier these days by using the M6 from the Haydock entrance to the motorway. They will be looking forward to seeing the new Alex Parker- Ramon Wilson link at full-back and hoping that their team can get off to a good start although there must be reservations until manager Harry Catterick is able to field a full strength side.  Everton had so many injury problems last season that they are due for a change of fortune in this direction. It  may be they will be struggling to get going for the next  week or so—many supporters wear disappointed with the seniors' form in the public trial a week ago—but a good performance at Stoke can go a long way towards removing  these doubts. 

STEVENS AND HARRIS ARE WING HALVES
Liverpool Echo - Friday 21 August 1964
EVERTON AT STOKE
McILROY UNFIT
By Michael Charters
Brain Harris has recovered from his ankle injury and will be at left half for Everton in their opening game at Stoke City to-morrow.  The other wing half position goes, as expected to Dents Stevens, with Alex Young at inside right.  With all stand accommodation sold, Stoke expect a 40,000 plus attendance. Many thousands of Everton supporters will be making the trip. Stoke Inside forward Jimmy Mcllroy, who has been under treatment for a strained knee, failed to pass a fitness test to-day.  His place will be taken by Gerry Bridgwood, only 19, who last season made 16 League appearances, mainly in the right wing, and scored six goals.  Stoke City; Leslie; Asprey, Allen; Palmer, Killeen, Skeels; Dobing, Viollet, Ritchie, Bridgwood, Bebbington.  Everton; Rankin; Parker, Wilson; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple.

EVERTON HAVE FIRE POWER IN PLENTY-IF ALEX YOUNG CAN APPLY THE SPARK
Liverpool Daily Post-Saturday, August 22, 1964
By Horace Yates
WELCOME FOR YOUNG
After all the controversy over Alex Young, Evertonians to a man will welcome the new opportunity the Scot has been given by being nominated at inside right in the team to visit Stoke.  Those who have long contended that Young played more like an inside forward than a centre forward can have their theories put to the test.  If Young does succeed what a load will be lifted off manager Harry Catterick’s shoulders!  There is fire power in plenty from Pickering, Vernon and temple, providing the service is adequate. Young must know his performance is under the closest scrutiny and while Mr. Catterick points out that it was the defence rather than the attack which lost Everton the title, the team would be all the stronger and more attractive for the re-emergence of Young as a star. The availability of Brian Harris is a cheering thought.  To be without Gabriel and Kay is bad enough.  Had Harris fallen by the wayside as well.  Everton’s problems might have been crippling.
WILSON DEBUT
The debut of Ray Wilson, one of the strongest and fastest full backs in the country, to some extent off-sets any loss of power and efficiency at half back, I have little doubt Wilson will repay handsomely the trouble and expense involved in bringing him from a reluctant Huddersfield.  Stevens should take to the half back role naturally, for even as a forward he was always a bulwark in defence.  He may not be a Kay, for his kind are few and far between, but Stevens is unlikely to full.  All the disappointments are not in the Everton camp however, for Stoke are unable to call on Jimmy McIlroy, the gifted Irishman, who has been the real menace behind the Stoke attack, since Burnley were sufficiently short-sighted to release him.  In his place is the nineteen-year-old Bridgwood and at centre forward the rangy Ritchie, so dangerous in the air, could emerge this season as one of the most dangerous leaders in the game. Victory at stoke will be far from easy and if Everton earn an opening draw, as I think they will, it will be an eminently satisfactory start.  Stoke City; Leslie; ASsprey, Allen; Palmer, Kinnell, Skells; Dobing, Viollet, Ritchie, Bridgwood, Bebbington. 
Everton; Rankin; Parker, Wilson; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple. 

FOOTBALL STANDARDS MUST BE RAISED
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 22 August 1964
By Harry Catterick, Everton Manager
In the past two years the balance of football power has swung to Merseyside, recalling the monopoly held in the pre-Munich seasons by Manchester. Now Liverpool rates as the top soccer centre and, frankly, there is no population more worthy of the best than the fans of this seaport.  The tremendous support and encouragement the public have given to Liverpool in the past season and that which they accorded to us in our championship year has meant that the two great clubs of the city have become amongst the most important in the land. The coming season could spark off even more enthusiasm than the last two.  For we have Liverpool aiming for glory in the European Cup while we are also preparing at Goodison Park to make our mark on the Continent in the Fairs Cities Cup.  This means that we both hope to be entertaining top football combinations in the coming months and maybe both clubs will write their names in the international record books as only Tottenham Hotspur have so far.  We had only a short experience of the European Cup last season when we went out in the first round to the ultimate winners of the competition Inter-Milan.  But we gained some satisfaction from that defeat when we learned that Inter proclaimed that the two hardest games they had in the entire competition were against Everton. We are honoured to be granted that distinction and hope that in the very near future, we may be able to meet Inter again…with different result. 
FINEST SIDE 
Naturally we wish Liverpool all good fortune as they renew their passports for the trips to come. They proved themselves to be the finest side in the League last year by rounding off the season with magnificent victories at home and away to lift the title.  I feel that a continuation of that form enthusiasm, determination and skill will enable them to be one of the best teams in the competition.  They have a half-back line of remarkable consistency, strength and skill…the essential back-bone of any side.  In front they proved to have the penetrative qualities which are going to be so necessary to combat the current Continental - style defence packing.  It's a fantastic experience as we learned in Milan. The Cup Final is a mere training stint by comparison. But this is an atmosphere in which we have to live and endure if we are to take our place at the summit of World soccer. 
SYMPATHY
One manager more than any other has my sympathy Tottenham Hotspur's Bill Nicholson. The loss of inside forward, John White, a player who, one felt had even greater things to give, was a tragic and grievous blow to his club—and family.  Bill has now lost Blanchflower and White, his link men; Bobby Smith his centre-forward dynamo, has moved on to Brighton; Dave McKay of the all-out drive has to prove his fitness after sustaining a broken leg in the Cup Winners' Cup competition.  Now "Nick" has to recast his team and probably his plans, too, to create a new Tottenham. And it won't be easy to produce a side as good as the one that so recently proved itself at home and abroad as one of the outstanding club sides of all time.  I wish I could say that all was set fair in the barometer of football as we start a new season. But, obviously, there are things which concern us very deeply and about which I cannot comment at this stage.  There are greater rewards offered than ever before in our winter game, but they  will have to be earned, and the standard of football all-round will have to improve to attract the number of supporters who are being asked to pay increased admittance charges (in a great number of cases) to  meet the fat pay packets of to-day's professional players.  Complacency has gone.  We have to work harder at the game than ever before recalling that in rather less than two years we stage the wonderful World Cup showpiece.  Time is not on our aide.  The public are well aware of the sort of remuneration that is possible in the game to-day. They are going to be judge and jury at the highest possible level.  We will have to live with harsher criticism than we have experienced in the past and, at the same time, raise our standards and entertainment value so that everybody will agree that the finest thing that Soccer ever did was to overthrow the maximum wage.  For clubs can only share out proportionately from income. That is the only measure of future prosperity. 

TOM EGGLESTON ON TRAINING
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 22 August 1964
NO SUCH THING AS A MAGIC FORMULA
How well I remember the opening paragraph in the introduction to Walter Winterbottom’s book, "Training for Soccer," which said: "Anyone who has seriously tried to coach soccer knows that there is no such a thing as a magic formula that will make ordinary players into world-beaters."  So, let me say at once that I shall not disclose any extraordinary methods of training, because as far as I know, there are none. BUT, by hard training and determined practice, real progress can be made in achieving a very high level of fitness and all-round skill.  Skill is the most important factor in soccer, but a player needs also to be fit in order to perform his skill efficiently while under the stresses of modern, high-speed soccer.  It is in this factor of fitness that the greatest improvement has been made in soccer in recent years. I remember the rather tiresome, unimaginative stuff they called training in my playing days. Generally dull and boring, with ball-work down to a minimum, and the only objective in the number of laps one could run.  To-day, great importance is based on a player's weight, his diet—yes, even his blood count, and especially his number of heart-beats per minute. By measuring the function of the heart one can follow, with great accuracy, fluctuations in the physical condition of a player. Medicine is playing a greater part than ever before in the development of soccer. 
DIFFICULT TO EVALUATE 
When we speak of a player's technical and tactical ability we can say fairly accurately what is right and what is wrong, but when we speak of a player's fitness and stamina we find this much more difficult to evaluate.  So regular tests are made and recorded on stamina, speed, agility, &c, and a more accurate assessment can readily be made on any player at any time.  Observations will also show that the player is required to run at varying speed, in different directions, with or without the ball, combined with frequent startings and stopping.  This type of activity and movement is extremely demanding on one's oxygen supply, so it would seem, therefore, sensible to prepare a training procedure to improve fitness for soccer on similar lines and to seek to overload the circulatory and reapirstary systems by intensive bursts of activity, interspersed with equally short periods of rest. 
PRE-SEASON TRAINING 
When compiling a pre-season training programme, lasting usually about four weeks, a weekly programme should be planned; making progressive aims for stamina and general conditioning in the early stages, and then emphasis on the build-up of speed, &c., after a fairly high level of fitness has been obtained.  Generally, all young footballers are basically keen and enthusiastic in their early stages of development, and it is important that this enthusiasm should be maintained and not lost by dull, monotonous training.  Training must be kept interesting and enjoyable and have a certain amount of light-hearted fun in it, but not to the extent of eliminating the hard, punishing type of work needed to test and develop the all-Important factors of stamina, speed and power.  During the whole of the pre-season training period, a regular weekly record is taken of each player’s body weight. This is, in certain instances, taken daily. Also regular charting of pulse rates and pulse rate recovery.  Players are constantly reminded of the great importance of adequate sleep, rest and relaxation, and to the careful daily attention to the general condition of their feet.  Once the season has got well under way it is only natural that the main emphasis of the training programme is the development of skill, especially with the younger players, group functional training and the development of team play.  In practice, players are always more receptive to functional situations that occur regularly in match play, and learn much more quickly from them. Skill practice is also more beneficially absorbed when performed in a football environment or match situation than when completely isolated from game conditions.  Valuable coaching of skills and tactics can be given during five or six-a-side football. Players seem to grasp the essential of the skill or tactics more quickly and appear to acquire a better technique and sense of timing than in practices performed in third settings. Because of this, small sided matches are a regular and popular feature in our training programmes.  It safe to say, therefore, that no general theme of training is the complete answer to any club's need. The type of training must continually be altered to meet new requirements. At some particular period, emphasis may be on fitness, or on skill practice, or on tactical issues. But, in the main, the three principles of soccer —technique, tactics and fitness (all equally Important:  If one is missing the others are not so effective)—must always be the basic structures on which to build any training programme. 

I’M DELIGTED TO JOIN THE SOCCER MADE CITY
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 22 August 1964
Says, Ramon Wilson, Everton New Full-Back
I find it very difficult to believe that I have actually pulled up my roots, left Huddersfield and re-planted myself in Liverpool, because I had imagined that I would spend all my playing days in Huddersfield. Several times during my twelve years there, I wondered whether I was doing the right thing for myself and my family by staying and a year ago I definitely decided to make a move but after thinking about it for some time came to the conclusion that, all things considered, I would remain. My wife was bred and born in Huddersfield and this fact had considerable bearing on my decision. Having made up my mind, and comfortably settled in a new house, the Huddersfield club suddenly decided that I should go. Everton displayed interest and here I am.  The welcome which I have received on all sides and the kindness at to me has made the move far easier than I would have believed possible and writing this short article gives me an opportunity to thank and acknowledge these facts. A footballer changing his employers is no different from any other man changing from one firm to another in a different town. Because he is working, he leaves his family and moves ahead of them and goes into "digs" until he can find a house.  I can easily imagine that this could be a very lonely period for anyone anybody so situated, but the boys at Everton and the people of Liverpool have been for too kind to allow that to happen to me and I am grateful to them for it.  In writing an article such as this, it is quite impossible to do it without making comparisons between the club one has left and the one has joined, but in doing this I would not want to give the impression that I am running down the club with which I spent so many happy years.  Far from it; the differences are there and they make an immediate impression.  The reason behind such differences must be one of money. Liverpool has the reputation of being a soccer mad city and from what I have seen I could not contradict this. With its vast population and two good teams, it is obvious that the revenues the clubs must be greatly in excess a Second Division club a smaller town and greater resources mean greater facilities.  Thus the most obvious point is twat whereas in Huddersfield you got the impression that they waited for things to happen, at Goodison they make them happen.  In every way joining Everton has been an eye-opener.  In the first place, I am in the curious position of having had not inconsiderable international experience and yet I have played in only about half-a-dozen first division matches. These were in my early days. Before Huddersfleld began to grace the Second Division.  I have been told of the atmosphere at Goodison by capacity gates and I can well believe everything I have heard. A ground such as this with its magnificent stands filled by Evertonian fans must develop an atmosphere which nearly crackles. This will suit me well; I appreciate atmosphere.  Ina very short time I shall be wearing the Everton blue and be going into action for my new club. I have only one anxiety and that is to justify the management's faith in me. I realise for the first time what it means to have cost a club a lot of money and feel that I have a great responsibility to repay it by my performances on the field. I would like Everton supporters to know just how I feel about this matter and to tell them that they will be watching fellow who is endeavouring to carry out what he considers his responsibility. 

WE SHOULD IMPORT WORLD’S GREATEST PLAYERS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 22 August 1964
By John Moores (Everton Directors)
What do I want as chairman of Everton football club? Let's face it, this is a reasonable enough question and, if I wanted to be glib, the honours and trophies which can be earned and won would be the answer which would satisfy most people. These are the reasons that readily come to mind, but I cannot help asking myself if this isn't too narrow a view, too parochial, and in the final analysis not an the best interests of the ultimate good of the game. I am really speaking as a man who played football well into middle life and who enjoyed the game as a player and to a certain extent regrets the passing of English football as the best in the world.  I cannot but think we are all to parochial. Are not too many club chairmen too contented and concerned about their own achievements and League position; their own trophies and their own games, whilst the standard of football in this country suffers in consequence?  I remember, almost with a shock the day when an English side was beaten for the first time in an International game. This had to happen, of course, and will do so again in the future, but what have we really done collectively about regaining the enviable position we once held
Our common interest
Let's face it, all chairmen of League clubs, including myself at Everton, should have an over-riding interest in football as the national game, and the loyalty and enthusiasm given to a chairman's own club should in many respects be his second interest and loyalty.  Our common interest is of just how much we, individually and collectively, can improve the present standard of football. We used to be the world's best and we should aspire to be the world's best in the near future.  Agreed, we win many International matches, but we lose far too many and we are becoming adjusted to enduring disappointments and loss of prestige.  So, for a moment, I will forget Everton and presume to look at the bigger issue. Everton will gain, and so will every other club in the country. Moreover, the spectator, our one and only means of support will gain, and after all he is the one person we are out to cater for. Just how can it be done?  Looking at the football clubs generally, I feel sure that up and down the country there are those few clubs who, by the very nature of the loyal support they receive from their supporters each week, could seek for and find the most gifted players in the world to add to their playing staff.  The Stefano's, the Punkas', the Pele and the Garrincha's of football. The world's acknowledged experts, and the men who, by their eminence and performances, are the players to inspire and rejuvenate the styles of play we have been accustomed to accepting for so long.  We have some brilliant footballers in England, but they are all too few, and I am afraid at times they have to play to a plan, but I think even they would agree that the infusion of a number of the world's best players would help tremendously to set a new pattern, to bring new ideas to the game and make us think a little harder and inspire us to bring back the techniques and qualities into English football that made us undisputed champions of the world. 
The way to succeed
I would import and sign on just a few, only the best, and by their example be willing to learn and improve.  The small clubs or the less financially blessed might think this is selfish, but the influence of such knowledgeable technicians and ball players would be felt throughout the League clubs, and players transferred from these few fortunate clubs to others less fortunate would take with them the influences and expertise which would in turn raise the whole standard.  I personally believe very strongly in modelling anything I undertake on only the already acknowledged best—surely this is the surest way to succeed. Imagine Everton's junior teams having the benefit of training with and seeing the accomplishments of the world's masters. Imagine a first team line up with such personalities as the Pele, the Garrincha's the Puakas and the Stefano's of the world.  I may appear to have neglected Everton in mysearch and solution for a revival of our national game-a world beating set-up, so let me hastily add that Everton is probably the one club I had in mind when I commenced by stating " there are those few clubs up and down the country, &c." Everton is surely one.  And now to Goodison.  I suppose it is common knowledge to mention that we are continually improving the ground and accommodation.  Apart from watching football which should be among the world's best, a Saturday afternoon given over to sport should be one for the whole family; a social occasion in the pleasantest of surroundings and good company. I know season ticket holders who have the same seats year after year just so that they may be next to and meet the same friends and families they have come to know over the years, and all by just having a common interest in Everton and English football.  What else? The lighting of the corridors and the ingress and egress passages will all be brighter and more cheerful. The arena or playing pitch is well lit, but the playing pitch has been greatly improved by increasing the amount of turf behind the goal posts. Other improvements have been made and more are on the way. The playing area has received every care and the pitch will be lengthened in the near future for the Olympic Games.  Fog is perhaps our one and only really difficult problem but this is not to say that we dismiss it from our minds. One day we may be able to condition the air outside as well as we are now able to do it inside. The playing area is well drained and rain should not give trouble, and our under-soil heating takes care of frost.  Taking a look at the playing area just a few days ago I could not help but feel what a splendid improvement has been made by just turfing over the curved behind each goal. This is much better for the spectators, and the goalkeeper is out on his own just to give of his best for all who care to see. With a few more acres we could put Wembley to shame.

FIVE-MAN LINK-UP GIVES EAGER EVERTON OPENING GOAL
Liverpool Football Echo - Saturday 22 August 1964
By Michael Charters
Stoke City; Leslie; Asprey, Allen; Palmer, Kinnell, Skeels; Dobing, Viollet, Ritchie, Bridgwood, Bebbington. Everton; Rankin; Parker (Captain), Wilson; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple.  Referee; Mr. R. Harper (Sheffield).  From the noise they made before the match at Stoke there must have been in the region of 10,000 Everton supporters to see their team open the season.  Twenty minutes before the kick-off two boys carrying a large blue banner with “Everton” printed on it, ran up and down the pitch until the police intervened and escorted one of them out of the ground.  Conditions could not have been better and from the kick-off the Stoke wing-halves switched positions so that Skeels was marking Vernon.  Bridgwood headed over the bar from Dobing’s centre at the start and then Labone made a great interception, as Viollet took the ball through to clear a dangerous situation.  Stoke were moving the ball about attractively in these opening stages and putting a good deal of pressure on the Everton defence.  By comparison, the Everton attack was taking time to settle down.  But when the Everton forwards got on the move properly for the first time it produced a superb goal from Temple after only six minutes.  Every forward played a part in the move with Vernon and Young between them making the break down the centre and switching the ball to Scott.  The winger’s centre was headed on by Pickering to Temple who delivered a tremendous angled volley from 20 yards which entered the top right hand corner of the goal.  We will be lucky if we see a better goal than this all season.  Pickering made a good header when heavily challenged to send the ball just over the bar and Stoke retaliated with another excellent attack with Violett taking the ball into the penalty area but being dispossession in the act of shooting by a fine tackle from Stevens. 
FULL-LENGTH SAVE
Temple almost got another goal a few minutes later, when he linked with Vernon and bust down the middle to hit a fine shot which Leslie saved at full stretch, collecting the ball at the second attempt.  The match was full of fast top class football.  The crowd, which looked a capacity one to me, were having full value for their money.  Violett again managed to break through the Everton defence on the right but Rankin came out excellently and picked the ball off his toes.  There was a minor incident at the other end as Pickering brought the ball in from the left, but there was no other forward up in support and Leslie was able to come out and intercept close to the goal line. 
EVERTON IN LUCK
Everton were lucky when Ritchie misjudged a fine centre from Bebbington, and the Stoke attack, with Palmer coming up constantly in support, was giving Everton’s defence a severe testing.  Vernon was playing very well, making most of the openings for his forwards, with Young dropping back to help with the defensive chores.  Harris broke clear in midfield with Vernon and pushed the ball out to Scott who brought it inside for Vernon to try a shot which just flew over the bar.  Everton were playing better in attack as the minutes went by.  A neat bit of work from Vernon sent Pickering away and the centre forward’s fierce shot struck the goalkeeper on the chest.  The ball bounced out to the unmarked Scott who missed a wonderful opening by taking too long to get the ball under control.  Scott again had a golden chance after Vernon had sent him down the middle with a perfect through pass.  Scott moved out to his left and as Leslie left his goal sent the ball a yard wide of the far post. Had Everton taken their chances they should have been three up by this time, although Stoke’s midfield football was so good that it would have been an undeserved lead. 
BLUES SHOW POWER
Vernon did get the ball in the net after 27 minutes but had handled it and it bounced up awkwardly from Pickering’s downward header.  At this stage, Everton were showing great power all round.  Temple who was having a great game, was the next culprit when an astute pass from Vernon put him completely in the clear, but he sent the ball wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.  Vernon came racing up to hit, first time, a low centre from temple, but sliced his shot wide.  Everton’s display now was as good as we have seen from them for seasons.  The first Stoke attack for some 10 minutes came from Bebbington who cut inside Parker and made a fine right-foot shot which Rankin turned round the post at full stretch.  Everton seemed to have good grounds for a penalty award when Allen chased Scott for fully 50 yards and finally brought him down from behind.  Then followed yet another Everton miss, really the number of them was beyond counting.  This time Pickering beat Kinnell with a clever back header to send Vernon racing through unchallenged.  As Leslie came out, Vernon toe-ended the ball a couple of yard over the bar.  Ritchie revived Stoke’s hopes with a fine overhead kick from a pass by Bridgwood, but sent the ball over the top. 
CHANCES IGNORED
After the opening 15 minutes or so, when Stoke had been on top, Everton had now settled down to provide a first-rate exhibition.  It was an oddity that they had accepted one of the most difficult chances to score, and had thrown away at least five much easier chances.  We had not seen much of Young as an attacking forward, but just before half-time he had taking the ball cleverly down the middle when he was heavily fouled by Palmer, Everton however, made nothing of the free kick.  Ritchie was guilty of a particularly bad foul on Stevens, and then played his part in a good Stoke move which saw Bridgwood moving quickly down the middle, only for Rankin to come out quickly with a particularly brilliant drive on the ball.
DISALLOWED GOAL
With only seconds to go before half time Kinnell brought the ball upfield for 50 yards and pushed it through to Ritchie who beat Rankin and put the ball into the corner of the net.  Everton were very relieved to see the linesman’s flag go up for offside, it must have been a very close decision. 
Half-time Stoke nil, Everton 1
The Stoke wingers who had switched position just before half-time continued in their new roles afterwards.

EVERTON RES V STOKE RES
Liverpool Football Echo - Saturday 22 August 1964
Everton Res; West; Darcy, Brown; Sharples, Heslop, Rees; Shaw, Harvey, Hill, Humphreys, Veall.  Stoke City Res; Irvine; Marsh, Bentley; Moore, Blood, Flowers, Morgan, Stakie, Woodward, Philpott, Jones. Referee Lassey (Blackburn). Everton went into the attack at the start and there was little doubt they were determined to score goals.  At three minutes Harvey picked the ball up on the wing, beat two men and passed inside for HILL to score with a low shot.  Little was seen of the Stoke attack, being completely dominated by a close-covering home defence, and the Blues continued to raid the Stoke goal.  They added another two goals after 15 and 16 minutes.  Humphreys was unnecessarily fouled just outside the penalty area and the resulting kick eventually went to HILL again from Shaw.  From an acute angle he put the ball past Irvine into the top of the net.  Straight from the Stoke kick-off the ball went to Shaw, who centres to REES, who hit it first time into the net.  Everton eased off with their satisfactory lead, and a little more was seen of Stoke, Everton continued to play firmly, with Shaw continually harassing the Stoke left wing defence, but no more goals came before the interval.  Half-time; Everton Res 3, Stoke Res nil. 

EVERTON WILL BE A POWER IN THE LAND
Liverpool Daily Post, Monday, August 24, 1964
STOKE CITY 0, EVERTON 2
By Michael Charters
Everton could hardly have made a more convincing start.  Although Stoke are not one of the top teams they have a good home record but were very much second best as Everton served notice of their power and determination to go places this season. The margin was sound enough and yet Everton could have had a goal riot, which would have shocked their rivals, had they taken all their chances. After Temple had put them ahead with a glorious volley from twenty yards after six minutes, they created opening after opening with football of the highest class.
BY INCHES
Scott (twice), Temple and Vernon all shot wide or over with only the goalkeeper to beat, after the opportunity had been created with skill which was too much for the Stoke defence.  Admittedly, the shots missed by inches, but had Everton led at half-time by five goals instead of a fair reflection of their form. Stoke had made the early running, applying considerable pressure, but once Temple had sent everyone into raptures with his goal, it was one-way traffic to half-time. The second half was of similar pattern, with Stoke playing attractively in midfield but lacking penetration.  Everton’s defensive cover was so good, with Labone blotting out Ritchie, that Rankin was never extended. He was beaten once by Ritchie, but the centre-forward was offside-a close decision, which was the nearest Everton came to being in real trouble. The Stoke threat was beaten off again and Temple led Everton into a series of skilful attacks which showed them masters at all points.  The winger, backed up by Harris and Vernon, made another volleyed shot similar to his scoring effort, but this was saved superbly by Leslie.  Stoke’s best player.
NO DENYING TEMPLE
Temple could not be denied by the Stoke defenders.  With ten minutes to go, he weaved his way through three attempted tackles, drew badly angled and the ball struck Asprey on the line.  Out it bounced to Vernon who was able to score one of the easiest goals of his life. Although Temple was the outstanding individual, with a display which could not have been bettered.  Everton’s all-round performance was of such a high standard that one would have thought they had been playing for months rather than opening up.  Parker, in his first competition game for nine months since his cartilage injury, is rapidly coming back to his best.  Wilson brought intelligence, poise, and high skill to left back as one expects from an international of his quality. Stevens, the emergency wing-half was outstanding for the work he did.  His covering and tackling were tireless, while Harris played better and better as the game progressed,
EXCELLENT SCOTT
Scott had an excellent game, and it was Everton’s wing strength which proved too much for Stoke.  Vernon was at his best when Everton were moving fluently in the first half.  He and Pickering who did well in the air, even though Kinnell was big master in other departments, have struck up an effective link which could produce plenty of goals. What of Young the man whose future at Everton has been so clouded recently? His display was a revelation in many ways, for he was called upon to play a defensive role, foreign to his normal style.  He rarely went up in attack, roaming around the midfield spaces and carried through his chores to the satisfaction of everyone.  He produced one or two long passes with devastating effect but mainly he was employed in chasing and harrying the Stoke forwards. This was a first class, entertaining game the sort that whets the appetite and makes you ask for more.  It was free of defensive gimmicks full of fine football, Everton having the edge at all times-a great advertisement for our national game.  Stoke City; Leslie; Asprey, Allen; Palmer, Kinnell; Skeels; Dobing, Violett, Ritchie, Bridgwood, Bebbington. Everton; Rankin; Parker (Captain), Wilson; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple. Referee. Mr. R. Harper (Sheffield).  Attendance 43,431.

EVERTON RESERVES COAST HOME
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday August 24, 1964
EVERTON RES 6 STOKE CITY 1
Everton had no trouble in trouncing a poor Stoke City side and were a goal up in three minutes, three up in 16, and from then on it was just a matter of how big the winning margin would be. Outside right Shaw and his partner Harvey beat the Stoke defence continually and had a hand in five of the goals, while Heslop and his backs snuffled out the visiting attacks with excellent covering so that goalkeeper West had little to do. Everton’s goal came from Hill (3), one a penalty, at three, 15 and 62 minutes; Rees (2) at 16 and 77 minutes and Harvey at 75 minutes. Stoke’s goal came from a Woodward breakaway at 70 minutes. 

EVERTON FIND TOP GEAR FROM THE START
Liverpool Echo - Monday 24 August 1964
By Michael Charters
What a great start for our local clubs, all winning except Chester, who were outgunned by Aldershot! That old Merseyside football fever was out and about again—Liverpool and Everton being watched by two of the top five gates of the day. There must have been well over 10,000 Everton supporters at Stoke to see their team open the programme with a smooth -as -silk 2-0 victory, and a big proportion of that number motored back home happily along M6, giving the players huge beaming smiles of approval, toots on the horn and waving coloured scarves as they passed the team's coach along the way.  There could hardly have been a more convincing, satisfying start to the season than that from Everton.  Admittedly, Stoke are not one of the top clubs in the First Division, but they are very useful on their own ground and there were times on Saturday when they had Everton's defence under heavy pressure. For 15 minutes or so at the start of each half Stoke moved theball attractively and at speed, but their forwards lacked penetration. They did not make openings with the same crispness as Everton, who had a half-hour spell just before the interval when they played football of the highest class.  Had chances been taken—and chances were there with only the goalkeeper to beat—they could have gone in at half-time leading by four or five goals. This was the one criticism which could be levelled at Everton, and even in this respect their shots were only missing the target by inches. But the fact remains that they might have had a goal riot, which the level of their display had earned, to serve notice to all others of the power they are likely to be this season. Considering that they were without Gabriel and Kay, the quality of Everton's win was particularly praiseworthy.
IMPORTANT FOR FIVE
This match had particular significance, I thought, for five of their players—Parker, Wilson, Stevens, Harris and Young. Let us take the individual reasons and reactions in turn. For Parker, this was his first serious competitive game since he was injured at Nottingham Forest nine months ago. In addition, he had just been made captain. It was an ordeal, mentally perhaps more than physically, and he had his difficult moments. But his overall display indicated that his long months of worry through injury were forgotten, it won't be long before he his back to his best. Wilson was making his debut for the club and has brought to the job all the poise and skill one expects from an International of his standing. He is one of the fastest full backs in recovery I've ever seen; a class performer in every way. Stevens, at wing half in an emergency, gave an outstanding display of relentless covering, tackling, and 100 per cent effort. He slotted into the position as though he had never played anywhere else. His manager was delighted with his contribution to the general excellence of the team effort.  Harris, on the other flank, had missed, through injury, more than a week of vital training aimed at getting the players tuned up for the opening day. At the start, his lack of match practice was obvious, but he stuck to his task, regaining his touch as the minutes passed, and was able, late on, to bring the ball through 50 yards to start the move which led to the second goal. Everton had great strength at wing half.  Young's performance at inside right was of special importance; the background to it is too well known to need repeating here. In many ways, his display was a revelation, for it was contrary to his normal style. His was purely a defensive role. He was deputed to lay back and cover the midfield spaces. He had to cover and rove around.  He did it to the great satisfaction of everyone and, I suspect, himself. He was the only forward not to have a  go at goal, but he carried out his manager's orders to the letter and once saved a dangerous situation, before the  second goal, when he took the ball off Ritchie's toes at the centre forward was about to let fly only 10 yards out. 
TEMPLE AT HIS BEST
I have dwelt on these because I rate them the great talking point from the Everton point of view. There was, however, one other feature which stood out, although the whole team played so well, and that the remarkable work of Temple who even had the Stoke fans applauding his brilliance. He scored, after six minutes, a tremendous volleyed goal with his right foot—the type he and only he produces with such regularity. A similar shot in the second half was negatived by a magnificent save from Leslie.  Several times, he set off on those characteristic, weaving runs of his, swerving his way through tackles and yet going forward at top speed. He is rare in that he can beat his man as he goes forward, much more difficult than the more usual way of going sideways to avoid the tackle.  It was from one of these crowd compelling runs that Everton scored their second goal, 10 minutes from the end.  Temple book the ball past three men in the space of 10 yards within the penalty area, drew out the goalkeeper and beat him, but was then so badly angled that his shot struck full back Asprey on the line. The ball bounced out to Vernon who was able to score the easiest goal he will get for a long time.  Temple's display could hardly have been bettered.  Itwas of international standard and the Liverpool clubs are fortunate to have two left wingers of the class of Temple and Thompson. 
STRENGTH ON THE WINGS
There was also a particularly good game from Scott and Everton's threat on the wings was too good altogether for the Stoke defence, in which Skeels was the best, with Kinnell strong at centre half and Leslie excellent in goal. Rankin was very safe in goal for Everton but was rarely extended thanks to the fine covering of his defence, in which Labone did excellent work in holding the strong, robust Ritchie. Kinnell frequently beat Pickering on the ground but the Everton leader did well in the air, and has developed a happy link with Vernon, who was in his best, form in the first half when Everton were so much on top.  Finally, a few words of praise for the team's general comportment in a fast, hard-hitting game. It is obvious that Manager Catterick's words of warning about behaviour have been most telling, for there were moments of provocation from certain Stoke players which were dealt with serenely instead of fiercely.  Both teams deserve the utmost credit for putting on such a first-class entertaining show, free from defensive gimmicks and full of fast, flowing football- the English game at its best. 

DROVE AT EVERTON FANS, STORY
Liverpool Echo - Monday 24 August 1964
GYPSY REMANDED IN CUSTODY BY STOKE COURT
CITY MAN CRUSHED BY CARAVAN WHEEL IS SERIOUSLY ILL
A Liverpool man, James Campbell, of 19 Carsington Road, was taken to hospital seriously injured, and other people from the Liverpool area may have sustained lesser injuries, the prosecution alleged at Stoke-on-Trent to-day.  A 26-year-old gypsy, Elias Stanley, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody until Thursday on a charge of causing bodily harm to Mr. Campbell by wanton or furious driving of a lorry and caravan.  Inspector Colin Johnson said the alleged offence took place after the Stoke and Everton match outside the official entrance at the Victoria ground on Saturday.
THROUGH THE CROWD 
A crowd of people had assembled to watch the departure of the Everton players. Their private motor coach was parked by the official entrance, and police were controlling the crowd as the Everton players were boarding the coach.  Inspector Johnson alleged that Stanley attempted to drive his lorry and caravan between the coach and a lamp post, although he was directed by a police officer to stop.  Stanley, the officer alleged revved up his engine and said: "I'll shift the---“He then drove throughthe crowd of people. Several were knocked away, while police officers and others had to jump for safety.  Some of the crowd shouted, and others banged on the side of the lorry and caravan. Mr. Campbell, who was standing on the pavement, was knocked to the ground, and a wheel of the caravan passed over his body. He was dragged three or four yards and left in the road unconscious. 
HOSTILE ATTITUDE 
He was taken to hospital, where he was still detained with serious abdominal injuries and a suspected fractured pelvis.  Inspector Johnson alleged that Stanley did not stop, and was chased by a policeman on a motor-cycle and by another in a car before being arrested.  He had to be taken into a shop owing to the hostile attitude of the crowd.  When Stanley, who had nothing to say in court, applied for ball. Inspector Johnson said the police strongly opposed it, and added: “A number of other witnesses' statements are awaited from people in the Liverpool area, some of whom may have received less serious injuries , and other  charges are likely to be preferred against the accused." 

THOMAS SIGNS 
Liverpool Echo - Monday 24 August 1964
Eddie Thomas, the Swansea Town inside forward, formerly with Everton, to-day joined Derby County for a fee of 6,000 pounds. 

EVERTON UNCHANGED FOR GOODISON GAME
Liverpool Echo - Monday 24 August 1964
FOREST DELAY SELECTION
MOCHAN MAY PLAY 
By Leslie Edwards
Manager Harry Catterick announces an unchanged side for the match to-morrow night against Nottingham Forest, at Goodison Park (7.30)Everton; Rankin; Parker, Wilson; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young. Pickering, Vernon, Temple. 1 Nottingham Forest's team will not be selected until just before the team travels.  Manager Carey said to-day:  "I'm leaving it for a bit to see if Denis Mochan is fit to play.  He had a run with the reserves on Saturday and showed no ill effects from his recent knee injury.  Scottish - born Mochan's return could considerably strengthen Forest's weakest department, at full back. Both Joe Wilson and Brian Grant were in trouble against Birmingham's fast - raiding wingers on Saturday when the visitors built up a 3-1 half-time lead only for Forest to stage a remarkable second-half recovery to win by 4-3.  Forest's newcomer, right winger Chris Crowe, who cost 30,000 pounds from Wolves last week, made his debut on Saturday and as very impressive.
TOTTENHAM TICKETS 
Ground tickets for the Everton v. Tottenham game will be sold, while supplies last, at ground turnstiles before the Forest match, from about 6.15 to not later than 7.15.  Ground and paddock season tickets may be bought before the match at the Evertonian’ Association office, Bullens Road, and stand season tickets from the inquiry window, Goodison Road. 
PRAISE FOR FOOTBALL FANS
A British Railways spokesman in Liverpool to-day praised Everton F.C. fans who travelled on two soccer specials to Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday.  He said: "They were very well behaved. We have no complaints about passengers travelling on the train." 

EVERTON MAKE NO CHANGE
Liverpool Daily Post -Tuesday, August 25, 1964
For their opening League game of the season at Goodison Park to-night (7.30), when Nottingham Forest provides the opposition, Everton’s team will be unchanged from the one successful at Stoke on Saturday, namely. Rankin; Parker, Wilson; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple.
Selection of the Nottingham Forest team has been delayed until just before the team travels.
SPURS’ MATCH
Ground tickets for the Everton v. Tottenham game will be sold, while supplies last, at ground turnstiles before the Forest match, from about 6.15 to not later than 7.15. Ground and paddock season tickets may be bought before the match at the Evertonians’ Association office, Bullens Road, and stand season tickets from the inquiry window, Goodison Road.

EVERTON’S GROUND FIGHY BACK
Liverpool Daily Post-Wednesday, August 25, 1964
Against a Manchester United Reserves side which contained players such as Cantwell, Crerand and Quixall, Everton Reserves after being four goals down in the 67th minute, drew four-all, last night, at old Trafford. A fair result. The 10,753 spectators were treated to some fine football was thrilled at Sadler (2) and Kinsey (2) put Manchester four goals in front.  But there was a surprise coming, for in the second half, the visitors fought back strongly, with Sharples, Heslop and Rees playing a prominent part, dovetailing with the forwards time after time. After Cantwell had put through his own goal, Harvey, with a low shot, scored a second for Everton, followed by another good goal from Veall.  With the seconds ticking away, Hill equaliser, from a Shaw centre.

A HAPPY RETURN FOR PICKERING
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 25 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
Everton start their home programme to-night with the match against Nottingham Forest and interest in soccer in this city could scarcely be more intense. Having won at Stoke, initially, with Alex Young performing exceptionally well in his new semi defensive role, Everton will be anxious to show their one time Manager's team they are capable of repeating that 6-1 victory, at Goodison Pork, in the corresponding fixture last season. This was the game in which Pickering made his debut for Everton and cracked in three scoring shots after missing a sitter.  The Everton team to-night in different from that day in that Gabriel and Kay are both absent, but equally the Forest team will be different. They now have the services of Chris Crowe, the one-time Wolverhampton Wanderer,whose debut on Saturday at outside-right (normally he has filled an inside-forward position) was an outstanding success.  Manager Carey's side, shocked by Birmingham's 3-1 lead at the interval, showed great fight when coming out for the second-half to win 4-3.  Unhappily for Forest there have been doubts about their fine Scots full-back, Mochan, who missed the game against Birmingham. If he were still unfit Forest could be in trouble from Temple and Scott.  Forest, whose wing half-back Whitefoot is one of the best dynamos in the game contemporarily, usually play studious, patterned football. The duel between Brian Labone and his one-time club-mate at Everton, Frank Wignall, should be a stirring one since heading is one of Wignall’s strongest suits. Hinton, like Crowe a buy from Wolverhampton, is another of the Forest forwards the defence will need to watch carefully.  Mr. Carry and his side are sure of a good welcome from a capacity or near-capacity crowd who are anxious to see for themselves how Young is making out in a new role. The evidence from Stoke, at least, is that he will be successful. This would satisfy his legion of fans who have always maintained that a place somewhere should be found for him in the team, irrespective of which players come or go... 

EVERTON STAR INJURED
Liverpool Daily Post-Wednesday, August 26, 1964
By Horace Yates
Injuries, the bane of Everton last season, have again struck early.  In last night’s match with Nottingham Forest, Ray Wilson, on the first appearance of the international full-back for his new club at Goodison Park, pulled a muscle.  He retired about ten minutes from the end and manager Harry Catterick said afterwards Wilson may not be fit to play again for about ten days.  If this is so he will miss Saturday’s home game with Tottenham Hotspur, Tuesday’s return at Nottingham and possibly the visit to Burnley on Saturday week.  A crowd of more than 53,000 saw Everton win 1-0 last night. 

A BRILLIANT NOTTINGHAM FOREST DO EVERYTHING EXCEPT SCORE
Liverpool Daily Post-Wednesday, August 26, 1964
RANKIN AND PICKERING TO RESCUE OF EVERTON
ROY WILSON A CAUSLTY- MAY MISS NEXT THREE GAMES
EVERTON 1, NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0
By Horace Yates
Everton lead the League without a goal conceded, but that is the beginning of the story rather than the end.  Not only is it a remarkable fact that forest, during a first half of undoubted domination, did not score two or three times, but equally noteworthy is it that Everton were able to win at all.  The magnificent football of Johnny Carey’s team was a genuine surprise packet; only in finishing were they remiss. Evens such a criticism may be harsh, for the acceptance of the fact completely disregards a really sensational exhibition of goalkeeping by Andy Rankin, the man who stand between Forest and victory at a time when there might easily have been a flurry of goals, Goalkeepers, I know are a very important cog in the team wheel and that Rankin was placed there to do precisely what he accomplished, but not always are instructions so perfectly discharged. Had he failed with more than one shot, who could legitimately have criticised him? This was just another chapter in the career of a goalkeeper with one of the fastest growing reputations in the game. Only grudgingly have some conceded his obvious merit and by exaggerating fancied shortcomings have delayed a just acknowledgment.  No longer can recognition be withheld, for with the sort of spectacular leaps and uncanny anticipation with which he denied the Forest attack, Rankin’s fame must soon attract, notice outside the Merseyside boundaries. I have little doubt that Forest would have made the Goodison opening far less satisfying had Rankin not been in such superb form. That Everton were able to survive a genuine hammering and still mount a successful counter-attack was very much to their credit and excellent justification for the faith so widely held that no honours of the new season can be discussed without mentioning their name.  how unwise it is, at this stage to be in any way dogmatic shout a severely restricted short list of would-be title contenders, has been demonstrated quite effectively in Liverpool during the last four days.  “Watch Arsenal,” said those who say the Londoner’s came so close to winning at Anfield, on Saturday.  Now Evertonians must surely add the name of Nottingham Forest, and yet here is a club which has not previously appeared in anybody’s crystal ball! I was disappointed, admittedly, with the facile way in which the Forest forwards were able to punch gaps in the Everton defence, and particularly by the successful manoeuvring of Addison into scoring positions.  Three or four times Rankin denied him, and on other occasions, Addison had little excuse for misplacing shots.
HALF BACK CONTRAST
In strict contrast with the way in which newton shadowed Vernon, contesting every ball, it was not easy to absolve either Harris or Stevens for the latitude they allowed Forest’s inside men, although Harris sinned less than Stevens. Vernon could hardly move without bodily contact with a tenacious tackling Newton, and the contract was too obvious to be missed. Had Gabriel and Kay been playing I think there might have been a different story, for while the speedy, darting raids of Temple and Scott sometimes brought Everton to life, the attack was labouring too often for complacence the queries at inside forward and right half remain. The surprise element, the completely unexpected show of flight and finesse by Forest, played a tremendous part in providing a wonderful evening’s entertainment.  The crowd hooted from time to time, first at Forest for heaping the indignity of an offside trap on the Everton forwards, then on the linesmen for conceding offside where they thought none existed and on the referees for what they considered an unfair discrimination in free kick awards. The demonstration against offside, either factually or tactically was absurd, although I must agree some of the free kicks appeared to go the wrong way. None of this however, spoiled the game.  There was far too much brilliance and competition for that. Honours are always important, but if spectacle on such a plane as this could be guaranteed, far more difficult would it be to consider an empty showcase a mark of an unrewarding season.  This is the sort of football, played at op pace by both sides, which will not only thrill the crowds but bring back the deserters as well.  McKinlay is not the type of centre half to surrender easily and Pickering, who may have recalled that it was against Forest last season that he was able to mark his Everton debut with a hat-trick, had to flight and go on fighting for any progress he was able to make.
TERRIFIC GOAL
His goal, the only one of the match, was a terrific affair.  Parker began it deep inside his own half, when he cleverly intercepted a dangerous looking attack and in a flash caught Forest on the wrong foot by pushing the ball in front of Scott. The winger ran magnificently and when McKinlay was left with no alternative but to race out and meet him, Pickering was momentarily exposed. Exactly at the right moment Scott crossed the ball and from the edge of the area Pickering hit it first time.  What a shot it was! The ball grazed the under part of the cross bar as it blazed into the net. With anyone else but Pickering one might have said that such a shot could have gone anywhere, but this a Pickering speciality.  He hits them far more accurately than most.  What a ready example of the danger there is lurking in his hefty frame.  Inevitably somewhat clumsy, he showed more football intelligence than many had previously credited.  The score was after 55 minutes and 25 minutes later he discounted the theory of lack of accuracy with his head when he found Grummitt to a Rankin-like save from the most expert flick. Even the most loyal subjects of “King Alec” must now concede that Young must make a success of his new inside role, if he is to be of any great future service to Everton, I cannot see how he can ever hope to stage a centre forward come-back at Everton.  I think a leaner, sprightlier Pickering is on his way to stardom.  Vernon has seldom spent a more frustrating evening.  Even when Pickering headed him into the clear, leaving only Grummitt to beat, Vernon failed, but this was a lot more difficult situation than some were prepared to admit.  The one really disturbing feature, part from the wing half uncertainty, was a late leg injury which caused the retirement of Ray Wilson, playing only his second game for Everton and first at home. He has pulled a thigh muscle and may miss the next three matches. Forest’s nearest approach to goals were probably when Joe Wilson struck the cross bar and Brian Harris kicked off the goal line after Wilson had found a way past Rankin did exist. Everton; Rankin; Parker, Ray Wilson; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple. Nottingham Forest; Grummitt; Joe Wilson, Grant; Newton, McKinlay, Whitefoot; Crowe, Addison, Wignall, Barnwell, Hinton.  Referee. - Mr. V. James (York). 

RANKIN THEN PICKERING WON THIS MATCH
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 26 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
First Rankin saved Everton from defeat; then Pickering inflicted defeat on Nottingham Forest with a goal brilliant in execution and breathtaking in majesty. The curtain came down, after much dramatic goalkeeping, with Everton's new buy, Ramon Wilson, hobbling off field a few minutes from the end with what may well be damage that could keep him out of Saturday's battle against Tottenham. Everton fans, enduring as players did, a heat-wave opening to the new season at Goodison Park, went home satisfied only with two things—Pickering's goal and the score-line which gave his side two points that might have been sewn into Forest's pocket long before the interval.  But football is full of inequalities and when one pays tribute to Nottingham's expertise—and especially from their wing half-backs. Newton and Whitefoot—it must be said that they had only themselves to blame for not being two or three goals ahead at the Interval.  The difference between the aides at the outset was that one looked as though they had been playing all the close season and the other as if they had never kicked a ball since last April.  The divergence in the performance of the two half-back lines was clear. Whltefoot and Newton (one of the best young prospects I've seen) commanded the field and their opponents; the Everton middle line with Labone often out-manoeuvred by Wignall and Stevens and Harris looking rather lethargic (that is putting it mildly) did not seem to be in the game at all. The tell-tale impression that there were 15 red-shirted players creating havoc among nine wearing blue must have been borne on every spectator. They came to cheer Everton to victory; they were soon silent and clearly dismayed at the imminent prospect of the verdict going the other way and deservedly.
PERSONAL MISSION
Forest had conceded 21 goals in their last five trips to Goodison Park. It almost seemed from the way Addison shot the ball at goal five times in the first half-hour he was personally going to adjust the situation off his own bat. Not all were on target, but most were. The first Rankin took with a prodigious leftwards leap to turn the ball round the post. The third came at point-blank range after Hinton had created the chance. Addison must have puzzled, as we did, how Rankin's lightning reflexes could take him to the line of flight in a fraction of a second. A wonderful save.  Barnwell missed from point-blank range on the interval; otherwise Forest would have had the lead they deserved.  Not long after the crowd had shown their gratitude (and weren't they right!) to Rankin as he took his place for the second-half than Forest's Wilson, a back always on the qui vine for a shooting chance, thumped the ball against the bar with Rankin, for once, not within reach of the ball.  This, despite Everton's several reasonable scoring chances when being pinned down by Forest's slowly but surely-built attacks looked like being the beginning of the end. It was—for Forest!  Fifty-five minutes had gone when Whitefoot blundered badly. Scott was given possession and went straight down the wing. He centred without delay and Pickering, for whom the ball ran just right, shot without delay. I'll swear the stands literally shook at the wild burst of applause which rose when he timed his shot to perfection and the ball rocketed high into the net.  Harris kicked off the line when Forest's Wilson joined the shooters again; Wignall with one of his best shots nearly squeezed the ball through Rankin's legs and Young and Harris were busy giving corners in the final minute before the end when Everton, minus Wilson for the final seven minutes, could relax. 
MEASURE OF SATISFACTION
If one argues that any side can win when they are playing well and that few sides ran win when they play badly Everton's victory has its measure of satisfaction, but until that Pickering goal, I fear, most people had written them off as worth only a draw at the outside.  In the event they improved noticeably. Pickering with a glancing header put Vernon through and there was only the goalkeeper to beat, but Vernon couldn't manage it. Vernon put Pickering in with a heading chance and only a miraculous one-handed save by Grummitt saved the situation.  It was good to see Pickering leap over the prostrate goalkeeper after such a save; good, too to see Crowe, a handful of a winger for any back, beating Wilson in an entrancing duel and then both players giving each other  "a hand" to show that they, at least, appreciated that football is only a game.  It was just one of those things when Everton's two trainers and Forest's all had to come on field a moment later to the injured Wilson, Temple and Wignall. Wilson limping went to outside-left, Harris dropping back, but his injury made it almost impossible for him to even be a worth-while passenger. The crowd were right to give him a warm farewell as he gave his Injury best and went off for good seven minutes from time. Ironically hisinjury arose when he put the ball out of play to draw the referee's attention to Temple's plight.  Of the Everton attack only Pickering and, in the second-half, Scott played well. The others seemed to suffer from lack of opportunity in a side which was not "clicking" in any department save Rankin's.  Forest's smooth command; their offside traps into which Everton fell headlong; their steady building of  attack from bark to half-back and half-back to front line made this match seem as good as theirs from the start.  Only Rankin's superb goalkeeping and Forest's own wastefulness of well-made chances kept the score at 0-0 for 55 minutes. 

WILSON IS LIKELY TO MISS THREE GAMES
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 26 August 1964
STRAINED LEG MUSCLE
EVERTON BLOW 
By Leslie Edwards
Ramon Wilson, the Everton and England back, who strained a muscle when putting the ball to his injured teammate, Temple, received  attention at Goodison Park, last night, where Everton beat Nottingham  Forest 1-0, will probably miss the next three games.  Manager Harry Catterick said to-day "Ramon might punched the ball upheld: instead he turned quickly and dragged it out of play. I think his injury come because our ground is particularly lush with grass, rather like Wembley where there have been many similar injuries.  "The muscle Wilson has damaged is high in the groin at the top of the thigh—it's the one used in kicking.  Usually it takes about ten days to heal. Sandy Brown will almost certainly come into the side against Tottenham on Saturday.  Admitting that we did not play well last night, one must not fail to give credit to Nottingham Forest for their superb play in the first half." 

SHOULD BE MORE HUMANE
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 27 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
The incident which led to the injury to Ramon Wilson in the match against Nottingham Forest, on Tuesday, was remarkable Temple, the Everton winger, went down injured in Forest's half; the game went on and despite the crowd's whistling, designed to draw the attention of Referee James to Temple's plight, the ball was kept in play almost interminably. Finally it came into possession of Wilson who kicked it straight out of play to ensure Temple got attention. In doing this humane act Wilson stumbled and pulled the thigh muscle which is likely to keep him out of his team's next game or two.  Referees are becoming more and more disposed to letting play continue when an injured man goes down.  They may be basing their attitude on the belief that much injury in League soccer in 1964 is feigned. The classic case of the injured Bolton half-back detected, by Television at Wembley, raising his head to see whether the referee had noticed he was " out for the count" is remembered and it could be that others might go down at a judicious moment in order to save their side.  My view is that it would be better to let a "foxer" get away with it occasionally than leave a genuine injury case a moment longer than necessary. After all, a occurs or a minute later after the ball has gone out of stoppage is a stoppage whether it comes when the injury play.  Referees should be more humane: they should think of circumstances when they go down injured. Players and spectators could not be more concerned when this happens. The game always stops: indeed I recall the late Tom Bromlow taking the whistle of a knocked-out referee and himself sounding a cease fire.  So let none ever say that one League player has not played in a match and helped to referee it…

WILSON IN NURSING HOME FOR REST
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 27 August 1964
BROWN PLAYS ON SATURDAY
SPURS GAME
By Leslie Edwards
Ramon Wilson Wilson, the Everton back, in injured when making his home debut for his new club on Tuesday, is resting in a nursing home as part of the treatment for his damaged thigh muscle.  “This is the usual treatment nowadays,” said manager Catterick.  “We expect him to be out of the nursing home in three days’ time.” “I shall be playing Sandy Brown at left back against Tottenham on Saturday.  Although they are not the team they were.  Spurs are still a fair side and we don’t expect things to be easy.”

EVERTON HOPE TO BE TOPS TOMORROW
Liverpool Echo - Friday 28 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
Tottenham Hotspur who come to Goodison to-morrow cannot be enamoured of their trip here.  They were beaten twice by both our sides last season. The glamour of that famous 10-4 victory against Everton at White Hart Lane—Everton themselves almost scored ten that day !—has long since disappeared and with it, I think, the Tottenham reputation for being a side capable of beating the best in Britain, much less in England.  The loss of Mackay, Blanchflower and White In quick time is one no club, however well blessed for reserves,can withstand. When Fulham put their foot down and said Haynes was not for Spurs, Tottenham's chances of being the force they were disappeared.  But Mr. Nicholson is a shrewd man. I cannot think that he will be content to see his team slip from preeminence to obscurity. Though the weather this week has been more suited to sun-bathing than soccer and the cool "air" of football has not really arrived, the Everton ground to-morrow will be packed by fans hoping for Everton to top the first published League table. And despite their indifferent showing against Nottingham Forest that is where they could still be to-morrow night.  It will be interesting to see how Everton's makeshift  half-back line, waiting for Gabriel's suspension to end, fares against opposition who could be more testing than that provided by John Carey's side. Young is still a very dangerous player when moving up in possession. He does not fill his other, more defensive, role in the same brilliant way, but with two wins out of two and three goals against nil on the register Everton have made a fine start and one which Spurs may not be able to spoil.  Sandy Brown, of course, takes the place, at left-back of the unlucky injured Ramon Wilson.
YOUNG-PRO AND CON
Those who saw Andy Rankin's wonderful show against Nottingham Forest will be interested to learn his background.  He was to have been a policeman (maybe parading Goodison Park) but Everton, through Manager Catterick, persuaded him to pound their goal-line beat.  Twenty years of age, Rankin is one of the few young men in the game always striving to learn. He was promoted to strip for training in the first-team dressing room long ago, but having done so he was almost invariably to be found sitting with "the boys” In the reserve team room! He is totally unspoiled. It could be that he will get an England cap before he's 21. Mr. Catterick thinks he may finish an even better goalkeeper than Ron Springett.  Everton.—Rankin; Parker, Brown; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple.

SCENE AFTER MATCH 
Liverpool Echo - Friday 28 August 1964
Elais Stanley, aged 36,' charged with causing bodily harm to James Campbell, a Liverpool man, on Saturday night after the Stoke v. Everton match, was at Stoke-on-Trent  yesterday remanded on £100 bail until September 24.  Stanley was alleged to have, driven a lorry drawing a caravan into a crowd of Everton supporters including Campbell.  Inspector Colin Johnson said that Campbell was not expected to leave hospital for another three weeks. More charges would probably be preferred against Stanley.

EVERTON PLAY BROWN FOR INJURED WILSON
Liverpool Echo - Friday 28 August 1964
TOTTENHAM UNCHANGED
GOODISON GAME
By Leslie Edwards
Everton have one expected change for the game against Tottenham at Goodison Park to-morrow-full back Sandy Brown for the injured Ramon Wilson.  Spurs will have an unchanged team, with Cliff Jones, normally a winger at inside left to Terry Dyson.  Not all ground tickets for the match have been sold.  Turnstiles at Gwladys Street, Bullens Road and Goodison Road will be open to-morrow on a pay-as-you-enter basis.  Everton; Rankin; Parker, Brown; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon,. Temple.  Tottenham Hotspur; Jennings; Knowles, Henry; Mullery, Norman, Beale; Robertson, Greaves, Saul, Jones, Dyson. 

SPURS HAVE NOT SCORED IN THREE VISITS TO GOODISON PARK
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday 29, 1964
YOUNG OR STEVENS? HERE IS THE DAY OF DECISION
PICKERING IN THE MOOD TO SET UP A SEASON’S PERSONAL SCORING RECORD!
By Horace Yates
Everton the only First division side not to have conceded a goal this season are right in football’s shop window, with two opening victories and quite a considerable opportunity to-day to make the total three.  Tottenham Hotspur, of the great name, if slightly tarnished reputation for invincibility, have slipped somewhat from their pedestal, and yet three points from the opening two games hardly suggests that the slip has become a slide.  There are too many high-sounding names still holding places in the London side to warrant the thought that Everton will free wheel through the test. In any event, some of us can have forgotten the shake-up to complacency left by the visit of Nottingham Forest! If Everton should be beaten to-day, and I do not consider that at all likely, not only will Tottenham have to be first scorers against the team from Goodison, but they will have to improve on their three previous visits. In three seasons a triumphant Everton have scored five goals without reply. Of course, England international left back Ray Wilson was there against Stoke City and Forest to help bar the way.  He will be absent to-day, his deputy being Sandy Brown, who opened up as a left back, but switched to right back when a deputy had to be found for Parker last season. 
RANKIN SUPERB
Possibly more than Wilson, Andy Rankin, in such superb form in goal these days, has played a major role in denying opposing forwards, and he is in position again to-day to pit his skill against the lightning reaction of Jimmy Greaves. Greaves is still the greatest scoring opportunist in modern football. Merseysiders like their football as much as any crowd in the country, but they are discerning judges for all that, and the fact that, and the fact that quite a number of ground spaces remains for those who wish to pay at the turnstiles.  In what was to have been an all-ticket clash, suggests that some of the ‘spurs glitter has rubbed off.  Last season the Goodison game attracted 65,303 spectators, and the season before the total was 67,650. Now the query seems to be, will the attendance reach 60,000 to-day.  Judging purely on what I saw against Nottingham Forest I have still to be convinced that Everton have found an answer to their team problems by playing Stevens at right half and Young at inside right. In any event, it seems likely to-day will be the last occasion, for the time being at least, in which both will figure in the first team, for Gabriel will be available from Monday.  Whether it will be Stevens or Young who will drop out may be decided by the way they handle their opportunities against Spurs. My impression is that Stevens accomplishes far more useful defensive work when adding this to his responsibilities as a forward, than when pinned down to a specific half back rule.
STIRRING EXHIBITION
I have an idea that because Spurs will avoid negative tactics and try to make this a test of football skills, that we shall again see the teams put on a stirring exhibition of attractive soccer and that in this Everton will not be found inferior. Indications are already there that this season may see Derek Temple, such an improved performer last season, attain a new peak and emerge as a star in his own right. One of the surprising things of last season was that Tottenham so passively accepted the inevitability of Fred Pickering joining Everton when their need of such a dangerous centre forward was so obvious.  If the explanation was that their appreciation of Pickering’s merit was only lukewarm, the temperature may be sent soaring by what they see to-day.  If Pickering does not set up a new personal scoring record this season I shall be as surprised as I shall be disappointed. With some surprising developments accompanying the playing of almost every match, the position is rather obscure regarding choice of teams to emerge as principal title chasers.  The longer it remains so, the more interesting the season will be; Everton; Rankin; Parker, Brown; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple. Tottenham Hotspur; Jennings; Knowles, Henry; Mullery, Norman, Beale; Robertson, Greaves, Saul, Jones, Dyson.

EVERTON’S CHANCE TO CONSOLIDATE
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 29 August 1964
NEW NAMES; OLD STARS IN TOTTENHAM SIDE FOR GOODISON
By Leslie Edwards
The new Tottenham come to Goodison Park to-day in an effort to be the first side this season to get a goal or a victory against Everton. The prospects are that even without Ramon Wilson the home side will consolidate their position at the top of the league table. Sandy Brown will take Wilson's place and if his public trial game form is any guide will make more than an adequate deputy  A Tottenham minus Blanchflower, Mackay and John White, the dainty 'forward who was struck by lightning and killed a few weeks ago, is strange-looking. Among the new boys arc Jennings, an Irish goalkeeper Spurs signed from Watford. Robertson, the winger they secured from Scotland late last season, and Knowles, a full back whose previous club was Middlesbrough.  There are still sufficient stars in the team to make them attractive and even if there weren't the presence in the attack of the fabulous Jimmy Greaves would be calculated to make Everton's attendance a notably big one.  Cliff Jones, too, now operating, at inside forward, is a player who compels one's attendance.  Mullery, Dyson, son of the old flat-race jockey "Ginger " Dyson, who was a Liverpool man, and Norman are others in the Tottenham side who command our attention. Dyson is something of a stormy petrel of a winger, but he's a good 'un and a man with plenty of pluck. The duel between him and Alex Parker, the Everton captain, should be entertaining. 
FOOTBALL ABILITY 
Everton have not taken long to prove that they don't intend to be involved this season in “incidents" which cost suspensions for them last season.  This is all to the good. They are not a big side, physically, and mixing it with sides who have more height and weight can only end in trouble of one sort or another.  Everton have enough football ability to get by on that quality. I am sure their fans would rather see them playing in this way than getting on the wrong side of their opponents and, more important, the referee. 
CRITICS SHOULD WAIT 
The promise of such a goal as Pickering scored against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday will bring every Everton fan to the ground again to-day.  Manager Catterick asks that the few critics of Alex Young should give the player a fair run in his new position.  One awaits to-day's game' anxiously to see whether, in fact, Nottingham forest were as good as they appeared in the first half or whether Everton's half back weaknesses for part of that game were responsible for the forward showingof what a season ago was quite an ordinary First Divisionside.  My own opinion is that Crowe and Hinton are two of the slickest and best wingers in Division 1 and that Forest's wing half backs may well help to take the side to a challenging position within the next few weeks.  Everton; Rankin; Parker, Brown; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple. Tottenham Hotspur; Jennings; Knowles, Henry; Mullery, Norman, Beal; Robertson, Greaves, Saul, Jones, Dyson. 

THREE FOR PICKERING AS EVERTON CRUSH SPURS
Liverpool Football Echo - Saturday 29 August 1964
CLEAR-CUT VICTORY EARNS TOP PALCE
EVERTON 4, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1
By Michael Charters

Everton; Rankin; Parker (Captain), Brown; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Vernon, Temple. Tottenham Hotspur; Jennings; Knowles, Henry; Mullery, Norman, Beal; Robertson, Greaves, Saul, Jones, Dyson.  Referee. - Mr. K. Stokes (Newark).  There was another crowd in excess of 50,000 for the visit of Spurs to GoodisonPark to-day. Saul got into the crowd's bad books from the start witha couple of fouls. Twice Pickering, going up for the ball, seemed to be sandwiched between Spurs defenders but the referee waved play on. Scott showed he had tool much pace for Henry and created a fine opening but centred the ball too far and the chance had gone. Everton were playing into a strong sun and it troubled the defenders when facing high clearances from the Spurs half of the field.
GOOD INTERCEPTION
First shot came from Vernon which was gathered low down by Jennings and then the Welshman linked up neatly with Temple only to see Mullery make a goodinterception of the final pass. Everton worked the ball down the right with a series of throw-ins but the final one saw Stevens obstructing Beal and the result was a free kick to Spurs.  So far the game had been fast without there being much good football. When Everton’s defence looked a little slow to clear Greaves stepped in typical style to unleash a shot which no-one expected and rather surprised Rankin who made a half save for Labone to complete the clearance. Spurs’ defence in turn looked panicky when Everton pressed but they managed to clear from two quick corner-kicks.  Temple moved in quickly through a mistake by Mullery and hit a great shot on the run with Jennings turned away for a corner with a fine save.  This was cleared and Spurs swept away through Robertson who closed in and hit a strong angled shot which Rankin turned away with an equally good save.  Brown made a fine interception to rob Saul of a chance and the Spurs centre forward reacted badly without incurring a free kick but the crowd booed him whenever he went towards the ball.  An angled shot from Pickering neatly saved by Jennings was Everton’s first threat for some time. Spurs were beginning to make most of the running and Greaves was only inches wide with a great shot from the left.  Spurs were playing with more composure than Everton, whose half-back service was not good.  Temple tried one of his weaving runs but was tackled in the act of shooting by Knowles and Dixon. 

Everton took the lead rather against the run of play after 25 minutes through Pickering, helped by a goalkeeper mistake.  From a corner on the left the ball broke off a defender to Pickering who turned quickly and hit a low shot, Jennings seemed to have the ball covered but allowed it to hit his arm and deflect into the corner of the net. From the restart Dyson went down the left and from his centre Greaves tried an overhead kick, the ball being only a foot or two off target.  Parker came deep into the, Spurs' half to lay on a good shooting chance for Scott, but, the winger hit the ball badly and it went wide.  Everton were playing well now thanks to the impetus of Pickering's goal. The centre forward beat Norman brilliantly after Harris had made the early running, but pulled his shot wide after working his way into a fine shooting position.  Brown was one of Everton's best players and he made several timely interceptions and tackles to keep Robertson quiet.  Greaves was allowed to goon when fully 10 yards offside and it was only after he had shot into the side netting that the linesman put his flag up—an odd decision, to say the least.  Vernon, who had been rather quiet, particularly in shooting, nearly got a goal when he moved in quickly to take a deflection off Norman's foot, but he shot over with the goalkeeper well beaten.  Then the left wing pair worked well together for Vernon to try a shot which Jennings turned round the post brilliantly.  From the corner Mulleryheaded over the bar to save another dangerous position.  Greaves's ball distribution could not have been better but the Everton defence was playing strongly and well.  Spurs looked better when Dyson and Robertson switched positions and Robertson moved into the middle to hit a good shot which Rankin turned away brilliantly. But when the goalkeeper later failed to cut out a centre from the right, Jones, with an open goal, headed wide.  Pickering was crowded out when trying find a shooting position, and then, in this fascinating game which had so many different phases, Spurs turned on the pressure and Everton were at full stretch to hold them.  Half-time. -Everton 1, Tottenham Hotspurs nil. 
Spurs restarted with a good move involving Robertson and Greaves, but Rankin came out very fast from his line to pick up the ball from Greaves.  Knowles, under pressure from Pickering, was lucky to see his header go straight to Jennings when he must have had little idea of what was going on.  Brown was having a splendid game, and the crowd gave him a great reception.
 
VERNON KNOCK-OUT 
There were ironic cheers when the referee, who had been exceptionally strict, gave Everton a free kick for a foul on Scott. From the kick, Pickering headed the ball forward and Vernon knocked himself out in trying to challenge the goalkeeper.  So far this half, the game had not been as interesting as it was earlier. The sides were very evenly matched.  Temple, tenaciously sticking to his task when outnumbered, managed to win a corner from which Everton increased their lead after 59 minutes.  Vernon took the corners kick and Young, coming up into the attack for practically the first time in the game, went up high and nodded a lovely goal, the ball going just inside the upright.  Everton cleared a dangerous free kick and then Vernon sent Scott away to produce a fantastic goalmouth scene with Tottenham lucky not to be three down.  Both Scott and Pickering had close-range shots charged down, and it seemed to me that Jennings impeded Pickering at one point, but eventually the goalkeeper dived on the ball and retrieved it.  Scott had improved 100 per cent, this half. He sped past Henry and put in a fine shot which beat Jennings and just missed the far post.  Everton's improvement over Tuesday night, stemmed principally from much better displays by the half backs.  After 67 minutes Everton conceded their first goal of the season—a good header from Jones which was the only effective thing he had done all afternoon.  Greases chipped the ball to the left wing where Beal put across a god centre and Jones went up well to head the ball away into the top corner of the net.  Greaves' brilliance was always a feature when Spurs attacked. His superb chip over the head of Labone was remarkable but somehow Labone recovered to concede a corner.  Although Spurs were right back in the game now Pickering relieved the pressure witha magnificent run down the left. After 73 minutes, Pickering put Everton’s lead back to two with a goal similar to his first.  In this case, however, it was from a free kick awarded for a foul on himself just outside the area.  He hammered the ball low through a crowd of players, straight at Jennings who got a hand to it and deflected it into the net, as he had done with the first goal.  Pickering was delighting the crowd with his power and more important power of shot.  He cut his way into the Spurs penalty area and delivered a tremendous left-foot drive which Jennings could only push out.  Another Spurs defender got it away for a corner.

A GREAT DAY
With ten minutes to go Everton made it a great dayfor their fans with their goal—and Pickering's third.  This time be had an easy task for Scott broke through cleverly and bit a fine shotwhich Jennings only half saved. The ball bounced gently out to who turned it calmly over the line.   Another fine run by the centre forward when he was crowded out through weight of numbers saw the crowd start a “Pickering " chant for first time that I can remember.  Everton were falling back on defence in the closing minutes, which the crowd did not like, but this very clear-cut victory had sent them comfortably to the head of the table, and you couldn’t have better than that.  Final; Everton 4, Tottenham Hotspur 1

PRESON NORTH END RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 29 August 1964
Preston N.E Res;- Stewart; Patrick, Selway; Rollo, Wearmouth, Lapot; Hannigan, Lee, Greenhalgh, Hope, Coleman. Everton Res.- West; Darcy, Curwen; Clarke, Helsop, Sharples; Shaw, Harvey, Hill, Humphreys, Morrissey.  Referee. Mr. C.P. Ackroyd (Leeds).  Everton opened with a shock goal after two minutes, Stewart had saved from Morrissey in the opening raid, and Everton came back again for Hill to convert a backward centre from Shaw.  A few minutes later, after an almost identical move by the same winger, Harvey shot over.  North end were lively opposition, and a shot from Lee was deflected round the post before Heslop made an ill-judged back pass and West had to smother the ball as Greenhalgh got his foot to it.  The Everton wingers, who were particularly dangerous, frequently outwitted the home full backs.  Hill tried two shots.  His first was headed by Stewart.  Second was brilliant saved out by Wearmouth and the Everton were the classier side and fully deserved their interval lead.  Half-time; Preston Res nil, Everton Res 1.

ANDY RANKIN’S NAME NOTED BY INTERNATIONAL SELECTORS
Liverpool Daily Post-Monday, August 31, 1964
GOODISON ROAR SPELLS A RESPECT FOR LIVERPOOL
THREE-GOAL FRED PICKERING WINS ACCEPTANCE FIGHT
EVERTON 4, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1
By Horace Yates
Now came the first League tables of the season and there is Everton leading the field, with the best defensive record of all and an attacking return almost equally so.  Three successive victories have set the Goodison beacon of good hope blazing brightly, and all this has been achieved without half back kingpins in Gabriel and Kay, and on Saturday Ramon Wilson as well. Only the blindest partisan would suggest Everton’s driver is already of the steam variety and that it like being a question of who will finish second to then.  A tremendous start it undoubtedly it, but to place complacency where it belongs it is as well to remember the part played by the superlative feats of twenty-year0old goalkeeper Andy Rankin.
MATCH-SAVER
Not only was he the match-saver against Nottingham Forest, but again in the over-throw of Tottenham at Goodison park, his superiority over Jennings in Spurs’ goal when it really mattered in the first half was a vital factor.  Anything less than 100 per cent, efficiency on Rankin’s part would almost certainly have sent Everton in at half-time with arrears to make up. Not surprising Rankin’s feats have already earned him the admiration of England’s selectors. A maintenance of standards will certainly bring him recognition as England’s under-23 goalkeeper, and I know that already there are those willing to push his claims even further.  Rankin has made the first impression.  He has only to keep it up to ensure a real break through. Gabriel is eligible for the return game with Nottingham Forest to-morrow, so that Stevens and Young are now in direct competition for the inside right position.  On the evidence of this game, I believe Young will stay.  Not only did he score the second goal (59 minutes) with an accurate header to separate three goals from centre forward Pickering, but his attacking contribution with cleverly placed passes weighted the scale in his favour.  If crowd reaction is any worthwhile guide, Pickering is now accepted as undisputed tenant of the centre forward position, despite an unfading loyalty to Young.  Pickering has won his fight on cheer merit.
GIFTED OPPORTUNIST
Seldom has such a big-money buy had to earn his recognition so grudgingly, for ousting Young in the affections of such a fervent following has constituted a task which only genuine performance could have surmounted. With four goals in his last two games Pickering has patently demonstrated the role he is able to play in furthering Everton’s cause. Critics may argue that his scores on Saturday were devoid of any touch of genius and that he was aided by deflections but in the scoring of them Pickering accomplished the task for which he was brought. He has prove himself a tremendously gifted opportunist and it is this ability to snap up trifles, plus a football skill which only now is beginning to be appreciated, that will make Everton envied for power where it counts.  Pickering’s goals came from a corner kick (25), free kick (72), and a goalkeeper indiscretion (80), but who can doubt the efficiency with which they were snapped up?
With Pickering in the middle, I say without reservation Everton’s centre-forward potency is greater than at any time since Lawton was wreaking havoc in opposing defences-and we have not yet seen the best of Pickering!
TEMPLE CRITICISM
Criticise Temple if you like for attempting too much single handed, but this is a complaint to which I do not subscribe.  Only a lack of confidence in his own prowess has previously held Temple back.  Now the confidence is there and with Scott playing his most penetrating football since coming from Scotland, that Everton line is alive and danger-laden. For the moment Vernon may be somewhat over-shadowed, but experience has shown there is no reason to doubt his qualities. All of which adds up to an assembly of might which, possibly reinforced here and there could help to maintain Everton in the proud position they have taken up from the outset of a season that gives promise of honours and entertainment in most satisfying measure. Labone’s mastery of Saul was such as to suggest that Tottenham are still far removed from a centre forward solution.  Greaves was unfortunate on more than one occasion that his threat should fall short of accomplishment.  Yet there was little reason to be other than happy with Harris’ display. Jones occasionally sparked off dancing, darting runs to advertise his artistry, but Tottenham are only deluding themselves that inside forward is the point from which he can best aid their attack.  That White vacancy has still to be filled. Spurs have their worries too at half back, but one signing which is right in the White Hart tradition is that of Robertson.  His speedy raiding and power of shot might have brought him two or three goals.  Only Rankin rather than any shortcoming was his barrier.  There was just one spell after Jones (66) had headed the first goal of the season into the Everton net when the Londoners threatened to turn the tables, but Everton’s victory was as meritorious as it was emphatic. Spurs are not the force they have been for so many rewarding years and I shall be surprised if they rank for (inclusion among the teams most seriously to challenge Everton’s intent to keep the First Division title on Merseyside for a third year.  It seems certain that Everton will have to face at least another two games without Ray Wilson.  The indications are however, that brown can help Parker to deal satisfactorily with the emergency.  For all Liverpool’s depressing opening, the roar which greeted the announcement of their defeat at Blackburn can only be interpreted as a reflection of Everton’s appreciation that possibly the biggest threat to their ambitions may still come from Anfield. Everton; Rankin; Parker, Brown; Stevens, Labone, Harris; Scott, Young, Pickering, Vernon, Temple. Tottenham Hotspur; Jennings; Knowles, Henry; Mullery, Norman, Beal; Robertson, Greaves, Saul, Jones, Dyson. Referee Mr. K, Stokes (Newark). Attendance 55,148. 

PICKERING AND GREAVES SHARE TOP BILLING
Liverpool Echo - Monday 31 August 1964
By Leslie Edwards
With six points out of six; seven goals for and one against and Pickering taking his chances almost with the deadliness of a Dean, Everton have started faultlessly, so far as figures are concerned.  What makes this the more remarkable is that they have done it without Gabriel and Kay and, on Saturday, that other highly respected defender, full-back Wilson.  The question arises, now Gabriel’s suspension has ended: Who goes out of the side for the match at Nottingham to-morrow? And will Everton confirm in that match, more than they did in the game against the same opponents last week, their right to be considered likely champions?  Certainly the club have had, from their makeshift eleven, three solid victories, the most satisfying, perhaps, the one they got against Tottenham. It was dear fromthe start on Saturday that the 55,000 crowd at Goodison Park felt that victory in this match, apart from keeping their team at the top of the table, would be counted something special. For a time, Tottenham gave promise, and when they went 2-0 down they had something of a revival, but in the end the 4-I ticket was as near right as makes nomatter. The coincidence of Liverpool's defeat at Blackburn "made" the Evertonian's day and sent everyone home believing that the new Everton-the one whichdoesn't argue with the referee or the opposition, but sensibly gets on with its business-could take the title again.  A good start means a great deal. A good start in spite of being without two of your most dependable performers is something most clubs rarely get. 
HARD, GOOD, WELL REFEREED
It was a hard match and a good one and well refereed by Mr. Stokes. There was good team work from both sides more brilliance, individually, than one usually gets even in a meeting of these two top-drawer sides. In most people's book Pickering scored a hat-trick.  In mine it was three goals all right but not consecutively. Young's glancing header from a Vernon corner - the game's best score-spoiled the sequence. I am old fashioned enough to rank a hat-trick as three successively and to count it no penalty goal after the shooter's initial shot is saved and he scores from the rebound!  Pickering showed he has more than a big shot and the intelligence to use it as often as opportunity allows.  He drifted out to either wing to get out of the clutches of Norman, an even bigger, taller man whose heading- away of passes meant for the centre-forward was one of the game's many features. Pickering's trusty right foot, taking the ball along tantalizingly close to defenders, had Tottenham dizzy at times and with the ball on the ground, at least, it Norman who needed to be apprehensive.  Tottenham had had two or three misses before Pickering got his first goal. He turned quickly after the ball had remained uncleared from a left-wing corner and slammed it in with the goalkeeper, Jennings, misjudging the line or flight and being struck on the legs by the ball before is passed over the line.  Young's fine goal at 59 minutes seemed to seal everything, but it wasn't long before Jones, unrecognizably ordinary at inside-forward, headed a goal for Spurs and opened possibility of recovery.
TOUCHES OF GENIUS
Pickering, with a free-kick slapped a foot or two to him by Vernon, made it 3-1 with a shot the goalkeeper touched but failed to hold. His third goal, easily gained, came after Jennings had half-saved Scott's angled shot. If Pickering had taken all his chances he might have scored five, so in many respects he was the man of the match. But considering he was in a beaten team     it was that remarkable little man, Greaves, who impressed me more as a chance-taker and maker. Put him on any field amongst an amateur side and physically he would seen to be in his right sphere. But what artistry and control of the ball there is in those wonderful footballing feet. The Everton crowd recognised his skill and marked it with applause. His ability to take the ball away when outnumbered by tacklers determined not to give him an inch of space: his overhead hitch-kick shot which finished just wide; his shot after a quick pivot, which Rankin saved splendidly; his half-volley which clipped the turf and crossed the goal-face to beat the far post by inches and, best of all, his jugglery at the Stanley Park end when he threatened to lob the ball over a defender in five yards of space and round his man to get what would have been a goal worth two. These things the crowd acknowledged as touches of footballing genius, but in other respects the Tottenham line was pedestrian. Only when they switched their wings did they begin to threaten Everton's two-goal lead. 
NEVER DULLNESS
As I saw it, Everton won handsomely, convincingly in the end, but not at every stage of a volatile, exciting game in which there was never dullness.  At the outset, it seemed Everton's massed defence had Tottenham baffled. It wasn't long before some astute through passes were finding 'Spurs players moving through dangerously. I liked Temple's double effort (once after the whistle had gone) to shoot a goal from a well-placed throw-in; I liked his propensity for almost being a team in himself in a personal second half assault in which he refused to yield possession near the corner flag. Vernon had a better game. The wing half backs, though better than against Nottingham Forest, never showed complete command of ahead of their opponents. Tottenham created too many opportunities, most of them missed, for the Everton defence as a whole to he credited with a great performance, Brown was excellent; so was Rankin, who got a knock on the knee. In the second half, at least, it was Scott's Inspiration which led to Everton's further success. Henry, the 'Spurs captain, had no answer to his speed. Tottenham showed great skill at several points-Mullery, Greaves, and the young winger Robertson proving themselves players of the highest class. Cliff Jones, who puts his imprint on most games when on the wing, was guilty at inside forward of misplacement after misplacement. With only three matches gone, it is too early to try to assess Everton's championship chances, but they have started as a championship side should. It is up to them, starting at Nottingham to-morrow, to consolidate their promising position.