TOP MIDFIELD MAN IS EVERTON’S BIG PRIORITY IN EURPEAN
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 02 May 1970
EVERTON manager Harry Catterick has just spent four busy days, checking on Scottish junior players—but, during the close season, his sights will be set much higher. The Everton priority is an experienced midfield between player, to boost the overall quality of the first-team squad.  Everton intend to go into Europe as well- equipped as possible. The money is available at Goodison to land the right man, -indeed, price is the last consideration.  And Everton's manager will be sounding other clubs, to check if the type of player he wants is available. Clearly, the quality requirements are high; but you can expect Everton to move swiftly, should they receive any encouragement for one of the players who would measure up to their standard. Everton have made little impact in Europe, in past years they had the misfortune to come up against teams like Inter-Milan and Real Zaragoza, early in their quest for European honours.
The sweeping success of English clubs in recent seasons of European conquest will doubtless spur Everton to follow suit. And this is one reason the hunt for another player of top talent is under way.

CATTERICK –WHY HE WON’T BE LURED BY THE LIRE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 04 May 1970
Everton manager Harry Catterick will NOT be lured to Italy, land of Soccer lire. Suggestions that two crack Italian clubs were ready to double his salary were squashed flat to-day by an Italian. Gigi Peronace, secretary of the committee organizing the Anglo-Italian tournament, told me from London (writes Stan Liversedge): "There is no question of as Italian club appointing a manager or a coach from abroad.” The rules of the Italian F.A do not permit this. And this has been the situation for months." It seems there was a ' temporary loophole, at the time Juventus wanted Malcolm Allison, of Manchester City. But that has now been closed. And Peronace, who negotiated the transfers of stars like Denis Law, Jimmy Greaves, Joe Baker, John Charles and Gerry Hitchens, said: “There is no suggestion that the ban on foreign managers and coaches will be lifted." Two English clubs were also said to be willing to make Everton’s manager the highest-paid soccer boss in Britain -you could probably add more clubs to the list of those who envy Everton their manager. But he is on long-term contract with Everton.
The new exclusive 300 and 500 clubs, to be built in Everton's new stand, are now full. The 300 Club has been full for a few weeks and sufficient applications have now been received to fill the 500 Club.

£150,000 JACKPOT AWAITS EVERTON IN THE EUROPEAN CUP
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 06 May 1970
By Stan Liversedge
Everton are poised their second tilt at the European Cup next season—and the jackpot for success could stand a high as £150,000. That is the figure manager Harry Catterick estimates a run to the final in the European Cup could be worth to Everton. Yet, he says: "I don' regard the European Cup as the be-all and end-all " I still believe that winning the championship of the English First Division is the greatest achievement of the lot.  “For the standard of our domestic competition is the highest and you have to be consistently successful to win it.  “In fact, there have been teams recently in European competition who wouldn’t stand much chance of winning our First Division title, in my opinion.”  Everotn are now in the position which faced Leeds United last season –they will be trying for a treble Cup and F.A Cup.  Does Catterick believe they can pull off the treble-or even that they should got for all three-“You have to take things as they come,” he says.  “Obviously, all the other teams will be trying to beat us.  But it is not a question of going consciously for one trophy or another.  “Circumstances can dictate matters to some degree –you start off with three commitments, get two of three injuries at a critical time, and you realize you haven’t really got the all-round strength to capture every honour.  “We shall go into next seasons as well-equipped as possible, and we hope to well on all fronts.”  Europe may not be the ball all and end-all, but it will certainly motivate Everton’s ambitions.  They have won the League twice; they have won the F.A Cup…and the European Cup beckons.  More than that, their previous excursions into European have foundered because they came up against two teams at their peak- Inter Milan and Real Zaragoza-during the early rounds.  And certainly the European Cup is a money spinner.  The further Everton go, the more likely they are to hit the jackpot figure of £150,000.  For that sort of cash you might land a top-class player…free. 

HUMPHREYS SIGNED BY PALACE
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 06 May 1970
By Chris James
Crystal Palace today swooped to sign Everton's former Welsh Under - 23 winger Gerry Humphreys for a fee believed to be about £10,000.  Humphrey’s is the second Everton player to have moved to a London club this season, as he follows goalkeeper Geoff Barnett who signed for Arsenal for £30,000, six months ago. Humphreys who played one game this season in Everton's march to the League championship , was included in Everton's retained list but the club announced they were prepared to listen to offers for him. Crystal Palace manager Bert Head said: "Our first team squad has been fairly light and we wanted to strengthen it for next season. “Gerry will go into that squad and it will be up to him to take it from there. “I first fancied him after watching him play for the Welsh Under-23s against the Scots at Wrexham, when he was the pick of the Welshmen." Palace narrowly avoided relegation in their First Division and Humphreys has been bought in a bid to consolidate their hard-won position and to help Palace establish themselves as a First Division side. There could be another outgoing from Goodison Park shortly. For Barnsley are taking an interest in defender Billy Brindle who has been given a free transfer.

EVERTON CHIEF TO MISS MEXICO
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 06 May 1970
Everton manager Harry Catterick WON'T be joining the posse of club bosses going to Mexico for the World Cup, writes Stan Liversedge. He will be keeping a close watch on transfer developments at home.' Apart from two weeks' holiday abroad. Everton's manager will be on hand at Bellefield, the club's training headquarters, planning for next season and ready to move, if the right players become available, Catterick says: "Ideally, I would like two more men to strengthen my first-team pool. One would be a midfield players.  If I could get a man of the right calibre. "More and more, in p resent-day football, midfield players hold the key. And you can't really have enough of them on your staff, stress that any move for players would be to make my first-team pool stronger. Right now, even the best would have a job, trying to get into the championship team." There is no doubt Everton have the cash ready; and they know their requirements. Whether or not a player becomes available a player who measures up remains to be seen. But Everton realize their commitments next season will stretch their resources. And they don't want to be caught out.

A NEW JOB FOR DAD AT NORTH END
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 13 May 1970
Everton's England star, Alan Ball, had a cable from his wife, Lesley, yesterday, saying ... "Happy birthday." For he was 25. And within the next 48 hours, another cable is likely to wing its way to Mexico—telling young Alan that his father will be leaving Halifax to become the manager of Preston North End writes Stan Liversedge. The man he took Halifax out of the Fourth Division, for the first time in their history, looks set to he handed the job of steering relegated Preston back to Division 2, in one season —if he can get his release from the Yorkshire club.  Halifax, no doubt, will do their utmost to keep him: but I believe they will lose the battle. Preston held a board meeting last night, and I understand six men were on the short list for the job. But, at the end, it was Ball who was offered the job.
Contrast
Ball wasn't at Halifax to-day, or at his home; and Preston chairman, Tom Nicholson, could not be contacted, either. But I believe the only snag which stands between Ball and the Preston job, is whether or not he can get his release from Halifax, where he is under contract.
Ball has certainly impressed soccer judges in a comparatively short time. He played for Southport, Accrington and Birmingham, then went non-League as player-manager, and. finally, as manager.
His first League club was Stoke, where he became coach, only about three years ago. Then he left there, and after scouting for one or two League clubs, he joined Halifax, as manager.
To-morrow, he could be on the move again—to Preston

BRINDLE FOR BARNSLEY
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 13 May 1970
Billy Brindle, one of Everton's young midfield players, has signed for Third Division Barnsley (writes Mike Charters) Although under contract to Everton, manager Harry Catterick allowed Brindle to go on a free transfer The former Liverpool schoolboy played only one League game for Everton since joining them from school, but was a regular Central League player. He made one first team appearance last season in the League Cup tie at Manchester City.

CATTERICK TURNS DOWN FRIENDLY GAMES
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 14 May 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton have received numerous offers from German and Italian clubs, offering pre-season dates for friendly games to tune up for the start of next season. But manager Harry Catterick has turned them all down. . He said: “I’m not keen on taking the team to the Continent, despite the attractive offers we have had. “I always try to arrange a three-match programme for our warmup schedule. One of them will be the Charity Shield game against the F.A. Cup holders, Chelsea, on August 8, we are likely to pay our traditional visit to Dublin to play Shamrock Rovers: and the third match could be a return fixture with German League club Offenbach Kickers " When we played Offenbach in Germany 15 months ago, we had to send a very much weakened team, because of international calls. “We had a tentative arrangement for a return at Goodison, and it looks likely that we will be able to fit this in before next season.”
Venue
The venue for the Charity Shield game will be decided in about two weeks' time and Mr. Catterick hopes the toss of a coin will mean the game goes on at Goodison. He says: " Work on the new stand is proceeding to schedule and I don't think it would prevent us staging the Chelsea or Offenbach games on our own ground. 
Meanwhile at the Bellefield training ground, major work is in progress on ground improvements, and training is going on almost as much as in the season. Apart from the apprentices, who train daily, all the young professionals go up about three days a week and players like Joe Royle, Alan Whittle and Roger Kenyon are there most days.

EVERTON QUASH ‘TAKE-OVER’
Liverpool Echo - Friday 15 May 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton promotions manager David Exalt today quashed a suggestion that the club behind what was described as a take-over bid by League clubs of all pools operations within clubs." Supporters' clubs delegates, at their annual meeting in Llandudno, had been told of a letter sent to League clubs by Mr. Exall. But the letter, which was quoted to the conference, had been misinterpreted. Mr. Exalt said: “The letter was sent out by me asking clubs to consider the formation of a commercial managers' association. “It has now been formed, and its main purpose is to make available to all League clubs and their promotions staff legal and professional advice in drawing up their pools plans. "I was on the steering committee of the association and that is why the original letter came from Everton. Promotions managers like myself believed it would be a good thing to form our own association, similar to one which secretaries and managers have "The Supporters' Clubs conference has clearly misread my letter. We do not seek to prevent supporters' organiastions running their own pools promotions."

THE MAN WHO’S OUT TO MAKE PRESTON PROUND
Liverpool Echo - Monday 18 May 1970
WHILE Alan Ball, of Everton, is bracing himself for the rigours of World Cup warfare with England in the heat and altitude of Mexico, his father is sunning himself to-day on the beach at Palma Nova, Majorca. Ball senior and his wife flew to the Mediterranean Isle yesterday. When he returns, he plunges into the task of taking once-proud Preston back into the Second Division… and then into the First. Ball, I can reveal, was snapped up by Preston only just in time—for a southern Second Division club, ambitious to make the First next season, were ready to pay him  £6,000 a year, to do the managerial job for them. That's how highly clubs rate success these days -and Ball has been successful. As a coach he helped Stoke to rise to the top half-dozen in Division 1; as a manager he took Halifax out of Division 4… and on a shoestring budget. "
Potential
Now I've set myself the task of taking Preston back into the First Division, in the next five years," he told me just before he left for Majorca. "There is tremendous potential at Preston -they're going to build a super-city which will embrace the Preston area, and in a few years' time there could be three-quarters of a million people there." All, of course, ready to be converted to North End by their Soccer-fanatic manager.  In two weeks' time Ball returns from Palma Nova to start the immediate task of assessing his needs and one of his first jobs will be to arrange a short, preseason tour for his players. "I haven't seen Preston play, so I’ve got an open mind about everything. But a few pre-season games should give me a good idea of the playing strength… and what needs to be done," said Ball.
Influence
"There will be some cash to spend, if I decide this is necessary. But there is a fine youth policy under way at Deepdale, from what I have seen, and I'll be keeping my eyes open for up-and-coming youngsters “Alan Ball is the man who determined that Alan Ball -his son -should achieve Soccer stardom. The father didn't turn the lad into a star on his own -but nobody exercised a greater influence over his career. Ball senior ignored even family criticisms, in his single-minded self-imposed task. And now young Alan is a   £200,000 world-class player on World Cup duty with England for the second time in four years. Does manager Ball hope to unearth a new Alan Ball at Deepdale? “-Of course ... f d like to think that I could find a lad who would become just as good as my son. Weil, almost," said Ball with a grin. "The one thing about which I'm sure and which the players at Preston will soon find out for themselves—is that I want men who are dedicated, determined, fit ... and playing to win. "I'm like young Alan a terrible loser. I want to win, and I want my players to want to win. "Soccer to-day is a hard career: one for lads who are single-minded. Of course, a lad must have innate ability. But if he's frightened, or not 100 per cent, fit or dedicated, he won't reap the for rewards. - Two -and-a-half years Ball travelled almost daily from his Farnworth home to Halifax 76 miles, there and back. It will take him only 25 minutes to reach Deepdale. But once he gets there he'll be pitching in. And he'll be set on making North End Proud Preston … against as soon as possible.

SIR ALF BOOSTS THE CLAIMS OF EVERTON TRIO
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 20 May 1970
England chief Sir Alf Ramsey has given local players in his squad a big boost to their World Cup ambitions by naming five out of the six for the two games in Bogota, Colombia, to-night, which he is using as warm-up tests in high altitude conditions. Everton fans will be interested in his choice of Keith Newton in place of Tommy Wright in the full England team to play Colombia, plus Brian Labone's inclusion over Jack Charlton at centre-half. Alan Ball, of course, must be regarded as one of the certainties for a regular spot but as this is the first clue of Sir Alf’s team selection ideas for the World Cup games in Mexico next month, the Labone - Newton - Wright permutations provide plenty of local speculation. 

ENGLAND CONQUER THE HEIGHTS OF BOGOTA!
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 21 May 1970
Harry Gray in Bogota
ENGLAND reached the heights, and conquered them, in beating Colombia 4-0 in Bogota last night with a glowing exhibition of Soccer that must silence skeptical South American tongues. It was a heady aperitif before the World Cup and a warning to the challengers gathering in Mexico that the champions have fully learned to adopt their game to altitude. There was not a single sign of distress either from the full England team, who played with such lofty magnificence, nor their shadow squad who made the marathon evening a double-barreled success by defeating a Colombian X1 1-0. Two fine first half goals from Martin Peters, a typical swerving effort by 101 times capped Bobby Charlton (his 49th goal for England) and a tumbling header by the effervescent Alan Ball, gave England their greatest victory over Latin American opposition and their highest win away from home since they beat Norway 6-1 before the last World Cup.
One-Upmanship
Geoff Astle, who came on as a second half substitute for Brian Kidd, headed the winning goal for the England " Reserves" in an encounter that lacked the finesse of the senior game but nonetheless served a purpose in proving the fitness and keenness of all those standing by for Mexico England gained some psychological one-upmanship on Brazil who could only win 2-0 here in a World Cup qualifying match. There is no doubt that the team fielded by England last night is the one most likely to kick off against Rumania on June 2.  They had the friendly Colombian crowd applauding a display that embodied some old-fashioned Anglo - Saxon heartiness with a lazy looking impertinence that was a parody of Latin- American technique. True, Colombia were no Brazil, and Bogota's National Stadium, set in the cool, wet foothills of the Andes, is not the crucible of Guadalajara. But at least England showed that they can play and win comfortably at an altitude far higher than they need to experience in Mexico. As in 1966, England are beginning to prove that the more they are together the better they become. Teamwork and understanding last night was obviously the direct result of the two weeks spent toning up in Mexico City. They had a cohesive, easy grace that undoubtedly caused a worried furrow or two on the on -looking Brazilian spies. Typically, Sir Alf played down the victory. Describing it as a “Good run out, for the lads," he added: “I am very pleased with the result of both matches. No-one has complained of being affected by altitude and we must remember it was a very punishing ground. The players feel much better now than they did when we played at altitude last year. It is very encouraging."
Punishing
One of the outstanding features of the senior match was the form of full-backs Keith Newton and Terry Cooper. Both played tigerishly with Cooper showing his usual adventure and helping to bring about England's final goal. Theirs seems to be the most fruitful pairing since Cohen and Wilson. Heartening, too, was the manner in which the old guard of Bobby Charlton, Hurst, Ball, Moore and Peters underlined their mastery and a comparison with the earlier representative match showed that talented as Clarke, Osgood, Coates and co may be, they are not yet in the class of their sophisticated seniors.  Now, as Alf’s army and its entourage moves up to Quite today, comes the time to reckoning for the six who must be eliminated from the squad.  On last night’s evidence Kidd, Osgood and sadly Coates and Wright could be among them. 

THE AXE HOVERS’-BUT BRIAN’S HAPPY
Liverpool Echo - Friday 22 May 1970
By Harry Gray
QUITO, Friday.—As England prepare for their final warm-up games against Ecuador on Sunday, Sir Alf Ramsey is taking stock, as the axe hovers over six of his 28 players. But as Ramsey ponders this question, he must be delighted about one of the most significant aspects of England s win in Colombia—and that was the way Brian Labone of Everton, finally found his international feet, and established himself over Jackie Charlton as first choice centre-half. Labour told me: “I really enjoyed myself in that match, and I felt no effects.  There was a time last season when I thought I'd miss Mexico, and while I played in two of the home internationals, I wasn't exactly satisfied with my form.  But now I'm feeling really fit, and pleased”
Ball was delighted to hear of the appointment of his father, Alan senior, as Preston North End manager. “My dad will sort them out." he said "I’ve always said that Alf Ramsey is the greatest manager in the world-next to my old man

WHY I DON’T HAVE REGRETS…BY GORDON WEST
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 23 May 1970
EVERTON goalkeeper Gordon West could have been in Mexico, with England’s World Cup squad: ` Instead, he's settled for the quiet life… like painting the outside of his house, in Maghull.   West told Sir Alf Ramsey months ago: "Please don't consider me for Mexico." And today, he says. "I've NO regrets, even though I know I'm missing out on a tremendous sporting occasion. “I’ve been quite happy, since the League season ended, doing some sunbathing, some gardening and, when the mood takes me, painting the house. . - It will probably take me another couple of months before I get the house finished but it still be easier on me than being in Mexico "Sure, the financial rewards for the England players could be tremendous, if they are successful -but it's going to be darned hard work, out there. "However, the cash didn't enter into it, or the physical effort involved. By the time we had won the title at Everton I was whacked, mentally. "I knew I would feel like that I always do, at the end of a hard season.  And it wouldn't have been fair to myself or to England, for me to go to Mexico feeling laded. “I’ve been on tour before—l went with England to South America last year. And I knew exactly what it would be like, for me. That's why, even now, I've no regrets about opting out of the chance to go to the World Cup. “We’re going away with the kids to the Norfolk Broads shortly, and then my wife and I will have nine days In Italy, soaking up the sun.
Refreshed
Right now, I’m happy enough to be away from football. But when I report back for training at Bellefield, in mid-July, I’ll be refreshed and eager to get back into action.  That's how it should be, I feel." So, like millions of other people in this country, Gordon West will be a mere spectator —via the telly—when England kick off in the World Cup. His Everton team-mates—Brian Labone, Alan Ball, Keith Newton and Tommy Wright—are out there. But West stays home. For him, a rest is as good as a change.

E-V-E-R-T-O-N OLE!-DOWN MEXICO ENGLAND
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 28 May 1970
England arrived at the Guadalajara World Cup headquarters to be greeted by a group of fans with included two men from Merseyside-and a banner proclaiming; “Everton-England.”  The fans will lead the cheers, when England tackle Rumania in their first game next Tuesday….and five of them, who have embarked on a round-the-world tour, arrived in a mini-bus.  One of the touring group is 22-years-old Ray Williams, of Liscard.  He’s an Everton fan.  Ray said; “When Alan ball saw the banner, he was tickled pink.  “He stopped to have a word with us, even though he was obviously tired from travelling.”  The mini-bus fans were joined by hitch-hiker Paul Metcalfe, aged 23, from Kirkdale.  He is another Everton supporter. 

EVERTON FANS WIN ACCOLADE
Liverpool Echo - Friday 29 May 1970
Everton fans have been highly commended for their sporting behavior last season, as part of the John White awards scheme, run in conjunction with the Football League, writes Michael Charters.  Last year Everton supporters shared, with West Bromwich, the award for the best behaved supporters in the First Division. 

TOSS GOES AGAINST EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 30 May 1970
By Mike Charters
The F.A. Charity Shield between Everton and Chelsea will be played at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. August 8, a week before the opening League game. There was no question of Everton conceding choice of venue to Chelsea because of the major building work on the new stand at Goodison Park. Everton have always considered that work would be sufficiently advanced by then to permit a game to be staged at that time but, now, they have lost the traditional toss of a coin for choice of venue. Everton chairman Jack Sharp and Chelsea chairman Brian Mears met at the annual dinner of the managers and secretaries in London last night, and decided to toss the coin before to-day's League annual meeting. With League assistant secretary Eric Howarth acting as “referee." Mr. Mears called correctly.