LABONE AND BROWN IN RESERVE TEAM
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 01 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Brian Labone, Everton captain until replaced by Alan Ball this season, and a World Cup star in Mexico this summer, will not be back in the first team for the game at Manchester United tomorrow. He was named in the reserve side for the Central League fixture against United reserves at Goodison Park tonight. He was dropped for the match at Chelsea last Wednesday with 21- years-old Roger Kenyon taking his place. Kenyon stayed for the home game with Manchester City, and manager Harry Catterick keeps him there tomorrow. Sandy Brown, who has deputised in two games while Colin Harvey was recovering from injury, is also in the reserves party to-night, so will not be required for Old Trafford if Howard Kendall fails a fitness test tomorrow. Kendall bruised his right shoulder last Saturday and was in considerable pain over the weekend. But he is in the 14- strong parts named by Mr. Catterick this afternoon. Irish international Tommy Jackson is in the first team party for the first time this season and looks the obvious choice if Kendall cannot play to-morrow.
Jackson is fit
Everton; West; (from) Wright, Newton, Darcy; Kendall, Jackson, Kenyon, Harvey; Husband, Ball, Royle, Hurst, Morrissey, Whittle.
Everton Reserves; Rankin; (from); Bennett, Brown, Darracott, Smith, Labone, Seargeant, Westburgh, Kenny, Johnson, Wilson, Styles, Jones.
Both Everton and Manchester United fans have given a cool reception to to-morrow's all-ticket match—more than a third are still unsold. Everton received 6,000 ground tickets and put them on sale last Thursday. Only 2,000 were taken and the rest were returned to United. An Old Trafford spokesman said to-day that they had 22,000 tickets for sale, and spectators will be able to pay at the turnstiles. United have made the corresponding games all-ticket for the past three seasons, and have been rewarded with near capacity attendances. Poor starts by both teams have brought this crowd disinterest. Everton have still to win, United have not won at home. United are sixth and Everton fifth from bottom. While Everton have doubts about Kendall, United could be back at full strength with the return of goalkeeper Alex Stepney and striker Brian Kidd. Stepney has had the same trouble as Kendall, having hurt his shoulder at Arsenal 10 days ago. Kidd has missed three games through a groin strain. Team manager Wilf McGuinness believes both will be all right to return against Everton.

TALK OF BLUES CRISIS IS NONSENSE
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 01 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Frustration is the current complaint at Everton. It is clear from the players' attitude on the pitch, as they slump to their poorest start for 10 years, and it is rife among many of their supporters. But any talk of crisis at Goodison Park is nonsense. Three points from the opening five games have sent them to a miserable fifth-from bottom place, but manager Harry Catterick puts the steel into their reaction when he says: "We shall continue to play good football and I think the results will come." Players who were good enough, six months ago, to win the League Championship by a clear nine points have not lost their ability.
Bitter blow
Why, then, have their results been so disappointing, with the bitter blow of losing at home to Manchester City, on Saturday, for their first home defeat since last December? I put forward these reasons:
1. Defensive mistakes which a team can absorb when the ball is running for them have cost Everton goals and points.
2. Individuals have not struck their best form, notably defenders.
3. The fear that a single slip can cost them the game is affecting confidence.
4. Frustration that the quality football they displayed against Arsenal, Burnley and Leeds did not bring results boiled over against City, when they looked bereft of the ideas which stamped them as such an attractive team last season. The players feel: "We play well and can't win. What have we got to do to win?" It is this confidence crisis is sapping thought which Mr. Catterick and his chief aide, Wilf Dixon, must conquer in pre-match talks. But it is a big job as they see Leeds United opening up a seven-point gap. For those fans with short memories, I would remind them that Everton started last season by taking 13 of the first 14 points at stake. Leeds only had eight at the corresponding stage. Everton once had an eight-point lead over Leeds, which United cut back and went ahead.
Reminder
Leeds' magnificent start with maximum points from five games is making some critics say the title race is as good as over. It would be as well to remind everyone that Everton were much better than Leeds in overall team work and standard of play at Elland Road nine days ago. The dropping of Brian Labone and John Morrissey in the last two games, to be replaced by Roger Kenyon and Alan Whittle, has been criticised by many Everton fans. But the Everton chief wanted to see whether Kenyon could strike his dominating partnership with John Hurst which was such a feature of the championship run last season—whether Whittle could regain his scoring touch. Neither move has clicked. Hurst is having an indifferent spell at the moment and, as the senior partner in the link with Kenyon, he needs to be on top form to bring the best out of Kenyon.  Whittle is trying hard but, apart from his goal in the Charity Shield, has been out of touch. Things haven't gone right with the switches yet, but the Everton chief has the patience to wait for everything to click into place. It could happen at Old Trafford tomorrow.

LONELY ROAD OF SOCCER SILENCE
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 02 September 1970
ELEVEN weeks ago, an England star in the packed Guadalajara Stadium battling for World Cup fame . . . now an Everton reserve without a spectator in sight on the Goodison Park terraces. That is how football fortune has turned for Brian Labone, Everton captain for the past six years until replaced by Alan Ball. Labone is the holder of 26 England caps, and has made 507 first team appearance for Everton. He came back to Everton as one of the outstanding successes of the England team, but after playing in only three Everton League games this season, he was dropped for the match at Chelsea a week ago. Roger Kenyon. at 21, 10 years Labone’s junior, has replaced him and keeps his place at Manchester United to-night. And Labone ? He faced Manchester United reserves at Goodison last night before a handful of spectators. Echo photographer Stephen Shakeshaft was there to capture the picture behind the story.

BLUES’ DEFENCE KEY TO VICTORY
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 02 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton have won only one of their last six league games at Manchester United, and to-night's match at Old Trafford has become critical as they fight for their first win of the season and the confidence boost they need to recover from their poor start.  With United also trying to find some consistent form as team manager Wilf McGuinness struggles to get the right blend among his older players, both teams are desperate for success. But there, I believe, the parallel ends. The United chief says that his experienced men -Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, Nobby Stiles and Paddy Crerand -have still much to give. While McGuinness has a re-building job on his hands, Everton manager- Harry Catterick has to make his players believe there is nothing wrong that a convincing victory will not put right.
Errors
The champions are there to be shot at ... and the teams Everton have met so far this season have shown extra determination against them. This is something Everton have to accept and answer by stepping up their own pressure. That they have not succeeded in winning can be put down to defensive errors. Only one team (Wolves) have conceded more goals in the First Division than Everton, while their own scoring return of seven from five matches is a reasonable one.
Challenge
So if Everton can tighten up defensively against United, who have only scored three goals so far. Old Trafford could start them off on a climb which should put them among the leading group. If they can beat United, it will ease the mental pressures which have become a formidable burden on most of the players. The Everton chief has decided that the Roger Kenyon-John Hurst partnership stays, with Brian Labone relegated to the reserves last night. These two young men face a personal challenge to regain the defensive strength which was an outstanding feature at the end of last season. Best, Morgan, Law, Charlton, Kidd . . these are the men Everton's defence has to contain. If they do, I feel the forwards can get into the scoring act sufficiently to win this match. But more defensive mistakes could lower the team's confidence even further. I believe everything depends on the defence tightening up. John Morrissey comes back into the reckoning to-night. With Jimmy Husband playing brilliantly, Mr. Catterick may feel this is the occasion for Morrissey's experience and skill to be pitted on the other wing against a United defence which has not been impressive. Mr. Catterick will have left his players in no doubt about the importance of winning. It could have such a far-reaching effect that I rate the game as vital as any major Cup-tie.
Travel plans
Lancashire Police warn Everton fans travelling to to-night's game at Old Trafford to leave early because of congestion on the M. 62 motorway at Worsley, which is restricted to two-lane working. They advise the alternative route of using the A .57 Warrington-Manchester road which joins the M 62 at the Eccles interchange and avoids the restricted road.

MIDFIELD ACE KENDALL FIT FOR TONIGHT
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 02 September 1970
By Mike Charters
EVERTON midfield star Howard Kendall has made such a rapid recovery from his bruised shoulder that he looks certain to play against Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight. It was sufficiently painful for him to come off 15 minutes from the end of Saturday's game against Manchester City. But he has been able to train this week and is fit now to take his place in this vital game for Everton, seeking their first win of the season. The inclusion of John Morrissey in the party which travelled to Manchester indicates that manager Harry Catterick could call on him again with Alan Whittle on the left wing. I think Morrissey's return will be the only change from the side which lost at home on Saturday for the first time since December. United's England goalkeeper Alex Stepney failed a fitness test to-day so Southport-born Jimmy Rimmer stays in goal. But Under-23 striker Brian Kidd returns after missing three games with a groin strain. Team manager Wilf McGuinness has dropped winger Willie Morgan, playing Nobby Stiles in the No. 7 shirt but operating in midfield with John Fitzpatrick and Bobby Charlton.
Man Utd; Rimmer; Edwards, Dunne; Fitzpatrick, Ure, Sadler, Stiles, Law, Charlton, Kidd, Best. 

BUSBY BACKS THE BLUES
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 03 September 1970
THEY’RE THE BEST TEAM UNITED HAVE MET HE SAYS
By Mike Charters

EVERTON, the League champions who sit third from the bottom of the First Division—they have three points from six games—get a vote of confidence to-day ... from the man whose team beat them last night.  After their 2.0 defeat at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s general manager, Sir Matt Busby paid the Blues this compliment. “They are the BEST team we have met, this season-and that includes  Leeds United.”  Leeds went to Old Trafford on the opening on the opening day of the season…and won 1-0. Played brilliantly
Last night, Everton played brilliantly, although they lost. And Busby said: “I cannot understand how a team which plays so well as Everton can be in such a position to-day.”   Everton manager Harry Catterick, wondering just what he can do next, told me: I cannot remember when the ball has run against us for such a long spell as this. “Usually, you have a spell of a couple of games when the breaks go against you.  But this has gone on for the best part of six matches now.  “The problem is making the public understand that we’re playing well, despite only having three points.  They see results going against us, and look on further than that.  “The players feel deeply for the supporters that the season has started so badly. They are at a loss to understand how they have lost games, when they know that, generally, their football has been excellent.  “My task now is to keep up their confidence and morale, to impress upon them that if they continue to play as they did for more than an hour at Old Trafford, they must start getting the results soon.  I have a very strong first-team squad. There was not one player last night of whom I could say. ‘He played badly—drop him.' “And if you gave me £300.000 to spend on new players, there is nowhere I could go to find players better than I have already.
Quality football
“It is not as to keep players going, when the breaks go against us so consistently. I thought we were the victims of an astonishing refereeing decision last night, for United’s first goal, and I’m at a complete loss to understand why two goals by Husband and Morrissey were disallowed. ‘We have to be patient, and accept that results Must go our way, with the quality of football we are playing.”

EVERTON FALL TO THE GENIUS OF BEST
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 03 September 1970
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 EVERTON 0
By Mike Charters
The genius of George Best—and a highly dubious free kick incident —destroyed Everton at Old Trafford last night. For an hour, Everton played with such class and fire that Manchester United had to operate, tactically, like an away team…bringing back nine and ten men to defend. There was, in effect, only one team in it. But the game turned sensationally United's way when Kidd, chasing a long through pass with Wright in pursuit, trod over the ball and fell, Wright failing on top of him. On a linesman's flag, the referee gave a free kick a few yards outside the area. While Everton were still disputing the decision, and referee Vince James was pushing the Everton defenders back, Law took the free kick, tapped the ball to Best, who scored with a magnificent shot.
Brilliant goal
The referee had his back to Law when the free kick was taken. And it is the accumulative effect of incidents such as this, with the ball not running for them that has sent the champions tumbling to third from bottom with nothing going right for them. This Best goal, brilliantly taken even if the free kick itself was so debatable, gave United the incentive to get back into the game. Where Everton, with Ball and Harvey in top form, had been in complete midfield command, United now began to take control. They had come from second best to become best, and they had their own unique Best to follow. Seven minutes after his goal, Best snapped up the ball ten yards from his own goal line and set off on a staggering 80-yards run which only a player of his calibre and courage, could have undertaken. After he had left Everton players trailing in his wake, he slotted through a dream of a pass to the unmarked Charlton. And Charlton, grateful for the invitation, drove the ball past the helpless West to clinch a 2-0 victory for United which was never "on" for an hour. Everton twice had the ball in the net via Husband and Morrissey, both were disallowed for fouls which could not be detected by observers. In addition, Kendall struck the bar with a thundering shot, and Rimmer made magnificent saves from Morrissey and Ball (twice). Everton's football for an hour was of high class, their efforts to succeed could not have been improved, but the frustration of their staggering six-game spell without a win showed clearly as they fell away in the last half-hour. They could have conceded another goal late on but West saved brilliantly from Kidd. Then Kenyon somehow hurled himself in the way of another Best shot after the superb Irishman had weaved and wriggled his way through a packed penalty area as only he can . This was another great game…we'll be fortunate to see anything better all season. But United were flattered by the result because Everton had played the more cultured and entertaining football for so long. Kenyon and Hurst regained their happy touch of last season in partnership, with Hurst having his best game of the season.
Refex save
West, who had no chance with either goal, made a brilliant reflex save from Kidd in the first half when United made their only strike as they struggled to get into the game. In fact, the defence played much tighter than recently, but no defence has an answer to Best when he turns it on as he did for the last half hour. He can destroy anybody in this form. Much of Everton's excellent build-up failed because of lack of thrust up front, where Royle could not master Ure, allowing the Scot to gain in confidence as the game wore on.  But the way fortune is running against them at the moment, Everton are wondering just what they have to do to succeed.

CATTERICK INCLUDES THREE IN SQUAD AFTER FITNESS TESTS
Liverpool Echo - Friday 04 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton manager Harry Catterick was anxious to give the team which lost to Manchester United a boost by sticking to the same line-up for the game at West Ham to-morrow, but had to wait for three fitness tests to-day. Howard Kendall (knee injury), John Hurst (ankle) and Colin Harvey (stomach) all had treatment yesterday and this morning, but are included in a party of 14 players named by the Everton chief to travel to London. The team will not be named until shortly before the game, but the fact the injured trio were in the squad indicated that they should be all right with another 24 hours' rest. He has cover 'kith Sandy Brown, Alan Whittle and young reserve forward David Johnson if any of them has to drop out at the last minute.  With the pressure of seeking their first win becoming an ever increasing burden, Mr. Catterick hopes to field an unchanged team to show the football world that the side which played so well at Old Trafford, but lost, carries his conviction that they can turn the tide by winning tomorrow. Peter Eustace, West Ham's  90,000 buy last season from Sheffield Wednesday, has his first game of the season to-morrow. He gets his chance because teenager Peter Bennett has an injured shoulder this is the only change from the side which drew with Southampton on Monday. Everton: West; Wright, Newton; (from) Kendall, Kenyon, Harvey, Brown; Husband, Ball, Royle, Hurst, Morrissey, Whittle, Johnson. WEST HAM: Grolier; Bond, Lampard, Eustace, Stephenson, Moore; Best, Brooking, Hurst. Greaves, Howe.

MIDFIELD TALENT COULD LEAD BLUES TO VICTORY
Liverpool Echo - Friday 04 September 1970
By Mike Charters
A wise old head in football made the following comments this week about early season games . " There is nothing invites more criticism and more wild talk than a disappointing start to the season. " Lose a couple of matches in January and it is accepted as part of the game, but do the same thing in August and all kinds of disaster are forecast. " Naturally the first matches are critical, and they undoubtedly influence the team's morale and expectations for the rest of the campaign. But if the basic taken is there it need not bring with it the doom that so many seem ready to prophesy:. An Everton Official talking about Everton" It might well have been but, in fact, it was that soccer sage, Sir Matt Busby, general manager of Manchester United, writing about his own team in the club programme for the Everton match on Wednesday. I record his words because they fit Everton's current position perfectly and they needed to be said by someone outside the club because they contain such football truth.
First win
But its goals, not words, that Everton need most of all as they prepare to face West Ham in London tomorrow. Seeking their first win of the season, they go to a ground where they invariably do well. You have to go back five years to find Everton's last defeat there and they have won three of their last four games at Upton Park. West Ham, full of star names but rarely able to achieve a performance on the pitch to match them, have made their usual sort of start, having drawn all their three home games. And, like Everton, they have yet to win this season so the game becomes critical for both of them.  Everton need a victory so urgently that it needs no further emphasis from me to pinpoint their problem. They come up against the Bobby Moore inspired defence, which has already conceded nine goals in six matches, and have to find a way through it to get that long overdue win. With Geoff Hurst and Jimmy Greaves the men who matter in attack, plus the strength of Clyde Best, West Ham have a forward line which can sparkle. But Everton's defenders, although beaten by the George West touch in midweek, showed a return to their regular solidity which should be good enough to cope with the West Ham forwards. If Joe Royle can regain his scoring touch, I feel Everton carry the midfield talent to control this game. But goals are vital, plus the need for more on target shooting.

RIGHT ROYLE GOAL AS BLUES FORGE INTO LEAD
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 05 September 1970
WEST HAM UNITED 1, EVERTON 2
By Mike Charters

Line-Up’- West ham; Grotier; Bonds, Lampard; Eustace, Stephenson, Moore; Best, Brooking, Hurst (G.), Greaves, Howe, Sub Redknapp.  Everton; West; Wright, Newton; Kendall, Kenyon, Harvey; Husband, Ball, Royle, Hurst (J), Morrissey, Sub Brown.  Referee; Mr. K. Howley (Teeside). 
Two Royle headers over the bar and a great swerving shot from Ball were the best Everton could do despite their dominant mid-field work at West Ham this afternoon. Everton placed skillful football which kept West Hani's defence hard at work, but the finish was not as good as the build-up. Royle made up for his earlier misses by heading a fine goal to put Everton ahead after half an hour.
Unchanged Everton broke up an early West Ham attack as Newton blocked a shot from Bonds and then Moore cleverly got out of trouble as Husband tried to force his way through. Greaves showed a flash of his famous skill by drifting past four Everton tackles and from his centre Kenyon hooked the ball high over the bar for a corner. Everton had settled down quickly to produce some lovely football which brought applause from the West Ham spectators. Morrissey and Harvey got out of trouble near the corner flag but Moore, reading the play so well, sent West Ham away with a great pass to Greaves.
Firm grip

Lampard twice brought down Husband with crunching tackles as Everton maintained their attacking pressure. Then Stephenson fouled Royle and from Ball's free kick Royle headed over. Ball surprised Grotier with a 25-yard swerving shot which the goalkeeper punched high in the air for a corner. Everton had taken a firm grip - in mid-field with Ball inspiring a stream of attacks and West Ham having to defend desperately. Everton continued to play the same skillful football they have shown so often but all their mid- field superiority was not able to open the West Ham Defence.  Royle again went up for Ball's free kick, beating Stephenson in the air, but putting the ball over the ball. This illustrated how Everton were making chances but not finishing accurately. There was a moment of danger for Everton when Geoff Hurst beat Kenyon near the touchline and his centre evaded everybody.  Then John Hurst headed away for a corner as Best ran in.
Tormenting

Morrisey, who was in great form, split the West Ham defence with a fine pass to Husband and when the winger moved it inside, Stephenson pushed out a despairing foot and managed to get it away for a corner.  And from it on the half hour Everton deservedly went ahead with a perfectly headed goal by Royle.  The West Ham defence was at fault in not challenging Royle for Ball’s corner kick, but there was nothing wrong with their instant reply. Best picked up a loose ball in midfield and fired a great shot which West turned away at full stretch.   Grotier had to go full length to collect a 30-yard shot form Kendall and with Morrissey tormenting Bonds, there was no shortage of action in the West Ham penalty area as Everton stayed well on top. Five minutes before the interval, Everton increased their lead thanks to a brilliant run but Husband but the finishing touch was provided by Stephenson for an own goal. Husband broke through a few half-hearted tackles and his shot across the goal face was going towards Royle when Stephenson pushed out a foot and turned it well away from his own goalkeeper into the net. The best West Ham shooting had come from full-back Bonds. He moved up to provide the last shot of a laborious attack but sent the ball wide from 20 yards.  West Ham survived when they should have gone three down. Grotier failed to hold Ball's shot, the ball ran loose and Husband turned it back to Harvey who hesitated fractionally and Stephenson was able to block his close-range shot.
Determination
Even though their team was being out-played, the West Ham fans continued to applaud Everton's excellence. They were in complete command. Half time: West Ham 0, Everton 2.
West Ham restarted with a flourish. A neat Greaves centre brought a flashing header from Brooking and West made one of his best saves to punch the ball away. But Best collected it, and put a fierce shot against the post with West diving to finally clutch the ball. Then it was West Ham's turn for a let-off as Husband turned inside Lampard and his shot beat Grotier but struck the foot of the post and bounced out. Royle almost got another with a fine header form Morrissey's centre which scraped the outside of the post with the goalkeeper well beaten. Although West Ham were showing more energy and determination now, Everton always held the aces in attack. Harvey almost scored and Ball was inches away from snapping up Royle s fine through pass. Everton were playing with the skill and technique of earlier games this season but this time they had got the goals to prove it. Ball, Kendall and Harvey were showing the spectators what mid-field football was all about with their pace and determination to get the ball. A great 40-yard pass from Moore brought a moment of hope for West Ham as Best moved on to it but Kendall recovered to turn the ball away for a corner.  Everton's passing was remarkable for its pace and accuracy and West Ham hardly knew where the next attack was coming from. Very little had been seen of Greaves with Everton's defence playing soundly but he turned on the ball and made a fine shot which was just wide.  Ball went close again as Harvey moved up from deep defence and although West Ham raided occasionally all the menace and power came from the Everton attack. After West had made a magnificent save from Geoff Hurst, the ball was worked to the right where Moore hit a tremendous shot from full 35 cards which beat West and went in and out of the net at the far side. This goal after 67 minutes brought West Ham back into action Everton had been inclined to take things a little casually in the second half and paid the penalty with this goal.  After Geoff Hurst had put the ball in the Everton net from an obviously off-side position, a young fan ran on and was escorted out of the ground by two policemen. With five minutes to go, the limping Morrissey went off and Brown substituted. Estimated attendance 30,000.
THE VERDICT
Everton looked and played like Champions for most of the game at West Ham.  But after taking a two-goal lead and out-playing West Ham. England skipper Bobby Moore put his team back in with a chance with a remarkable 35 yard goal. So Everton superior craft and skill was hanging on a one goal margin after they had played so well that even the West Ham fans applauded them.  There were still weaknesses in the Everton side but the midfield trio with Ball in great form, was the foundation of their superiority. 

BLUES, CITY DEFENCES WELL ON TOP
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 05 September 1970
Everton gave City a fright in the first minute when Wilson, just chancing his arm, let fly from near the centre circle. The wind carried the ball which beat Mulhearne all ends up. The 'keeper turned to see the ball hit the bar and go out of play. City generally were finding their men better, although D'Arcy and Labone were giving them little chance to do much against Rankin. The Everton forwards found old team-mate Heslop hard to beat and when they did get through rarely looked like scoring. Defences of both sides were well on top Darcy was pulling hard to get the Blues moving and was brought down just outside the Manchester area. Smith took the shot but Wilson's header went over the top. At the other end, Darcy saved a certain goal when he stopped Glennon in full flight.  Half-time. Everton Res. 0. Manchester City Res. 0. 1.
Everton Reserves; Rankin; D’Arcy, Styles; Smith, Labone, Jackson; Kenny, Wilson, Lyons, Seargreant, Jones, Sub; Hughes.  Manchester City Reserves; Mulhearne; Donnachie, Mann; Jefferies, Heslop, Munday; Hill, Owyer, Mellor, Glennon, Sub Hatton.  Referee; Mr. G.S. Suden (Wolverhampton). 

THE FANS WANT TO SEE ATTACKING TEAMS DESERVE SCORING BONUS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 05 September 1970
THE HARRY CATTERICK SOCCOR COLUMN
EVERYONE keeps asking: "What's gone wrong with Everton?" I'll tell you. Nothing that a little luck and hard work won't put right. We can legislate for the hard work. As for the question of luck, well, we'll just have to wait until the gods start to smile on us again. What people forget is that we have exactly the same players as we had a year ago when we made a galloping start to the season. They are, in fact, more experienced and mature.
Silly mistakes
Everton have not been getting the results -although I personally think we have been playing well enough to have picked up another three points at least-simply because we have made one or two silly and costly mistakes and we are still plugging away trying to play attacking football. Despite the glowing reports from the World Cup in Mexico it seems to me more defensive football is being played in England than last season. I ant determined we will continue to play attacking football Now I would be the last person in the world to be critical of managers trying to protect their jobs by amassing enough points through defensive tactics simply because they have not enough creative and goal-scoring ball players on the books. Believe me, as a manager, I can see a lot of young boys playing the Bobby Moore way—and playing it well— behind the back four What managers have difficulty in finding, are young players with the same acute aggressive attacking tendency of Alan Ball. It is odd, is it not, that the same people who are asking what has gone wrong with Everton this season, have put the same question mark against Manchester United, who have world-class attacking players like Bobby Charlton, George Best, Denis Law and Brian Kidd in their line-up. When a team is trying to play attacking football and score goals they need to have their key men on form at the same time. They also need the even breaks, so that when they shoot the ball doesn't always hit a post or a defender. Fans, who demand success of their favourite club, cannot be expected to show the same patience as a manager. If he knows he has the right players and blend when the team is playing well, then all he can do is to wait until the goals come. It is for that reason I can say there is no panic at Everton, even though naturally we would like to have won more points. A year ago we were running away with the League until injuries and ill-luck stopped us temporarily in mid-season. Every manager knows that over the nine months haul of an English season. It would need an exceptionally lucky team to go through without any setbacks. I am, however, a trifle sad that Leeds United and Chelsea are the only clubs aiming our opponents this season who have really come at us and played attacking football. Already I have seen-and this applies to all four divisions—teams playing with five men strung across the field with another defender mopping up at the back. You might just as well put eleven policemen in the penalty area! You cannot blame a manager for instructing players to use this formation if he knows it is the only way he can keep his job and avoid the peril of relegation. Nevertheless, isn't it time a much closer look was taken at the way points are awarded? I don't like playing around with the rules and regulations of what is basically a simple game, but isn't it wrong when teams who prevent others from scoring goals and find it desperately hard to score themselves, get away with this type of safety first soccer. Football should be entertaining for the fans. Even the great Hungarians of 1953 would find it hard to score goals against most First Division defences.
Extra points
I think a technical committees should be set up to examine this question of extra League points for attacking teams. Why not a bonus of, say, five points when a team has scored its 50th goal.  Then extra points as they build up on this total with an even bigger bonus for 100 goals. It is not a thing that could be settled overnight for it would require very deep research. Nevertheless, I think more should be done to help the Georgie Best's, Peter Osgoods and the Jimmy Greaves's as they try to pierce the stranglehold of these massed defences to give the public what it pays to see —GOA LS'

EVERTON’S EUROPEAN TIE WILL BE ON ICELAND’S ONLY GRASSED PITCH
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 05 September 1970
SOCCERSCOPE
When Everton play Keflavik in the Reykjavik Municipal Stadium on September 30 in the European Cup, they will be using the only grassed pitch in Iceland.  All other grounds in the country are made of lava dust, which is one of the reasons why Everton's opponents switched the match from their own stadium. The Reykjavik pitch was first used twelve years ago, when Bury, then managed by David Russell, now Tranmere's general manager, played an Iceland Select. Mr. Russell recalls: "We won 4-1 and three of our goals were scored by that one-time Everton favourite, John Willie Parker. The Reykjavik authorities spent a lot of money on their pitch, having to import soil because there is so little suitable soil in their country for a turf pitch." Everton chief scout Harry Cooke has prepared a comprehensive report for manager Harry Catterick on Keflavik after seeing them play an away game in Northern Iceland last week-end. He saw them draw 1-1' but they are leading the Icelandic League with three games to go and are favourites to be playing in the European Cup again next season.
Switch pays dividends
EVERTON manager Harry Catterick ordered one of his Junior players to switch positions—and the move looks like paying dividends.  David Johnson, who played inside right for Liverpool Boys when they won the English Schools Trophy three years ago, was an orthodox inside forward, playing rather deep. Last season Mr. Catterick switched him to centre forward in the youth team …and Johnson has never looked back. Now a Central League regular, Johnson showed considerable promise at 18. He impressed when he played against the first team defence in the preseason public practice game.  Johnson had his first taste of the big time today when he was in the first team party for the game at West Ham. Manager Catterick does this from time to time with youngsters, to give them a glimpse from the sidelines of the First Division atmosphere at away games.
BLACKPOOL have received so many ticket applications from Everton fans for the Blackpool- Everton game on September 19 that all reserved seats have been sold.
FOR the first time in five years, Everton have appointed a vice-chairman—Mr. Jim Hacking, who joined the Board in 1968.  Mr. Jack Sharp. Chairman from 1967 to this year, was the last vice- chairman. He was named in 1965 when the late E.Holland Hughes became chairman.  On the resignation of Mr. Hughes, Mr. Sharp moved up to the chairmanship and the directors did not nominate a vice-chairman.  Before Mr. Sharp became vice-chairman the position had been vacant for five years. 

HOW EVERTON WON THE TITLE-AN AMERCIAN ANALYSIS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 05 September 1970
THE following statistical study, worked out at a distance of 3,000 miles and 40 years from Goodison, provides interesting (though not conclusive) evidence as to the real heroes of Everton's championship success. In taking 66 points out of a possible 84 points. Everton achieved an average of 78.5 per cent. With Ball and Harvey in the team, the average zoomed to a remarkable 85.4 per cent. (53 points out a possible 62). Had Everton maintained that average for the season, they would have had 71 points. When Ball was out for four games the average slumped to 50 per cent (four points out of eight). When Harvey was out for eight games, the team achieved 12 points for a 75 per cent average. With Ball, Harvey and Whittle in the side. Everton—over eight games touched 100 per tent. With Kenyon substituting for Labone, the side grabbed 15 of a possible 16 points. Other figures tend to show that Mr. Catterick was not justified in dropping Brown for Newton, with Brown at left-back, Everton took 30 points out of a possible 50, for an average of 83.3 per cent. They gained 16 out of 24 points (66 per cent.) with Newton present. However, as proof that statistics don't tell the whole story it must be pointed out that Newton broke into the team at a time when Ball and Harvey were missing, and that he was out injured when Whittle started exploding his bombshell. Wishing continued success to both the local teams, and their ever-faithful reporter, the Football Echo.—L. W. Carmichael. Foamer Road, Southampton. Massachusetts. U.S.A.
Kenyon’s been in Brown's been in, Whittle's been in—how would you analyze this season's results, so far, my friend?
TERRIBLE
My opinion of Everton at the moment is- terrible.  After the match against Manchester City, I think the wrong man is captain.  Labone, Husband, Morrissey or Royle should be captain.-K.E. Bates, 28 Durning Road, Liverpool. 
What’s wrong with West, Wright, Newton, Kendall, Kenyon, Harvey, Whittle, Hurst or Husband as skipper?
Minority
IT comes as a surprise to me (and I'm sure, to many Everton fans) that a minority are already writing off Everton's chances. We've made a bad start, but when you play the teams we have, you can't expect to make a start like last season. Leeds will never keep up the pace they've set. Arsenal, Burnley and Manchester City have all improved, and you can watch for them being near the top, when the honours are given out. But I have no doubt that when the time comes. Everton will be at the very top!—T. Hanson. 29 Marl Road, Bootle 10.
GIVE BALL SUPPORT –NOT RIDICULE
THE knockers are at it again. Last season, when Everton hit a bad patch, they said the team wouldn't win the League.  But Everton did. The year we beat Sheffield Wednesday in the F.A. Cup final, they kicked Harry Catterick. So this year, who is it to be? After reading the comments on Ball', captaincy, I'm disgusted. It seems he's the person on whom the knockers will vent their disappointment.  These people don't deserve Ball as a captain or as a player for the club. They should support a team like Aston Villa, Proud Preston or Sunderland, who are praying for such a player to make them great again. These people should support Ball, not ridicule him. I'm sure in my heart and soul that Everton will have a good season, and that Ball will be as great a captain as he is a player. And it will be no thanks to the knockers. When we do win something. I suppose they will be singing his praises, after he's done it all on his own.—R. Greenlee. 13 Rogers Avenue, Bootle, 20.
You HAVE put heart and soul into this.

JOE ROYLE ANSWERS HIS CRITICS-AND PUTS EVERTON ON THE PATH TO VICTORY
Liverpool Echo - Monday 07 September 1970
At last, Everton are on the victory trail.  And the man who put them on the way to their first win of the season at West Ham on Saturday was centre-forward Joe Royle…who has come in for some criticism from the fans, lately.  His goal was the best possible answer to the knockers.  Royle scored his third goal of the season, as he rose majestically to meet a cross and head the ball down between West ham captain Bobby Moore and a post, for the first of Everton’s two goals.  Royle one of the best young centre-forwards in the game, is now on his way to beating his total of 23 goals last season.  If he scores 25 this time, it will bring his total for Everton to the 100 mark.  Already Royle has earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous players both in the air and on the ground, in the penalty area, and has won England Under-23 caps.  If he continues to progress, it should not be too long before he comes under consideration for a full cap. 
JOE ROYLE CASE DISMISSED
What was described by his defending solicitor as a frivolous case brought against Joe Royle, 21-years-old Everton Football Club centre forward, was dismissed by Liverpool City magistrates today because the complainant failed to appear to prosecute.  Royle, of High Moss, Ormskirk was accused on a private summons of unlawfully assaulting Gregory Peters on June 27.  After the name of the complainant had been called in the corridors with no response, Mr. E. M. Mannhelm who represented Royle, asked for the case to be dismissed with costs.  He said-Mr. Royle had himself attended with five witnesses to refute accusations which he alleged had been brought frivolously.  No costs were awarded. 

TENSION IS EASED- NOW FOR THE TITLE CHASE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 07 September 1970
By Mike Charters

Only those closely associated with the club can appreciate the relief felt by officials and players when Everton, at the seventh attempt, picked up their first win of the season. The strain, as champions, was becoming an intolerable burden. But it eased into the past as they won 2-1 at West Ham on Saturday—a scoreline which devalues the merit of their performance and the quality of their play. West Ham were comprehensively outplayed for 70 minutes. They only rallied when Moore cut into Everton's 2-0 lead with a hopeful, if perfectly hit. shot from 35 yards out which rocketed through a packed goalmouth past the unsighted West, hit the back of the net and came out again before anyone could move. There were hectic moments in the Everton goalmouth as West Ham, for the only time in the game, put sustained pressure on the Everton defence. But with West in magnificent form, and the back four playing soundly, the closest West Ham came to the equalizer was when shots from Bonds and Best hit the post. The frenzied action late on West Ham could tend to overlook the fact that Everton had just as much bad luck, if not more, at the other end. A shot from Husband also hit the post, a Royle header struck the bar, and goalkeeper Grotier was far busier than West. But it was the general level of their play which made this such an attractive, entertaining game—with the West Ham fans generously applauding Everton’s superior technique. It stemmed, as ever, with the complete midfield control of Ball, Harvey and Kendall. Up front, Husband and Morrissey were clever and trustful on the wings, Royle powerful and constructive in the middle. West Ham had to put two men on each flank to contain Husband and Morrissey. There were no weaknesses in this side-a phrase I used in my Football Echo report, but which appeared, through transmission difficulties, as still weaknesses”. Reiteration of it here serves to make it clear that this was an outstanding exhibition by Everton of the crafts of the game. Both Everton goals came in the first half, when West Ham were forced to defend solidly. Royle, with a neat header from Ball’s corner kick opened the way and then  Husband surged through a pedestrian West Ham defence to shoot. I think his shot would have gone wide but the ball was deflected by centre half Stephenson into the net. It was one of those 50-50 incidents whether it was an own goal or not, but Everton are putting it down as a Husband goal in their official record.  Everton played just as well at Leeds and Old Trafford. But they had the breaks when West Ham shots struck wood, and defenders did not make those critical individual errors which have cost several goals. They had the chances to have been six goals in front before Moore scored . . . and then it wouldn't have mattered what West Ham did. As it was, there was tension and strain defensively before the end.  They have given themselves an immense handicap in the defence of their title by their indifferent start to the season. With Leeds nom eight points ahead, they will take some stopping but this I can say . . . Everton are on their way.  The chase begins in earnest now.
ALAN IS THE TOPS
BALLS contribution to Everton's first win of the season at West Ham could hardly hate been better -both as a player and as captain. Some calming words from manager Harry Catterick have had a marked effect on his captaincy role in the last three games, in which he has led by example, rather than by the verbal whiplash. He personal display on Saturday way an ideal example of the midfield player's art. Apart from his non-stop running and effort -now accepted as standard from him his passing and constructive touches gave him midfield mastery, with his brilliant partners Colin Harvey and Howard Kendall.

LABONE, WHITTLE, BROWN NAMED IN RESERVES’ TEAM
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 08 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Three members of the Everton first team squad are in the reserves for to-night's match against Aston Villa at Goodison Park (7. p.m.). They are former skipper Brian Labone, playing his fourth consecutive Central League game, full back Sandy Brown and forward Alan Whittle. Brown and Whittle were in the 14-strong team party at West Ham last Saturday. Brown substituted for the injured John Morrissey seven minutes from the end; Whittle did not play. Manager Harry Catterick uses the reserves' fixtures to give these seniors match practice in case they are needed for League games. But he was so pleased with the team's display at West Ham in winning their first match of the season that I'm sure he will not change it for Saturday's home game against Ipswich Town. The only problem is Morrissey's fitness. He took a knock to both ankles and knee at West Ham, but treatment this week should get him fit for the Ipswich match. Brown and Whittle have played in mid-week reserves games to keep them tuned up and their selection to-night follows the usual pattern. It also indicates that the Everton first team choice is likely to settle now into the line-up of last Saturday, providing they slay free from injuries.
Everton Reserves; Rankin; Seargeant, Brown; Smith, Labone, Jackson; (from) Kenny, Johnson, Wilson, Lyons, Whittle, Westburgh. 

GOODISON ‘BENEFIT’ FOR BLUES’ BACKROOM BOYS
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 09 September 1970
Five members of the Everton staff who has been with the club for 25 years or more, are to have their long service rewarded to-morrow. They are Secretary Bill Dickinson, who holds the Football League long-service medal, chief scout Harry Cooke, grandson of the former trainer of the same name. Gordon Watson, former wing half and trainer, now in the Development Office, Joiner Ernie Dillon and plumber Harold Wright. Chairman George Watts will make the presentation at Goodison Park. The club has made long service awards to individuals in the past, but this is the first time five have received presentations at the same time.

BLUES ARE INJURY-FREE
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 10 September 1970
Everton manager Harry Catterick today reported no injuries among his first-teamers.  So he seems certain to field an unchanged side against Ipswich at Goodison Park on Saturday, writes Mike Charters.  Two players have had treatment this week for injuries received at West Ham-wingers John Morrissey and Jimmy Husband.  Mr. Catterick said; “They’ve recovered quickly, and have been able to train hard with the rest of the players.  They are now 100 per cent.” 

EVERTON ARE ALL SET TO TRIM THAT GAP
Liverpool Echo - Friday 11 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton winger Jimmy Husband may have to drop out of the team to play Ipswich Town at Goodison to-morrow. Although he has recovered well from a knock at West Ham last Saturday, and been able to train, he was not 100 per cent. to-day and Alan Whittle stands by to replace him. Ipswich will be without 40.000 centre forward Frank Clarke, advised by the club doctor to rest after an accumulation of bruises on his shin and thigh. He is likely to be replaced by Trevor Whymark who has been playing on the left wing. Everton hope to be able to field an unchanged side against the struggling Ipswich outfit who, like the Blues, won their first game of the season last Saturday. With no mid-week game to complicate the training schedule this week, Everton chief Harry Catterick has been able to give his players a couple of practice games behind closed doors at Bellefield to rehearse tactical moves. He told me, "When we play in mid-week, there is no time for these games.
Tough week
All the boys have come through a really tough training week, and last week's win at West Ham was just what we wanted. "It is important to have these practice games as part of the training programme. It gives us the chance of creating set situations -free kicks and the like. "We have been playing well all along, without getting the results. Things went right for us last Saturday." Everton should now move into a winning sequence and should make no mistake against Ipswich, who have never beaten Everton since they came up from the Second Division two seasons ago. Now Everton must set about cutting back the gap Leeds have opened on their challengers…and they look all set to do so. Everton: West; Wright, Newton: Kendall, Kenyon, Harvey; Husband or Whittle, Ball, Royle, Hurst,  Morrissey. Sub.: Brown or Darcy. IPSWICH: Best; Carroll, Mills; Morris, Baxter, McNeil: (from) Robertson, Villjoen,  Whymark, Woods, Lambert, Hill, Jefferson.
Top tier of stand ready Tough week "
Sufficient progress has been made on the new stand at Goodison Park to permit season ticket holders in the top tier to use their own seats from to-morrow instead of being accommodated in the Stanley Park goal stand. It had been hoped to do the same in the lower tier as well, but high winds and rain this week have prevented the roof being completed. This work should be done in time for the next home match, a fortnight to-morrow. More turnstiles will be open in Goodison Road to-morrow at the park end for terrace spectators on that side, relieving pressure at the church end of the ground.

POINTS CAN ROLL UP NOW FOR THE BLUES
Liverpool Echo - Friday 11 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton's first win of the season at West Ham last Saturday should start them off on a run of success which would shoot them up the table. They now face second from bottom Ipswich Town at Goodison to-morrow, visit straggling Blackpool next week, and then have Crystal Palace at home before the end of September. It should prove a fruitful month for points. They need every one, of course, after their poor start, but now that they have broken the ice with the success at West Ham, I visualize them not only continuing their displays of highly entertaining football but adding results as well. I believe manager Harry Catterick will field an unchanged line-up as long as possible. He was "over the moon" with the way his boys played at West Ham, and said he believed they were playing the most attractive football anyone could see. His comment: "If I was not in the game myself. Everton would be the team I'd most like to see. I'd buy a season ticket to watch them." So it looks as though Brian Labone, Alan Whittle and Sandy Brown will not be able to force their way back into the first team picture at the moment providing the others steer clear of injuries. But it gives the Everton chief considerable satisfaction to have them available when needed. Since they came out of the Second Division two seasons ago, Ipswich have
never beaten Everton. In their five meetings- one in the F.A. Cup -Everton have won three and drawn two.
Commanding
Like Everton, Ipswich won their first game of the season last Saturday with a commanding 3-0 triumph over bottom place Burnley. Before that they had gone five games without scoring. Ipswich chief Bobby Robson believes the win over Burnley will have boosted his players' confidence, and they played well to hold the powerful Arsenal to a draw in the mid-week League Cup tie. Since they last played Everton, they have strengthened their attack with the signing of former Spurs and Arsenal winger Jimmy Robertson and centre forward Frank Clarke from Q.P.R. Clarke is doubtful because of a leg injury received in the League Cup clash, but Robertson has brought some class to the forward line.
Effective
Man for man, Everton hold all the trump cards to-morrow. In midfield, Ipswich have a hardworking and effective performer in South African Colin Viljoen, but collectively they cannot compare with the strength and skill of Alan Ball, Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey, who are in great form. Joe Royle, who nodded his third goal of the season last Saturday, has scored six goals in the five games between the clubs in the past two years. He comes up against veteran centre half Bill Baxter, playing his 453rd League game for Ipswich tomorrow. I expect Royle to add to his splendid record against them, and to get into the scoring act sufficiently to help Everton to the sort of convincing, win which will help to put the memory of the early season dithers well behind them.

COME ON, JOE!
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 September 1970
ROYLE CAN BOOST HIS SCORING TALLY AGAINST THE TEAM WHICH EVERTON LOVE TO BEAT…
THE SCORE, SO FAR..EVERTON 12, IPSWICH 5
By Mike Charters
EVERTON'S brilliant young centre forward Joe Royle maintains a remarkable average of a goal every two games (67 in 130 League matches to date), but if he could play against Ipswich Town every week, he'd soon boost that ratio on current trends. In five games against Ipswich since they came up from the Second Division two seasons ago, Royle has scored six times—five in the League and one in the F.A. Cup. Clearly, be enjoys his twice -a -winter jaunt against the men from East Anglia . . . as do the rest of his colleagues in the Everton team. Everton have not lost to Ipswich in the past two seasons. Last winter, they won 3-0 at Ipswich and Goodison: the previous season, they drew twice by 2-2, and won the third round Cup-tie 2-1.
On Target
Royle told me; “I suppose the records show that I am usually on the target when we play Ipswich, but I rate them a much better side than their position in the League would indicate.  “We invariably play well at Ipswich because the boys revel in the pitch there.  I reckon it’s the second best in the League-I’d put Old Trafford first.  “But they usually give us a pretty hard game at Goodison, and it is the way they play in these matches that makes me give them a good rating.  “I was delighted to get that goal at West Ham last Saturday which set us off on the road to our first win of the season.  That was my third of the season and I’ll be going all out to beat my previous seasonal best of 29 in League and Cup of two seasons ago.  “The boys are playing so well that we’re making a lot of openings.  I’m hoping that I can turn a good proportion of them into goals.”  Now Royle has a chance to do just that when Ipswich Town, second from bottom in the First division come to Goodison Park this afternoon, with Everton seeking their first home win to add to their first victory of the season last Saturday.  And Royle get a notable tribute from Ipswich manager Bobby Robson, who will be instructing his defenders to mark him particularly tightly today. 
GREAT GOALS
Robson said; “Royle has scored some great goals against us.  The one he hit at our ground last season is still talked about.  “This boy’s got everything a centre forward needs.  He’s big and strong, terrific in the air, and much better on the ground than a lot of people give him credit for.  “I remember I was on a coaching course at Lilleshall about five or six years ago when I first saw Royle.  Everton had sent a number of boys to the course and Joe-he’d be about 16 then- was one of them.  “He was a bit raw then, of course, but I could see his potential and I marked him down as a youngsters who would make the grade.  “Now I believe he must get into the full England side soon.”  This afternoon Royle will come up against a veteran opponent in Ipswich skipper Bobby Baxter, who may not be as good in the air as he used to be, but he uses his vast experience to cope with much younger men.  But Royle is in the mood-with the rest of the Everton players- to forget the indifferent start to the season and get back into the title race with a vengeance.  They need another convincing victory today, if they play as they did at West ham last week, Ipswich will be on the receiving end of an attacking barrage…and Royle could pick up another goal or two against the side he loves to meet. 

FIRST WIN HAS PUT IPSWICH IN GOOD HEART FOR GOODISON GAME
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 September 1970
Like Everton, Ipswich Town chalked up their first win of the season last Saturday.  Hey beat fellow struggles Burnley by 3-0 at Portman Road while Everton were winning 2-1 at West Ham.  Manager bobby Robson, former Fulham, West Bromwich and England wing-half, looks on their Burnley success as the turning point…as Everton chief Harry Catterick regards the West Ham result.  He said; “I knew we would soon turn the tide because we’ve been making chances and not taking them.  We took them against Burnley.  “Since we came up from the Second Division we’ve always had trouble with Everton at home, but haven’t done so badly at Goodison.  We draw there two seasons ago, only lost by the odd goal in the Cup-tie, but they hammered us 3-0 last season.  “Since then, I’ve strengthened the side by buying Jimmy Robertson from Arsenal and Frank Clarke from Q.P.R.  Clarke the brother of Leeds’ Allan, scored his first goal of the season last Saturday and I hope it’s going to be the first of many.  “We started poorly- we didn’t score in the first five matches-but the Burnley win has done the boys a tremendous amount of good.  “That game was so important because the teams were in the bottom two places.  So you can imagine how elated we all were to get that one over with two points and a pretty good display as well.  “I realise Everton will also be feeling confident after getting off the mark at West Ham …but we’ll give them a real game.” 

ICELAND TRIP GETS COLD SHOULDER
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton's opponents in the European Cup at Goodison next Wednesday, will bring about 60 supporters with them from Iceland—but Iceland-but Everton aren't likely to have any for the second leg at Reykjavik on September 30. The Iceland team arrives at Liverpool Airport on Tuesday by charter flight. The 80- strong party will include 20 players and officials. A group of young Everton fans who follow their team in all away games spoke to me at West Ham last week about their disappointment that there was no supporters' organised party to Iceland for the second leg. They had found it would cost them about 80 by service flight…and they can’t afford that.  But there was a chance for fans to make a trip.  David Exall, Everton's promotions manager, tells me that the club's development organisation advertised a flight to Iceland at a cost of around 30. Fans' reaction was so poor only five were interested -that the club cancelled the arrangements.  So Everton will be going it alone in Iceland.  If they build up the anticipated handsome lead next Wednesday, however, they won’t be in need of much vocal support in a stadium which has only an 18,000 capacity.  Keflavik, battling hard to win their own League again and another European Cup venture next season, have a title decider this week-end against Akranes, who have just taken the lead. Keflavik have to win to take the championship.

EVERTON CRACK IPSWICH WALL
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 September 1970
EVERTON 2, IPSWICH 0

Line-Up;- West; Wright, Newton; Kendall, Kenyon, Harvey; Whittle, Ball, Royle, Hurst, Morrissey, Substitute; Brown.  Ipswich; Best; Carroll, Mills; Morris, Baxter, McNeill; Robertson, Viljoen, Whymark, Woods, Lambert, Substitute; Jefferson,  Referee; Mr. D. Nippard (Bournemouth). 
WITHOUT playing anywhere near as well as they did at West Ham last Saturday, Everton still had 80 per cent, of the play against defensive minded Ipswich Town, at Goodison this afternoon. It was an untidy sort of game, with Everton showing occasional flashes of midfield brilliance. But goals did come-from Whittle and Kendall. Everton had Alan Whittle replacing Jimmy Husband, who had not recovered from an injury received at West Ham last Saturday. There WAS a shock for Everton when Lambert moved onto a defensive clearance and broke down the middle. West came out of the area and Lambert pushed the ball past him, but without sufficient power and Hurst cleared. Everton were soon into their attacking stride and Ipswich had 11 men in their penalty area when Ball took a corner kick. Ball tried a surprise shot from 25 yards, which Best saved at full stretch. Everton produced a superb move between Ball, Whittle and Kendall with Best giving away a corner as he saved from Ball. Whittle side-footed Ball's corner several feet wide. Ipswich were committed heavily on defence as Everton maintained an almost non-stop pressure. Harvey and Ball were driving their forwards on with some delightful midfield touches. Hurst was able to bring the ball 30 yards unchallenged, but miss-hit his shot so wide it went out near the corner flag. Some of Everton's build-up was of high class and Whittle finished one more with a pass to Harvey, whose close range shot was only inches wide.
Lucky rebound

Best had not been troubled yet in the Ipswich goal, and he was able to watch a Kendall header float over the bar. Robertson and Viljoen were trying hard to create some Ipswich attacking moves, but the best effort came when Mills went through cleverly. As Robertson crossed, Kenyon missed his kick and Lambert came close to making contact with a gift chance. Ipswich had an escape when Harvey's shot from 20 yards was deflected by McNeil on to the post and the ball rebounded into Best's arms as he lay on the ground. West was in action seriously for the first time when Lambert hit a tremendous shot from 20 yards. The goalkeeper punched the ball high in the air and then punched it forward again as Whymark challenged. West had to make a desperate dash out of the penalty area to kick clear as Lambert moved onto a long through pass. Everton had been back on defence for about ten minutes and were clearly frustrated that they couldn't get going with any domination against the Ipswich defenders. A fine Ball / Harvey move ended with Royle going up well to Morrisey's centre, but heading just over. Morrissey powered a header straight at Best from a Wright centre as Everton recovered from Ipswich's burst of attacking. Carroll was spoken to after a foul on Morrissey, and from the free kick Royle got in a good header which Best saved equally well. Three minutes before half time Everton went ahead with Whittle's first League goal of the season. Royle hammered in an angled shot which struck Whittle, bounced down as Best tried to recover Whittle turned the ball over the line. There was no doubt that Everton deserved to be in front. Apart from a brief attacking spell, Ipswich had been mainly occupied on defence. Everton's play, however, had not approached the standard of last week at West Ham. A good deal of credit for this must go to the Ipswich defenders. Half-time.—Everton 1 Ipswich 0.
After Whymark had pushed the ball well wide of the posts, Everton settled into the repeat of the first half pattern—on attack. Carroll who had been spoken to by the referee in the first half, was booked for a foul on Morrissey,  but Baxter, playing calmly in the Ipswich defence, cleared the free kick.
Best chances

In an Ipswich breakaway, Robertson outpaced Newton and cleverly pulled the ball back to the incoming Whymark, who missed his kick completely from the best chance Ipswich had created. Ball missed an easy chance when Morrissey nodded down Royle's cross to his feet. Ball turned and, with all the goal to shoot at, drove the ball wide. In a way this incident typifies Everton's frustration. There was fine build up at times, but poor finish. Harvey burst through the Ipswich defence with a brilliant dribble to finish by pushing the ball to Whittle, whose shot looked to be on target but struck Robertson Another first goal of the season—this time by Kendall—increased Everton's lead after 62 minutes. Whittle had been cut down by Mills, and from Ball's free kick Kendall made a brilliant back header to send the ball dropping over Best's arms into the far corner of the net. Everton's two-goal lead was more in keeping with the flow of play, but they were still inclined to make mistakes. Robertson had been Ipswich's best forward, always doing the simple things quickly and well. But the game generally was based in the Ipswich half as Everton drove forward, only to break down against weight of numbers. 
Harvey shines
Harvey was the outstanding player on the field. He weaved through to hit a fine shot inches wide and this was followed by Kendall missing a headed chance much easier than the one from which he had scored. Harvey earned bursts of applause fur some of his superb touches, but the game slackened off a good deal and Ipswich were beginning to have more of the play in midfield. Everton should have won this game by a margin of five or six considering the amount of play they had had but the shooting had been indifferent and the Ipswich defence very steady. Attendance 41,506.
The Verdict

Everton kept Ipswich back on defence for much of the game. But with Ipswich pulling back nine and ten men, Everton found it difficult to round off their midfield command. Harvey was brilliant in this department and Morrissey also did well up front. Ipswich defended well, but in this untidy game the fans did not see the punishing finish they had hoped for from Everton against the team second from bottom.

LANE THE MAGNET-BLUES AND UNITED SEE HIM STAR
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 September 1970
TRANMERE ROVERS' brilliant young goalkeeper, Frank Lane, was watched again this week by two of the biggest clubs in the business Everton and Manchester United. Wilf Dixon, Everton's chief coach, and Pat Crerand, United's Scottish international wing half currently out of the first team, saw Lane play impressively against Coventry in the mid-week League Cup-tie Although both were there primarily to check on Coventry—they played United this afternoon and Everton meet them in three weeks' time—we understand that the mission to watch Lane was just as important.

OUR FUTURE MEANS MORE THAN EUROPEAN KUDOS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 September 1970
THE HARRY CATTERICK SOCCER COLUMN
BRITISH clubs will soon be “invading" Europe on the annual bid to capture cash and cups. At club level, there can be no doubt that Britain's teams are rightly feared in Europe. It is in this mood of controlled optimism that Everton, will start their European Cup campaign against Iceland's champion Keflavik at Goodison Park next week.  I am naturally hoping our win at Upton Park last Saturday is a sign that we shall see the real Everton in time to put up a good show in the European Cup.
Keynote
As a manager, I have always tried to get my priorities right by pointing out that the hardest competition in the world to win is the Football League championship. It calls on stamina, skill, courage from the players in all kinds of conditions, and against the best all-round footballers in the world. Consistency and class is the keynote of a great League championship team, whereas in the European Cup tactics play a vital part.  Frankly, as a manager I find myself with two conflicting points of view. On the one hand there is the prospect of a good run against well supported clubs such as Inter-Milan, Real Madrid and Benfica which can put at least another £100,000 in the kitty of the English club. Let us not be naive about this, I would say that in England and Scotland, European football is the best supported anywhere with the possible exception of Italy. On the other had, as a manager who has always liked to watch good attacking football bring its just rewards. I must admit that two-legged European Cup-ties mitigate against bright entertaining soccer.  With so much at stake, it has now become an accepted policy in Europen football for the away team to pack as many defenders as possible and play resolutely for a draw. It is perhaps sad that in our League football, far too many teams are copying these tactics. It is a trend I feel that has got to be stopped somehow. There can, however, be no doubt that in the European Cup Everton will have to modify their usual attacking style in away fixtures. It won't be easy, but is very necessary. I am fortified by the fact that Manchester United, the first English club to enter the European Cup and win it, have always been famed for trying to play entertaining attacking football, yet they were able to curb this natural tendency when in Europe. Is it then worth all this trouble and tactical planning to play in all these European competitions ? The answer to that is yes, providing you get your priorities right, and still keep planning for the future. From a manager's point of view, European football poses many problems. It is an added responsibility because, despite all the glamour and kudos which the club may get, he must not lose sight of the overall policy of the club. For instance, at Everton, although we are in the European Cup, I am not losing sight of the fact that the club will—one hopes—be playing in the First Division in 10 years' time. So the staff has given trials to some 5,000 young players in the past few months to build for that future. At the same time, we have been thinking ahead as to how best to tackle our European Cup commitments. Harry Cooke, our chief scout, has been to Iceland, not just to check on their players although we now have a complete dossier about their style and strengths —but also to check on climatic conditions, hotel accommodation and so on.

KEFLAVIK TRY AGAIN…BUT IT’S LIKELY TO BE THE SECOND TIME OUT!
Liverpool Echo - Monday 14 September 1970
By Mike Charters
KEFLAVIK, Everton's opponents in the European Cup at Goodison on Wednesday night, have one distinction -this is the second time they have played in the major European club competition, although they were formed only 14 years ago. That s good going for an all-amateur side. And they are quick to point out that their players ARE really amateurs, not like the “amateurs from Iron Curtain countries who usually have Government sponsored jobs to allow them to play full time. They are bringing 16 players in the party ore which flies to Liverpool to-morrow, accompanied by about 60 supporters. They are a big side, physically, but it must be assumed their standard of ability will be on a par with our non-League clubs. Records through the six years in which Icelandic clubs have been competing in the Europeon Cup prove this. The best any of their clubs has done was in 1967-68. When Valur Reykjavik reached the second round. They beat Luxembourg's Jeunesse d'Esch in the first round, on the rule of away goals counting double (the aggregate was 4-4) —then were thrashed 11-1 by Vasas.  Keflavik themselves were summarily dismissed in 1965-66 by the team Liverpool play tomorrow in the Fairs Cup-Ferencvaros.  The Hungarians won 9-1, in Budapest, 4-1 in Iceland.  Evertonians will be anticipating similar score-lines from the two matches this month at Goodison and in Reykjavik. Heavy defeats for Icelandc teams—last year Feyenoord, the eventual European Cup winners, boat K.R. Reykjarvic 16-0, and the year before, Benfica thrashed Valur Reykjarvic 8-0.  But these "cricket” scores must be judged in the light of the amateur set-up in Iceland. There are eight teams in their First Division, the season only lasts from May to October because of the severe winter, and they play only 14 League games.

BLUES MAY FIND IT EASIER TO WIN AWAY THEN AT HOME
Liverpool Echo - Monday 14 September 1970
By Mike Charters
First home win, first game without conceding a goal, first goals for Whittle and Kendall, all this season . . these were the Everton facts to emerge from an undistinguished Everton game at Goodison on Saturday. But there was a much more fundamental factor behind Everton's 2-0 win over second from bottom Ipswich Town. It was typical of those untidy, inconclusive matches where one team has no higher ambition than to defend for the whole game. Ipswich did just that -and no one can blame them. They would have committed soccer suicide had they been prepared to take on Everton in an all-out attacking spree.
Disappointed
Everton dominated, naturally; they missed many chances, inevitably; the fans went away disappointed, also inevitably. They had anticipated an Everton scoring revel—but it was never on the cards. Ipswich defended with courage and skill, McNeil did a good Job in keeping tabs on Royle, veteran Baxter had a calming and effective influence when the pressure was at its height. Full backs Carroll and Mills were determined to give nothing away, Carroll taking it to excess so that he was booked for a foul on Morrissey. Everton's best and most consistent striking forward. Yet Everton had so much superior skill, with greater pace and variety of ideas, that they showed their frustration when goals would not come. It needed a typical Whittle scoring effort from a half chance after Royle's shot had been deflected to ease Everton's worries, near halftime. There was a spell just before that when Ipswich broke out of their defensive shell to create concern in the Everton defence. West saved well from a good header by Baxter and then startled the crowd with a couple of those spectacular clearing dashes beyond the penalty area which he produces with such an exaggerated air of drama. Apart from these moments, however, the midfield command of Ball and Harvey—with Harvey outstanding—kept Everton in firm control. Morrissey responded well to their prompting, but Royle was unable to make much impact apart from two headers which went wide, another straight at the competent Best in the Ipswich goal. Whittle tried hard and took his only scoring chance well, but there was no real penetration or punishing thrust from the Everton attack. Kendall showed the way with the neatest of back headers for the second goal, and then failed with an easier chance a few minutes later. Ball also drove the ball wide -and must have wondered how he could have missed. There were moments of sheer brilliance in many Everton midfield moves. The bulld-up was immaculate -the end product so negative as they hurled themselves at the packed Ipswich defence. Strong in the middle, a little ragged at both ends… that was Everton. The defence did not always look too composed against the occasional Ipswich breakaway, in which Robertson and Woods were dangerous. The pattern of this game will be followed many times at Goodison. It looks as though it will be easier to win away than at home!

KEFLAVIK WILL PIN FAITH IN YOUNGSTERS
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 15 September 1970
By Mike Charters
ICELANDIC champions Keflavik will parade three current internationals in their young side average age 21 -against Everton in the first round of the European Cup at Goodison Park tomorrow night. Their best-known player is captain and centre-half Gudni Kjartansson, 23-years-old international with 14 caps. Another personality is top scoring centre forward Jon Olafur Jonsson, at 29 the oldest player in the side. He has played twice for his country. A boy with a George Best hairstyle is 18-yearsold Fridrik Ragnarsson, who wears the No. 11 shirt and has a flair for goals which has brought him four Under-23 caps. Another defender with international experience is 20-years-old Einar Gunnarsson, with seven caps -he is rated one of the finest young players Iceland has produced. A party of 16 players, with officials and supporters, flew into Liverpool airport this afternoon. The official party is staying at Lymm, and the fans will be based in Southport. The team is likely to be: Olafsson: Ketilsson, Astradur Gunnarsson; Einar Gunnarsson, Kjartansson, Torfasson: Ainarsson, Magnusson, Jonsson, Hordur Ragnarsson, Fridrik Ragriarsson. Everton have been warned that the second leg tie on September 30 may only just beat the onset of winter, and there is a chance that it may have snowed by then. The Keflavik team, plus 16 supporters, flew into Liverpool Airport this afternoon, and coach Holmbert Sigurdsson was very frank about their chances against Everton to-morrow night. He said: “We know that we have no chance against Everton. It is a game between the cat and the mouse, and we are the mouse. We will do our best, of course, but we are only a team of amateurs. “We hope to keep the score down as much as we can so that we will be able to attract a good crowd to see Everton when they play in Iceland at the end of the month."

EVERTON HOPE TO BRING BACK HUSBAND
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 15 September 1970
EVERTON expect to have winger Jimmy Husband fit for to-morrow night's European Cup-tie against the Icelandic champions. Keflavik--and if so the team will be that which defeated West Ham 10 days ago, writes Mike Charlton.  Husband missed the match against Ipswich last Saturday because of an injured thigh, Alan Whittle replacing him and scoring a goal in the 2-0 victory. Manager Harry Catterick said to-day: "if Husband had been fit I would have played him last week. I think he will be all right to-morrow and I want to get back to the formation which won at West Ham because I regard that as the strongest line-up I have at the moment." Mr. Catterick has added Husband, Brian Labone, Sandy Brown, Tommy Jackson, and reserve goalkeeper Andy Rankin to the 11 who played against Ipswich. Looking ahead to Everton's first European Cup-tie for seven years, Mr. Catterick said: "The report I have had on Keflavik from chief scout Harry Cooke indicates that the Icelandic team is made up of big player, and I anticipate that they can be quite strong defensively. “However, I think we will obviously have the edge in sharpness and pace in all departments. Of course, a win over a team such as this doesn't mean very much”

SIR ALF GIVES BALL CAPTAIN’S JOB
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 15 September 1970
Alan Ball's new job at Everton as captain, which brought nation-wide publicity early in the season, gets high-level backing to-day . . . England team manager Sir All Ramsey has selected him to lead the Football League team against the Irish League at Norwich a week to-morrow, writes Mike Charters. Ball will have team mates Colin Harvey and Joe Royle with him in a side which Sir Alf will use as part of his preparations for the internationals in the Nations Cup later in the season. This will be the first League representative honour for Royle, Ball has played six times, Harvey twice, for the Football League.

MEAN THAT’S EVERTON IN MERCILESS MOOD
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 16 September 1970
By Mike Charters
EVERTON Cather into Europe again to-night with the ambition of making a greater impact on the Continent than ever before. They mean to make the name of Everton court for something in the wider sphere of European football. Since they first entered the Fairs Cup eight years ago, the best they have done is to reach the third round of that competition in 1964. Their European Cup venture ended at the first hurdle to the great Inter Milan side' of that time. Now Manager Harry Catterick says: “We will be going all out to succeed in the European Cup this season. To win the League Championship will always be our principal target because it takes more to win that than any other. “But there's money to be made in Europe, and if we miss the championship and win the European Cup. I'll be happy.” Games played over two legs do not produce football to entertain spectators, he believes. With the emphasis on defence in the away match, he insists that the best soccer comes from Football League games where both teams go out to attack " Of course, the trend of defensive play in England is growing all the time." he added.”  But there are games in which both sides go out to entertain and that's kind of football which I like to encourage at Everton." There should be no difficulty in Everton attacking…and entertaining against the amateurs of Keflavik in the first round to-night. Keflavik coach Holmbert Sigurdsson is a realist about his team's chances—a team made up of clerks, students, Carpenters and the like.
Cat and mouse
He said when he arrived in Liverpool yesterday:  “We know we have no chance against a team like Everton.  We are the mouse in a game of cat and mouse. We will do our best to keep the score down “To add to the impression of the team just coming for the formality of completing the tie, they have brought about 60 supporters with them, several of them girl friends of the players, and they're making the trip a holiday. The whole party is going by coach to London to-morrow to spend a few days sight-seeing and shopping. They return to Iceland on Sunday, and their only hope is that the score in Everton's favour is not so big that it will keep their fans away for the second leg in Reykjavik on September 30.
By contrast, Everton are treating this game with all the serious intent of a League game. They will be at full strength with the return of Jimmy Husband after injury and Mr. Catterick says: "We should be too sharp and fast for them in all departments.  
Instinct”
The players are in a mean mood. They think things have been going against them this season. "If it is possible to score 50 goals, we want 50 goals. It would be an insult to our opponents to play any other way. "Our natural instinct is to attack, so it will be more difficult for us to adapt to the defensive approach which European Cup football emphasizes among away teams." Everton's professional approach, their tactical know-how and superiority in skill and technique, should make this a one-sided exercise. Their fans will be hoping to see a goal feast. Keflavik will defend-and they have some big men in defence. Everton must crack them wide open and leave nothing to chance for the second leg. Everton; West; Wright, Newton, Kendall, Kenyon, Husband, Ball, Royle, Hurst, Morrissey. Subs from Rankin, Labone, Brown, Jackson, Whittle. Two substitutes can be used at any time—Rankin being one as the deputy goalkeeper.

WEST BOILS AS ICEMAN KEEPS COOL
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 17 September 1970
BY Mike Charters
EVERTON fans were still talking to-day about the contrasting fortunes of the goalkeepers in last night's incident-packed European Cup-tie at Goodison Park... the unhappy Gordon West and 19-years-old Keflavik star Thorsteinn Olafsson, who was given a standing ovation by the crowd. Olausson had one of
those games which come only rarely to goalkeepers. Despite being beaten six times he saved his side from a double-figure defeat with a mixture of bravery, competent handling and fine positional play which had the crowd roaring its applause. Everton so outclassed the Icelandic amateurs that the game became little more than a shouting-in session …but Olafsson single-handed held his defence together when they might have cracked beyond repair against the weight of Everton attacking pressure. In stark contrast, West had so little to do that he was a spectator for the majority of the game . . . but even so he was involved in major incidents which led to Keflavik's two goals, and almost gifted them another.  He was the victim of an incredible mix-up in the Everton defence which gave Keflavik a leading goal they held for 28 remarkable minutes. He missed an attempted catch, but a Keith Newton clearance hit him and rebounded into the net for an own goal. Clearly disturbed by this West took so long about clearing the bail from a back pass that only the crowd's shouted warning enabled him to make a desperate dive on the ball as Keflavik winger Ragnarsson raced in. The crowd at the Gwladys Street end let him know what they thought…and West replied with the victory sign gesture. And that made the crowd shout even more. West was last off the pitch at half time, assisted by a consoling pat on the back from Newton, but he did not line up with the rest of the Everton players when they applauded their gallant opponents into the players tunnel. West had erred with Keflavik's second goal to complete a nightmare game for him while the rest of the team turned on an all-out attacking show which kept the 28,424 crowd highly entertained.

ROY VERNON JOINS GREAT HARWOOD
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 17 September 1970
Roy Vernon, the former Welsh international inside forward who was given a free transfer by Stoke City in June, has signed for Northern Premier League side Great Harwood. At Great Harwood he will line up again with former Blackburn Rovers colleagues Bryan Douglas and Ronnie Clayton. They were all in the team which took Blackburn to the First Division in 1957-8. Two years later Vernon joined Everton.

28 MINUTES WHICH SHOCKED THE SOCCER WORLD!
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 17 September 1970
By Mike Charters

For 28 fantastic, almost unbelievable minutes at Goodison last night, the amateurs of Keflavik led League champions Everton by one goal. With nothing to offer except courage and the competence of their goalkeeper, the unknown Icelandic team, who had come as no-hopers in this European Cup tie, kept Everton goalless until six minutes before half time. And the scenes as Everton hammered shot, and headers at the Keflavik goal bordered from the comic, almost like scenes from the Keystone cops era, to the incredible as Everton did literally everything but score.

In the end, of course. Everton took a four goal lead on the first leg with their 6-2 victory. And the score line was memorable for two factors—that Everton did not win by double figures; that this amateur side so out-classed in everything bar bravery, managed to score twice. Even when Keflavik took the lead, it was only a question of time before Everton wiped it out. There was never any fear that this was going to be one of the great shock results of all time. It was the one-sided exercise I thought it was going to be, but there were disturbing features about it for Everton. When Keflavik scored, after 12 minutes, it was a comedy in itself—but a tragedy for West, who will want to forget this game as soon as possible. A free kick was lobbed into the Everton goalmouth, drawing West out of goal into no-man’s land. When Ragnarsson headed the ball on, West was stranded, but Kendall cleared off the line. Newton tried to complete the clearance, drove the ball against West, and it rebounded into the net for an own goal. Keflavik could hardly believe it . . . and the crowd took it as a huge joke until there came another West incident. There would be no point in detailing the number of shots and headers which Everton hurled at the courageous, outclassed and outplayed Iceland defence. Morrissey and Husband were magnificent on the wings against the mildest of opposition, and the only Everton players who did not try to get into the scoring act were Kenyon and inevitably, West. Ball scored three, Royle two and Kendall one ... and the critical goals were those from Ball and Kendall in a two-minute spell just before half-time Ball snapped up a chance from a corner to score the opening goal, Kendall hammered a fine shot from another corner from the second. Altogether, Everton had 27 corners, Keflavik only one, to give an impression of how one-sided this game was. Goalkeeper Olafsson won himself a special place in the hearts of the Everton fans with a superb exhibition of competence, good handling and courage.
Ovation
They gave him, and the rest of the Keflavik side, a standing ovation at the end as the Everton players -with the exception of West, who disappeared quickly down the tunnel -lined up to applaud their opponents off the pitch. West had completed a nightmare game, in which for long spells he was only a spectator, by failing to catch another free kick, pushing the ball down for Ragnarsson to score the second goal for Keflaviick when Everton were leading 6-1.

THE AXE FALLS..WEST GOES OUT, RANKIN IS IN
Liverpool Echo - Friday 18 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Barracking never did any player any good ...and it has had a serious effect on West. His form is gone. His confidence is shattered. He thinks any mistake he makes will cost a goal.'-Harry Catterick. 
EVERTON have dropped goalkeeper Gordon West. After 108 consecutive first team appearances, he is replaced by reserve Andy Rankin at Blackpool tomorrow because, in the words of manager Harry Catterick . "He has lost his confidence and form. I have decided to rest him until he gets them back." After playing brilliantly at Chelsea in the Charity Shield a week before the opened. West has made several errors which have cost goals. He was jeered by Everton fans during his astonishing display against Kevlavik in the European Cup on Wednesday and the chief blames the barracking he has at Goodison as a major factor in West's loss of form. Mr. Catterick said; "Barracking never did any player any good… and it has had serous effect on West, making him very nervous "Even before the game started against Kevlavik, some of the terrace fans at the Gwladys Street end were shouting obscene abuse at him.  "It has happened at several home games this season as well. When he was the victim in the own-goal mix-up which gave Kevlavik the lead, plus the incident where he failed to clear quickly shortly afterwards, the crowd's comments were unbelievable in their intensity. "I can't see what satisfaction a barracker can get at shouting at a player from a distance of 20 yards. This sort of thing has destroyed many players.
Confidence

"Before the season started. West was one of the top three or four goalkeepers in the country. He could have played for England in the World Cup this summer but for opting out of international football. "Now his form has gone. His confidence is shattered because he thinks every mistake he makes is going to cost a goal—and goalkeepers' mistakes are critical. “Outfield men can make mistakes and get away with them but a goalkeeper's error is there for everyone to see.” I feel very sorry for him at the moment. He is a very conscientious player, a great influence with his good humour during training sessions, and a very fine goalkeeper, despite his current form. “I think a rest will do him good; it is all I can do for him at the moment to help him come back to the brilliant standard he has shown so often for us through the years." Rankin steps into the team for the first time since May 6, 1967, when he played against Aston Villa. Since then, West has played in 135 League games and 23 Cup ties, missing only one match. This was at West Ham on May 11, 1968, when Geoff Barnett replaced him in the match immediately before the F.A. Cup Final. Altogether, West has made 343 first team appearances, including 285 League games. Rankin makes a dramatic re-appearance in the League side. Ten days before this season started he had an appendix operation, but has recovered so well that he has been able to play several games in the Central League team. Everton: Rankin; Wright, Newton; Kendall, Kenyon, Harvey; Husband, Ball, Royle, Hurst, Morrissey. Sub. (from): Brown. Jackson. Kenny.

GREEN MAY RETURN AGAINST BLUES
Liverpool Echo - Friday 18 September 1970
LES Shannon, manager of injury-ravaged Blackpool, may introduce a surprise against Everton at Bloomfield Road tomorrow Tony Green, the Scottish star who hasn't played in the League for 17 months through injury. Green is included in a party of 13 from whom Shannon will make final selection and comes into the reckoning at his own request. Green has been restricted to half a dozen Central League outings because of a thigh muscle strain this season. Ruled out are former Everton leader Fred Pickering (swollen elbow) and Alan Suddick (kidney infection). BLACKPOOL (from) Thomson: Armfield, Craven, Bentley, Alcock, Hatton, Burns, Rowe, Hughes, Coleman, Hutchison, Green, Nicholson.

OLD PALS BUT BOTH SIDES WILL WANT TWO VITAL POINTS
Liverpool Echo - Friday 18 September 1970
EVERTON skipper Alan Ball goes back to-morrow to his old club, Blackpool, for the first time in three years . . . and I think he'll lead his team to a good win against the side managed by former Everton coach Les Shannon. A Joe Boyle goal gave Everton victory the last time they were at Blackpool in April, 1967, with  Blackpool going down at the end of that season. Apart from Ball returning to the ground where he first impressed his talent on the football world it will also be homecoming day for Blackpool boys John Hurst and Roger Kenton who joined Everton after their school days at the seaside.
Seven down
With the probability of former Skelmersdale winger Micky Burns making his first appearance of the season for Blackpool, it will almost be like an old boys' reunion…but with points -gathering the business of the day rather than handshakes.  Blackpool, who have not scored in their last three League matches, have been hit by an injury crisis which Shannon hopes will be sorted out by to-morrow. Seven men have been down with injury or illness during the week. Alan Suddick, former Newcastle forward, will not play and one-time Everton centre forward Fred Pickering could be ruled out with elbow trouble. Pickering still holds the post-war Everton scoring record 37 with League and Cup goals in 1964-65, and it will be a big disappointment to him if he has to miss this chance of flaying against his old club Everton had a shooting revel against Keflavik in mid-week and I hope some of it is still retained to provide what could be Blackpool's biggest gate of the season with a high-powered exhibition. Andy Rankin comes back into the side for the first time for more than three years to show what he can do In the big time now that Gordon West has been dropped. Rankin has sufficient experience to slot into the senior picture quickly, and I understand he has been playing consistently well in the Central League side since his return after an appendix operation. He carries a major burden because goalkeeping errors have proved very costly for Everton so far this season. But he is a calm, competent type who won’t be worried about his sudden elevation which hasn't looked possible with West an ever-present for so long. Everton have the class and pace to beat a Blackpool side which has been so disturbed by a crippling injury list. I reckon Everton will bring off their third successive League win to continue that steady climb in the table which looked probable from the moment they won for the first time this season a fortnight ago.

HUSBAND LIMPS OFF AFTER GREAT GOAL
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 September 1970
BLACKPOOL 0, EVERTON 2
By Mike Charters

Line-Up;- Blackpool; Thompson; Armfield, Craven; Bentley, Alcock, Hatton; Burns, Rowe, Hughes, Coleman, Hutchinson, Sub Green.  Everton; Rankin; Wright, Newton; Kendall, Kenyon, Harvey; Husband, Ball, Royle, Morrissey, Sub Brown.  Referee. Mr. P. Parridge (Middlesbrough). 
ANDY RANKIN, making his first senior appearance since May, 1967, had little to do against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road this afternoon. Everton were so dominant in the first half that their defence was rarely troubled, and Royle twice went close with good headers. Rankin’s first touch of the ball in first team football for early three and a half years came after two minutes when he picked up the ball as Burns tried to move through from Bentley’s pass.  After eight minutes Coleman fell heavily after a tackle by Wright and was carried to the dressing rooms.  It looked as though he had hurt his shoulder.  Green came on for his first senior appearance for 17 months.  This was a tragic start for Blackpool, already hit by injuries which had caused them to make four changes.  Everton began to dominate the game Kendall burst through from Royle’s pass and his centre grazed the face of the crossbar and flashed to the far side of the field where Armfield cleared.  Royle went up for Ball’s free kick, going inches above the Blackpool defence, but sent his header wide. 
On defence
Everton had Blackpool firmly on defence and apart from a few neat touches by Hutchison the Blackpool forwards made little headway.  Ball, Harvey and Kendall were in complete midfield command, and the Blackpool defence had to cope with a stream of Everton attacks down both wings. It was Kendall who produced the first good shot, after 20 minutes, with a 25 yards effort which Thomson caught well. Everton were so sharp on the ball that Blackpool were having to struggle to contain them, but defensively they were doing well. A brilliant Everton move, with the ball moving from right to left, saw Morrissey make an accurate cross for Royle to try to place a header Into the far corner, but Thomson made a spectacular save. Hughes made a good break down the right to set up Blackpool's first major attack. From his cross Green headed over the bar, Hurst and Newton were spoken to by the referee after crunching tackles, and this, following the Wright-Coleman incident, enraged the Blackpool fans. Rankin 's first test came after 31 minutes. He went down to collect a harmless looking shot from Hutchinson, but as Hughes raced in, lost possession and Hughes hooked the ball towards the empty net. Kenyon, however, had anticipated the danger and cleared. Everton lost some of their earlier zip and Ball was urging his team mates on to regain their rhythm. After a good build-up in mid-field there was a lack of decision about their finishing. A centre by Royle slipped past Husband and Ball to run out for a goal kick. Everton's earlier rhythm was now looking a bit frayed, but Ball was still spraying accurate passes about without getting much response. The game had become very ordinary with few attacking incidents of note, Blackpool had tightened up at the back and were showing more purpose in midfield. A minute before the interval Everton took the lead they just about deserved on the run of play. From Ball's corner on the right Husband back-headed the ball to, the far side of goal and Morrissey closed in to side foot it into the net without challenge. On the restart Bentley as booked for a foul on Ball—certainly the worst of several incidents after which the referee had spoken to Everton players.
Half- time. Blackpool nil. Everton 1.
There were more problems for Blackpool, when they had to move Rowe to centre forward, limping badly with a leg strain. Kendall's burst down the right brought Everton a corner from which Royle made a fine header, which Thomson turned over the bar. Coleman was taken to hospital after dressing room treatment for attention to a suspected fracture of the shoulder. After 48 minutes a perfectly executed through pass by Ball caught the Blackpool defence flat-footed, Husband ran through unchallenged and as Thomson raced out, drove the ball from the edge of the area into the corner of the net. It was a perfectly placed, if not powerful shot. Five minutes after his goal Husband, who bad taken a leg knock in the first half, limped off and Brown substituted.
The always dependable Brown took on a new role of winger and was soon in action, taking a fine pass from Wright but putting his centre too close to the goalkeeper. Harvey had the ball in the net again for what looked a legitimate goal, but the referee disallowed it for a foul by Royle on the goalkeeper. Green had had a hard stint on his return to the first team. He made a splendid run to hold off three Everton tackles before hitting a shot which Hurst headed away for a corner. With Rowe only a passenger and considering how handicapped they were by injuries, Blackpool had played with great spirit. Ball was having a magnificent game on his old ground. Most of Everton's attacks stemmed from his accurate midfield distribution. Morrissey almost got a second goal, thanks to Ball's adroit pass, but Thomson saved well.  Kenyon was booked for a tackle on Craven—the first time since he came into the first team.  A shot by Kendall from Brown's cross was blocked when it looked as though Everton's third goal was on the way, and although they had slowed up Everton still carried all the menace up front which Blackpool could not produce. - Rankin made a splendid save from Green who had done well on his return.

DEFENCE DOMINATE AT GOODISON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 September 1970
Derby had the best of the first 20 minutes, Everton unable to find their rhythm and the visiting defence had few problems. Butlins, who was drifting out to the left wing, produced a couple of centres which could have been dangerous for Williams, but quick thinking by Styles got the ball away. Everton had their best chance from a Whittle corner which went deep, but Jackson's shot from the penalty line went over the top. The game developed into a defensive battle, Jackson tried a couple of long range shots which went over and Butlin at the other end tested Williams but not seriously. Melledew hit a point- blank shot from about six yards out but Bolton instinctively got his body in the way.  Half-time; Everton res 0, Derby County Res 0.  Everton Reserves; Williams; Darcy, Styles; Smith, Labone, Jackson, Whittle, Wilson, Melledew, Seargeant, Jones, Sub Hughes.  Derby County Res; Bolton; Daniel, Lewis; Bailey, Stone, Mason; Bourne, Sims, Bullins, Hutchinson, Toon, Sub Phelan.  Referee; Mr. K. Kelly, of Accrington.

£ s d-BUT NO TAKERS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 September 1970
Transfer market is dying-clubs won’t part with players
ENGLAND'S TOP clubs have more than £1,000,000 available to buy players. There's only one snag. The players they want can't be bought.  The transfer market is dying, for clubs are holding onto their best players. This applies to Second Division clubs as much as those in the First Division. A club must be desperately short of cash before selling. When fans start shouting that their club should buy a certain player, they should ask themselves this question: "What Is the point of me asking Bill Nicholson if he has an any Spurs to sell and vice versa? Club, who sell their best players end up relegated. The great clubs of the future will be forced to rely primarily on the home produced players. This trend was set some years ago and it is vital to have scouts who can pick out future stars when they are only 13.
Baby-snatchers
You can't afford to wait because by the time an top boy is 15, he is generally earmarked for a League club.  We have heard a great deal in the past of clubs being guilty of being bady snatchers.  This is seldom true.  At Everton we have 10 apprentice professionals, although we could have 15, and it is a must for every boy who signs for us in study.  This is one of the hardest jobs as manager has to face when he tells a boy leaving school at 15 he should devote at least one day a week to sturdy.  We’ve all been through this stage, leaving school and thinking that’s the end of lessons. 
Sturdy time
A boy footballer has to be doubly careful, for though he loves the game and may show outstanding skill in his teens, no one can guarantee him success in his chosen profession.  When a boy signs for Everton at 15, he is on a three-year contract until he is 18 and can sign-if invited—as a full-time professional. His hours of work are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and one day a week is set for him to study some profession or work of his own choosing.  It may be a trade or more academicals subjects. For instance, we have a very promising player, Peter Scott, a former schoolboy international who is at present studying for an extra A-level in history. A former player Geoff Barnett, the goalkeeper we sold to Arsenal, is an expert in several languages.   Brian Labone is also a very good scholar over a range of subjects.  So you see, the days of the old cloth-capped professionals who could do nothing but kick a football is fading.  This is surely all to the good of the game, for when a man is 32 to 34 and has to finish he has a lot of years to live.  This aspect of learning and also the decreasing number of transfers is going to be a trend in the 1970’s.  Furthermore clubs will tend to intensify their search for promising schoolboys throughout the country. This is better than the policy in former times when managers armed with a big fat cheque book went to the North- East and Scotland to buy up all the best talent. To give you the picture, look at these Merseyside boys who have come through the Everton youth policy: Brian Labone, Cohn Harvey, Joe Royle, Alan Whittle, Roger Kenyon, John Hurst, Frank Darcy, Andy Rankin and Tommy Wright. Other top clubs are engaged in the same sort of youth policy and in the years to come we shall be reading less and less of 100,000 transfers. It is a move that is also benefiting the fans. Look at the way money, once used exclusively in the transfer market, is now utilized in building new stands and improving spectators' accommodation. A manager must now plan six or seven years ahead using his own skill and judgment, as well as that of his scouts. I n discovering and developing the youngsters as tomorrow's stars.

SOCCERSCOPE
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 September 1970
Everton’s game with at Goodison made TV history.  It was the first time in any ground in Britain that colour TV was produced under standards of lighting normally only obtained in studious.  The new Goodison floodlights-and those at Anfield –are lit to optimum standards for colour outside broadcast.  They are the only grounds in this country lit to this level.  The lights are 200 times brighter than London’s Oxford Street. 

BALL, ROYLE OUT AS LEAGUE SIDE IS CUT IN HALF
Liverpool Echo - Monday 21 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Sir Alf Ramsey's Football League team to meet the Irish League at Norwich on Wednesday was cut to ribbons to-day as half the side withdrew, including Everton pair Alan Ball, the League captain, and Joe Royle. Only Colin Harvey of the Everton trio will now play for the Football League and, joining Ball Royle on the list of withdrawals are three Leeds players. Terry Cooper, Norman Hunter and Allan Clarke, and two of the party's reserves. Sunderland's Colin Todd and Manchester United's Brian Kidd. Sir Alf has called up Derby pair Kevin Hector and John Robson, West Bromwich pair Tony Brown and Jeff Astle, Leicester's David Nish, and two players who are playing in League Cup replays to-night, Ian Moore (Nottingham Forest) and Dennis Smith (Stoke). The unspecified injuries that have kept Ball and Royle out of the match must also make them doubtful for Saturday's League match with Crystal Palace at Goodison Park. A third doubt for this match is Jimmy Husband who was also hurt at Blackpool on Saturday. The irony of Husband's injury is that he first strained a hamstring muscle behind his Ieft knee trying to get out of way of Alan Ball as the Everton skipper went hurtling through the air from a tackle by Blackpool wing half Bill Bentley.
Competent
Ball and Husband both had attention—with Bentley being booked. A few minutes later, Husband scored the second goal…and further damaged the muscle. Manager Harry Catterick had a special word of praise for goalkeeper Andy Rankin, who replaced Gordon West for his first senior game since May 1967. Rankin had a comfortable return against a mediocre Blackpool side, and what he had to do was performed in competent style.

BLUES SAUNTER AGAINST INJURY –HIT BLACKPOOL
Liverpool Echo - Monday 21 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton's steady surge up the table continued without any strain at injury-ravaged Blackpool on Saturday. There must be a lot of sympathy for Les Shannon's team short of four first teamers before the game started -losing inside forward Coleman within a few minutes of the start with a broken collar bone, and down to ten effective men for half the game with Rowe a limping passenger at centre forward.  Several regulars who did play showed themselves short of First Division class, so Blackpool were never in the game with a chance. Everton sauntered-and that was literally their pace in the second half—to a 2-0 win which could only be faulted on the score. They missed a golden opportunity of boosting their goal average but at least they did, for the first time this season, push their goals for column above those conceded. Goalkeeper Thomson, and some inaccurate finish, kept Everton goalless until a minute before halt-time. Thomson had made a couple of brilliant saves from Royle headers and Kendall hit the bar Then Morrissey put the finishing touch to a Husband back-header from Ball's corner to ease the way for Everton to cruise to victory. Shortly after half-time, Husband latched on to Ball's neat through pass. drove the ball past Thomson, and then went off limping. That was the end of the scoring, with Thomson performing occasional heroics in the home goal, mainly from Royle, and a Harvey “goal " being disallowed for some reason unknown to observers. I thought the referee had awarded Blackpool a free kick for a foul by Royle on Thomson, but apparently referee Partridge decided that Harvey had fouled the goalkeeper. I didn't him within yards if Thomson. But it didn't really matter because Everton were in no danger from the lukewarm effort of the handicapped Blackpool side.
Easy return
Rankin could hardly have had an easier return to the first team after nearly three and a half years' reserve team football. He made one very fine save from Green, and the one time he seemed at fault, with Kenyon clearing off the line from Hughes, turned out not to be his error. Green, back on the first team scene for the first time in 17 months, was only expected to come on as substitute for the last 15 minutes or so to ease him back into the game. With Coleman going off to hospital, Green was on for more than 80 minutes and did very well.  Everton's command stemmed, as always from the class of Ball. Kendall and Harvey in midfield.  The defence was much stronger than in some recent games, but due consideration must be given to the indifferent opposition.

EVERTON ‘LOSE’ BY 90 MINUTES
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 23 September 1970
CLOUGH’S SWOOP LANDS GEMMILL
By Stan Liversedge
Derby County beat Everton to the punch for Preston mid- field star Archie Gemmill by 90 minutes. Derby agreed terms with Preston of just over £65,000 at 3 p.m. on Monday -and Everton agreed terms with Preston about an hour and a half later. So Everton, whose manager Harry Catterick, has himself won a reputation over the years for swift and secret transfer deals were pipped on the post for a player they have admired for months Once Brian Clough, Derby's manager had permission to approach Gemmill—and, as he was first to agree terms with Preston, he had first chance to talk to the player—he never let up. Preston manager Alan Ball told me to-day. "Gemmill should have reported to Deepdale at 10 o'clock yesterday morning ready to be interviewed by Everson. “I got a bit bothered as time went by—then at 11.30 Gemmill and Brian Clough turned up. It was impossible for Everton to talk to Gemmill—because Clough revealed that he already had Germill's signature. "I wish Gemmill the best of luck in his new career in the First Division but in his own interests I think he should have talked to both clubs before making up his mind" 'Mr. Clough said to-day: "The deal was finished when I arrived at Preston in the morning. I did not see anyone from Everton, and all I know of their interest was what Preston told me. “I was told that Everton had made a bid and were waiting to speak to the player." I was unable to contact Everton manager Harry Catterick to-day for his comments, but an Everton official said: "The story in the papers to-day about Gemmill was news to us.”

BLUES SLUMP IN FORD LEAGUE
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 24 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton have slumped from 34th to 47th place in the Ford Sporting League as a result of having their third booking of the season at Blackpool last Saturday. Although they picked up four points from their two away goals, the booking of Roger Kenyon cost them a five-point deduction. Liverpool have moved up five places to 53rd position. Southport remain the best placed local club, in eighth spot. They have had no deductions for disciplinary reasons and are 10 points behind leaders Oldham Athletic, who have taken over from Fulham. With Chester midway in the table, Tranmere and Wrexham have the worst local record. They are 82nd and 83rd respectively.

IT’S A GOODISON RETURN FOR RANKIN
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 24 September 1970
By Mike Charters
For Everton goalkeeper Andy Rankin gets the chance to show what he can do before the Goodison Park supporters on Saturday. After his competent show at Blackpool last week, I think the fans will give him a whole - hearted welcome on his first home League appearance since April, 1967. And for Gordon West, the target of barrackers among the Goodison crowd, it looks like the short trap to Bury on Saturday for the Central League fixture. After the unassuming Rankin had completed his stint at Blackpool, where he was rarely extended, manager Harry Catterick went on record as saying: "I dropped West because he was out of form. If a boy comes in for someone who was off form, and he does well, its' my policy to keep him in." On that basis, Rankin will be given a fair chance to confirm his standing in the first team. West, who did not play in any team last week-end, will be given an equal chance to regain his form in reserve team football. Obviously, a player of his quality cannot be rested indefinitely. He has to play himself out of his troubles which, in his case, are more a matter of temperament than ability.
Severe test
I feel that if he can in consistently good dis-will regain his first team place.  When he does appear before the Goodison crowd again, it will be a severe mental test. He must overcome it to re-establish himself. It is difficult to say how long West will have to soldier on in the reserves. If Rankin turns in consistently good displays. Mr. Cattericks' stated policy means that Rankin stays in the League team whatever West's form may be. But it is up to West to try to forget what happened last week In the Keflavik game and buckle clown to the job of playing so well that he is ready to come back when the occasion demands. Both goalkeepers will be in the 16-strong playing party for the visit to Iceland next week to complete the European Cup first round tie against Keflavik. Everton's four-goal lead from the 6-2 first leg result at Goodison should make the return a formality ... with Rankin in line for his seventh appearance in European competition while West, who has 13 European games behind him, could be substitute. Meanwhile, Rankin has to face the much improved Crystal Palace on Saturday while West plays against Bury Reserves. Both will have their problems Rankin against much harder opposition than last Saturday. West to start his comeback bid.
Injury problem
Everton's major injury problem for Saturday centres on Jimmy Husband, who has been having treatment and light training this week because of a pulled muscle behind the left knee. It could keep him out and Alan Whittle stands by to return to first team action. Palace, who have only conceded one away goal this season at Anfield could be without former Sheffield United and Chelsea striker Alan Birchenall. Palace paid Chelsea £140,000 for Birchenall and Bobby Tambling in the close season, and manager Bert Head gives Birchenall only a 50-50 chance of recovering from injury in time to play at Goodison.

GORDON WEST –ECHO EXCLUSIVE!
Liverpool Echo - Friday 25 September 1970
HE WRITES FOR YOU NEXT WEEK
Everton goalkeeper Gordon West—the man who has been rested, after the barracking he has received from fans writes in the Echo next week. Exclusively, of course. And he tells of the terrible abuse he has hail to endure from a section of the Goodison crowd. He tells, too, of the tremendous support he has had From manager Harry Catterick, chairman George Watts, and another section of Everton supporters… the ones who have gone out of their way to assure him: " Gordon—it wasn't US " West, a hero last season and the victim of the Soccer fates this season, reveals how it all began, in a fascinating story which shows the terrific strain a top-class footballer sometimes has to endure. Rags to riches . . . unknown to hero . . . hero to villain (in the eyes of some fans)—it's all to the Echo next week. This Gordon West exclusive begins on MONDAY. And it's a dramatic, human story YOU MUST NOT MISS.

ALAN WHITTLE STEPS IN FOR EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Friday 25 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton winger Jimmy Husband failed a fitness test at Bellefleld to-day and misses tomorrow's game at Goodison against Crystal Palace. Husband, who has been in his brightest form in the past few games, has been feeling strain from a pulled muscle behind his left knee. Alan Whittle replaces him. Husband has suffered from this injury previously, and was limping badly when he left the field after scoring at Blackpool last Saturday. This is the only change from that match, with goalkeeper Andy Rankin out to confirm the impression to create at Blackpool that he is in competent, confident mood and ready for all the pressure of First Division football again.  
Manager Harry Catterick told me; “Husband has been having treatment all week.  “There must also be a question mark against his fitness for the European Cup tie in Iceland next Wednesday. 
Strain
Rest is the major factor in Husband’s type of injury.  Light training and treatment help, of course, but it is so no use rushing a player when a few more days would make him 100 per rent."  Everton's Alan Ball and Joe Royle, who dropped out of the Football League team to play the Irish League this week through Injury, have been able to step up training and will play. Mr. Catteriek said: "Joe had a groin strain which cleared up well, while Ball has been feeling a leg strain which has responded to treatment. - Mr. Catterick has added Brian Labone, Sandy Brown and former English schools star John Smith to the party. EVERTON: Rankin; Wright, Newton; Kendall, Kenyon, Harvey; Whittle, Ball, Royle, Hurst, Morrissey, Sub. (from) Brown, Labone, Smith. Palace will be without their £100,000 buy Alan Birchenall, former Sheffield United and Chelsea forward, who has a leg strain. He is likely to be replaced by Jimmy Scott. But with wing half Phil Hoadley also in the party, they may decide to use him in a No. 11 shirt and operate as an additional midfield player. PALACE: Jackson; Sewell, Wall; Payne, McCormick, Blyth; Taylor, Kember, Queen, Tambling, Scott. Sub. Hoadley or Humphreys.

BLUES’ CLASS TO PIERCE PALACE GUARD
Liverpool Echo - Friday 25 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton manager Harry Catterick anticipates his team having to face a ten-man defence when the greatly improved Crystal Palace come to Goodison Park tomorrow. It looks like being yet another instalment of the fortnightly serial in which the away team is prepared to allow Everton to control midfield and batter away at a defensive wall. Palace are unbeaten in four away games, and the only goal they have conceded away was at Anfield in 1-1 draw. On that occasion, team work and efficiency of Palace showed clearly that they have learned the lessons of last season, when they only escaped relegation by a point. Manager Bert Head went bravely into the transfer market during the close season and spent well over £200,000 in strengthening his first team pool. He paid Chelsea £140,000 for forwards Alan Birchenall and and Bobby Tambling, £35,000 to Liverpool for full back Peter Wall, and another £15,000 for Everton's reserve winger Gerry Humphreys. He bought and sold others as well, until now he has the strength in depth to cope with injuries to first turners without unduly weakening his side.
Wisdom
Results this season have proved the wisdom of his transfer dealings. Not only have gates at Selhurst Park leapt to well over a 30,000 average, but Palace now stand sixth in the table and have only conceded five goals in nine games —three in the home crash to Spurs last Saturday. This indicates that Palace have adopted a formula for away matches which brings them points, even if it does not produce open, entertaining football. But - that is a fact of life in modern soccer and Everton realise they will have to take on a packed de fence to make any impression. They will come up against a top-class goalkeeper in John Jackson, whom manager Head rates second only to Gordon Banks.
Regular
Jackson had an outstanding game at Goodison last season when Everton only just managed to win 2-1 after dominating. He could turn on a repeat show tomorrow. Former Liverpool back Wall has slotted into the Palace first team in great style, and has established himself as a regular. Two other Palace players to note are 21- year-old midfield player Steve Kember and centre forward Gerry Queen. Kember has impressed many good judges this season with his hardworking skill and could be in line for an Under-23 cap, while Queen, with five goals so far, is winning the sort of recognition which could make the Scots consider him for a cap. Palace will be a tough proposition for Everton, who will be seeking their fourth successive League win. It will need some sharp finishing from the Everton attack to break down this Palace rearguard action, and much will depend on how Joe Royle copes with another Scot, the 6ft plus John McCormick, who is the dominating figure in the Palace defence.
Sharpness
Alan Whittle is likely to replace the injured Jimmy Husband, and has the chance to show his goal-front sharpness. He could be just the boy to take advantage of the half chances which crop up from rebounds and deflections when an attacking side hammers the ball into a packed goalmouth. I think we are going to see the Palace penalty area a busy place tomorrow. Everton have recovered from their early season dithers to approach something near their best from now. This will be a hard. Physical struggle, but Everton have a class to continue their climb in the table and put them in good heart for their trip to Iceland next week.

AWAY DAY SPECIALISTS CAN EARN £90 A WEEK WITHOUT KICKING A BALL
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 September 1970
By Mike Charters
CRYSTAL PALACIE, who reached the First Division last season for the first time in their history, only just survived for a second season, one point separating them from relegated Sheffield Wednesday. But, as they visit Goodison Park this afternoon,  they stand sixth in the table and have not lost away. What has caused this remarkable transformation?  Manager Bert Head sums it up in one word- " Experience." He told me: “We were finding our way last season in the First Division. Now we have settled down to the increased demands of the top class and the boys are more used to the pace and skill which they have to meet from the big clubs. 
Crop of Injuries
We weren't as bad last season as our record  would indicate.  We were going along reasonably well until we had a crop of injuries which kept several players out for weeks at a time. “We started the season with only 14 players in the first team squad. When we were hit by injuries, we did not have the strength in depth to cope with the emergency. "I had to throw in kid who were not ready for the First Division. The result was that we lost a  lot of points in a lengthy spell, and once that happens to you in the First Division, you can't recover. That is why we were struggling right to the end to stay up. “I was determined that we would not be faced with the same situation this season. So I spent a lot of money in the close season in buying Alan Birchenall and Bobby Tumbling, from Chelsea, Peter Wall, from Liverpool, and Gerry Humphreys from Everton.
Strengthened
“I sold a few as well and I was able to strengthen the first team squad.  It has paid off already, because I have had Birchenall and Tambling off injured so far, and also our midfield star Steve Kember, but we have been able to ride out the trouble. “Before losing at home to Spurs last Saturday, we had done really well and all the boys are doing a great job.”  I told Mr. Head of reports that Palace players were on tremendous cast incentives to succeed this season.  Did this have anything to do with their new efficiency and dedication?  He replied.  “There’s been a lot of nonsense written about our bonus scheme.  We are only comparable with other First Division clubs. 
"Last season, we operated an incentive scheme based on position in the table. Now we have changed it to match points ... but we aren't paying our players any more, or less, than most clubs in the top division."  The Palace scheme is: £4O a point, plus £10 appearance money. £10 squad money and £10 pool money on top of a basic £60 a week - making £90 a week before they've kicked a ball. One immediate effect of the new - look Palace has been in attendances.  They averaged above 30,000 last season, and they are well over that at present, thanks to the  manager's policy of buying the right sort of players and showing their customers that they are not afraid to spend player could get into the money to keep in the representative scene this First Division.
Ability
Wall, formerly of Wrexham and Liverpool, has slotted in quickly to a regular place at left back and is regarded as a great investment at £35,000. He is playing a key role in the Palace defensive scheme, which has only conceded five goals in nine games so far.  Mr. Head had to pay £140,000 to bring Birchenall and Tambling from Chelsea ... they are playing well enough to make the big deal very worthwhile. But the men who are attracting the attention at Palace these days are 21- years-old Steve Kember, a local boy, and the big Scot, Gerry Queen formerly with Kilmarnock. Mr. Head says, "Kember is the boy who operates in midfield and our tactical set-up revolves around him.  I think he is a certainty for an England Under-23 cap this season…he has so much ability.  “And I think the Scots should take a look at Queen-he deserves a cap.  He has scored four of our season, and is doing a fine job for us.”  One other Palace player could get into the representative scene this season as well.  Goalkeeper John Jackson, another London-born product, made a big impression in First Division circles last season, and was reserve for the Football league against the Irish league at Norwich this week. 
His manager said. "I rate Jackson one of the best two goalkeepers in country - Gordon Banks being No. 1 of course. If ever a player has earned national recognition, Jackson has." Palace played so soundly at Anfield earlier this season in a 1-1 draw t that Everton will have to be at their best to beat them to-day. With a goal average of 7-5 (and three - of those conceded last Saturday ), Palace - obviously have a very strong defensive technique… the goal Liverpool scored at Anfield was the only time Palace have conceded an away goal. They are away draw specialists, so Everton will have to pull some- thing extra out of the attacking bag to beat them.
GERRY WAS A BARGIN BUY
FORMER Everton and Welsh Under-23 winger Gerry Humphreys was a bargain buy at £15,000 by Crystal Palace manager Bert Head when he went on his £200,000 buying spree last close season.
Head says’ Gerry has not yet played in the League team because he has taken more time to settle to our pattern than some of the other new boys.  But he played in the League Cup tie against Rockdale and has been substitute several times.  He is a member of our first team squad and an important one as well.” 
Humphreys made 15 first team appearances for Everton since they signed him after his school days at Llandudno. He was unable to win a regular place because of the consistency of John Morrissey, but he won several Welsh Under-23 caps during his days as an Everton reserve. He is the son of the late Jack Humphreys, a playing colleague at Goodison of Everton manager Harry Catterick.

BLUES BACK IN CHAMPION FORM
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 September 1970
By Mike Charters

Line-ups;- Everton; Rankin; Wright, Newton; Kendall, Kenyon, Harvey; Whittle, Ball, Royle, Hurst, Morrissey, Subs Brown.  Crystal Palace; Jackson; Sewell, Wall; Payne, McCormick, Blyth; Taylor, Kember, Queen, Tambling, Scott.  Sub Hoadley.  Referee; Mr. G. Kew (Leeds). 
Crystal Palace defence, one of the best in the country, having only conceded five goals in nine games before to-day, took a pounding from a top form Everton.  With three goals in the first half, Everton had beaten their best scoring total in the League this season -two of them scored when they only had ten men as Kenyon was off the field having attention for a facial injury. Palace had the tall Blyth, marking Royle but the Everton centre forward beat him cleverly once to force a corner. At the first sign of an Everton attack Palace pulled everyone back except Queen. But they showed they could break quickly out of defence with Kember spreading the ball about neatly. Everton worked a good move from a free kick after Blyth had fouled Royle. The ball was worked quickly to the left where Morrissey tried a powerful shot but Blyth turned it away for a corner.
Good moves

The first direct shot came from Harvey –a good effort from 20 yards, which Jackson saved well. Jackson was fortunate to get away with it when he dropped a corner kick from Ball and then Wall made a splendid headed clearance as Ball's cross was going straight towards Whittle. From this clearance Rankin delighted the crowd with a magnificent save from Kember. The Everton goalkeeper came out to narrow the angle as Kember steadied himself for the shot, and turned it away for a corner. Everton were now moving well in attack and a good move between Bail and Kendall looked dangerous until Blyth headed away from Royle. Everton had tried to get a goal by working the ball closely, but when they did get one, at 24 minutes, it came from long range. It was a carbon copy of the goal Everton scored last season against Palace, down to the same players being involved in similar positions. Ball passed to Morrissey who controlled it brilliantly and when he saw Jackson had come off his line expecting an orthodox centre.  Morrissey hit a dipping centre behind the goalkeeper which Jackson finger-tipped on to the bar and down into the net. Everton looked a little fortunate when Scott beat Newton cleverly and took the ball unchallenged into the penalty area. Newton recovered, and in his challenge Scott fell as Rankin blocked the half hit shot with his legs as Palace appealed for a penalty. Royle tried a shot from a similar position from which Morrissey had scored, but the ball flashed across the goal-face with Whittle unable to get a touch. With attention focused on Rankin collecting a back pass from Kendall, it was impossible to see what had happened to Kenyon who went down in the middle of the field holding his face. The injury was serious enough to have him carried off on a stretcher after 34 minutes play.  Everton did not bring on substitute Brown and there was a moment' of uncertainty in the Everton defence when Tambling got his foot to a headed pass from Tailor but Rankin saved on the line. In these isolaled attacks Palace had shown a lot of thrust and drive Everton managed to increase their lead with a great goal from Harvey  after 33 minutes. Hurst’s clearance was collected by Royle who seemed to have lost possession as he was tackled just outside the area, but he got the ball to Ball who clipped it into the middle quickly for Harvey running in to volley at top speed past  Jackson.  There was another let-off for Everton as Palace pressed hard and deceptively. Kendall delayed his challenge thinking Kember was offside. The Palace forward wasn't but he mis-hit his shot straight at Rankin. In Palace's next attack, at 39 minutes, they reduced Everton's lead. A shot by Scott from 20 yards struck Newton as the full back tried to block it. Rankin had come out sensibly but Newton's deflection sent the ball high the goalkeeper's head and it bounced short of the line and into the net. Rankin had no chance. Three minutes later Everton were two goals in front once more in this remarkable spate of goals. Ball took a free kick and passed it into the middle to Royle who cleverly wheeled around Blyth and drove it into the corner of the net for a very well taken goal. This burst of three goals in nine minutes had the crowd buzzing.  Kendall had done a good job linking up with Hurst in the middle in Kenyon's absence and he turned the ball away from Tambling as the Palace forward was shaping to shoot.
Half time Everton 3, Palace 1.
Kenyon was back in action at the start of the second half. It looked as though he had taken a bang on the nose, but he headed the ball within seconds of the restart and seemed to be all right. Blyth dallied dangerously with a cross from Royle as Whittle moved in, but got away with it, and Everton were putting on a lot of pressure now with Wright firing a terrific shot across the face of goal. Royle was beating Blyth on the ground with impressive ease. He won a corner off him on one occasion and then fired a shot just wide from the edge of the area. Morrissey inspired by the brilliance of his first goal, was having an outstanding game and veteran Sewell could not contain him on the wing. Everton were playing as well as they have done all season at this stage. A perfect catch by Rankin from a corner kick set Everton off on the most thrilling move of the game. Rankin threw the ball out to Wright  who interchanged passes with Ball until finally Wright powered a shot straight at Jackson. Royle spoiled a brilliant run by chipping his centre out of range of Whittle. Whittle chased back for the ball, gave it to Morrissey who went through in delightful fashion but shot straight at Jackson.  Palace were having some fantastic escapes now as Everton played with skill and tremendous thrust. Harvey dribbled through but Jackson saved his shot and when the ball bounced out to Morrissey he took careful aim but Wall had recovered to turn the ball away for a corner. Everton's football was a delight. Morrissey seemed to be in everything and it took a great save from Jackson to prevent the winger creating set another scoring chance. Whittle was unlucky not to get into the scoring act when he made a brilliant run, swerved past Wall but with a great chance drove the ball into the side netting. Everton were so much on top that it was remarkable Palace were still only two goals in arrears. Official attedeance 43,463
THE VERDICT
EVERTON cracked the much-wanted Palace defenee with three first half goals of quality. And then they dominated the second half with some brilliant football and were unlucky not to increase their lead. Morrissey  had a magnificent game, with Ball and Harvey little behind him and although Palace tried hard they were not in the same attacking class as Everton.

LET’S HAVE SOCCER SCHOOLS TO END PUNCH-UPS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 September 1970
THE HARRY CATTERICK COLUMN
THERE is one positive step which could be taken to bring peace to soccer both at European and at-world level . . . the introduction of international soccer schools. Year after year, we have nasty incidents between British and Continental teams simply because THEIR style of playing the game is different from OURS. Chelsea and Arsenal have already run up against the question of differing interpretation of laws, and some years ago Everton ran into a spot of bother when we played a German side. The result is that today, every British manager warns his lads before they set foot on Europe to cut out some of the tackles which they use and go unpunished in our football. More important, they are warned NOT to retaliate even when an opponent commits the utmost provocation by spitting in his face.
Films
I have very firm views on this question of rows, and punch-ups in soccer. European football is a big money spinner—and some of the cash should be set aside for an International soccer school. Every country in Europe could send up to half a dozen of their best referees.  With then would be the mangers
and coaches of the teams together for a noncompeting in the European tourneys: and there could also be a selected band of players. At such a gathering, film shots could be shown spotlighting controversial incidents. In addition, players could be used to demonstrate all the fouls in the book. From this point, surely it could be laid down with authority just what is and what is not unfair play I was one of the many managers who feared the World Cup in Mexico might erupt into violence. But, by calling managers, coaches and referees together for a conference, this was averted. What is needed now is to set up a permanent school for soccer in cities like London, Paris,  Rome, Madrid and other European centres. The more we talk about this sort of thing, the better and the easier it will be to reach some standard of be haviour.
SPECIALISED
I don’t want to hurt anyone's feelings, everything British is not necessarily pure and lilywhite. We need to our own house in order before we start accusing the continentals of being the bad lads of the game. 
Week after week in English football, I see tackles which would have been countenanced in our game even a decade ago. Also, people seem to think spitting at an opponent is strictly a to Latin pastime. Not true. Even when I played, you had these villains who would wait until the play was at the far end of the field before spitting in your face. Any man who spits at an opponent should be sent off.  It is as big a “crime” as the man who comes over the top.  Both fouls are calculated to cause retaliation and possibly a riot. So let's start the ball rolling and put aside a percentage of the profits from European soccer set up these schools where players, managers, coaches and the referees can, between them, clean up the game and lay down a set of rules which can't be "bent." Only in this way are we likely to move towards that elusive Eldorado where there will be a standardized interpretation of football behavior. I was interested to hear of the school for goalkeepers run by Bert Williams, the former Wolves and England 'keeper. There can be no question that this is a pattern of the future. Footballers do need specialized coaching for every position. I can foresee a time when some big businessman will set up a soccer centre at which there will be top coaches for goalkeepers; defenders, midfield players, the ball players and the fellows we now call front runners, who are expected to score goals.
Hugh profit
Most of the big clubs, such as Manchester United, Everton, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal, have a youth development policy because they can afford it. But other English clubs —and there are a lot of them—cannot afford this type of specialized coaching. They now have to search frantically when they need a position strengthened. I believe soccer schools could supply that need. A soccer school could get these lads at an early age and develop them with skilled coaching so that when a Second, Third or Fourth Division club came along, say for a full back. They - would have a group of 18-year- olds ready to slip into League Soccer.  Let’s face it, I know of no other business where there is such a dramatic capital appreciation than the development of young footballers. Take Everton. There are at least four teenagers on my staff who came to us for nothing. In a few years they will be worth not less than £100,000 apiece if we were prepared to sell them. There are mam other lads who could be taken as boys to a soccer school and by top class coaching, he worth £20,000 to £50,000 in a few years’ time.

FOUR UP-BUT EVERTON ARE TRAINING HARD
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 September 1970 
WITH a four-goal lead from their first leg, Everton go to Iceland next week for the European Cup return against Keflavik with everybody anticipating the game being little more than a formality. Everybody, that is, except manager Harry Catterick. He said: "We will face this match with the same detailed preparation and planning as for a League game against the toughest of opposition. “The fact that we have a four-goal start under our belts means nothing to me. What has to be remembered is that Keflavik scored twice against us at Goodison…that is the important factor in my view of next Wednesday “I shall have all the first team squad in for training on Monday-we'll do a hard stint that day—and also more training on Tuesday morning before we fly to Iceland. " I'm hoping there will be facilities in Reykjavik for us to have some sort of pipe-opener on Wednesday morning as well “The kick-off is late afternoon, so there will be adequate time for the boys to have a warm-up during the morning. We'll be prepared to the last detail “The Everton party flies out from Liverpool Airport on Tuesday afternoon, returning immediately after the game to give them as much time as possible to treat injuries and get themselves organized for the League match at Coventry a week to-day. Mr. Catterick will take 16 players, five of whom will be substitutes under European Cup rules—two may be used at any time in the game. He will not name his party until he sees how knocks and injuries from today's match have cleared during the training sessions early next week.
POLICE SAVED THE DAY
EVERTON needed a police escort to help them on their way to Blackpool last week . . and it got them to the ground in plenty of time. A combination of a fine day, congestion on the M6, week-end traffic heading for the Blackpool illuminations and the match traffic from Liverpool created traffic-chaos around the Preston bottleneck. While the players were having lunch near Wigan, manager Harry Catterick had coach driver Ernie Horrigan in urgent touch with the police after they had learned of the congestion. A police car met the coach while it was held up in nose-to-tail traffic near Preston and guided them out of the worst of the traffic.

EVERTON HAVE CALLED ON 15 PLAYERS ALREADY
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton manager Harry Catterick called on 16 players last season to win the League championship and one of them winger Gerry Humphreys, now with Crystal Palace only played once. But with a quarter of this season gone, he has used 15 members of his first team pool already.  He has dropped former skipper Brian Lability., Gordon West and Alan Whittle, and brought in Sandy Brown, when Colin Harvey was injured - the only enforced change.  This is in keeping with his pre-season warning that the strength of his first team squad would enable him to make changes and switches…and the hint was that he was prepared to do it even from match to match. Members of the senior squad who have not played in the League side this season are defender Frank Darry and midfield player Tommy Jackson. They have been included in parties to travel, and Darcy has been substitute for one game Brown had a great reception hum the big Everton contingent of fans at Blackpool last Saturday when he substituted for the Injured Jimmy Husband on the right wing…he stands very high in the popularity ratings among Everton supports.  Mr. Catterick did not order any switch of positions to allow Brown to play in his best position at the back, but the versatile Sandy was thrust into the front running spot on the wing.  He did well, even though he would be the first to admit that the pace on the flanks is not his forte.  But he chased a pass from Alan Ball to create one chance from which Howard Kendall was unlucky not to score…and he made a few more openings.

LOYAL WEST DESERVES APOLGY FROM THE FANS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 September 1970
AS AN Everton supporter, I write to protest against the treatment given to Gordon West by some fans. The main culprits are the Gwladys Street enders. As this is the end where the most loyal and partisan Everton supporters gather, it makes matters most disturbing. The barracking of West in the Keflavik game was unforgiveable. West has given Everton more than eight years' loyal service. He has saved Everton many times, with brave and brilliant saves. I think he plays his heart out for Everton. He dislikes losing, and gives of his best for 90 minutes. He may be a bit off form, but he is not the only one. When Rankin came on the field for the start of the Blackpool game, he received a rousing reception from the Everton following. Had West received cheers, instead of Jeers, I am sure he would have responded, and played well. The only way the Gwladys Street fans can apologise to West is for them to sing. “For He's A Jolly Good Fellow !" when he returns. How about it, you Everton Fans'—T. 0. Kenney, Pentre Estate, Mold. Flintshire.
Barracking doesn't help a player—there can be no dispute about that.
FANS PAY WAGES
LAST Saturday, a Mr. Coady expressed his disgust at the Evertonian's barracking of Gordon West. Perhaps he fails to see these fans pay the players' wages, and so they should have their say. Mr. Catterick was wrong, in hitting out at the fans, as they also pay his wages. Without fans, there would be no Everton. If West was playing as poorly as Mr. Catterick stated, he could have been retrieving his confidence in the reserves. Mr. Catterick expects good sportsmanship from Everton fans, but how can he obtain it, when his players don't show it on the field ? West's gesture to the crowd was not the first time an Everton player has shown this disability. Come on, Harry, get your own shop in order, before criticizing others. —D. T. Beard. Round Hay, Cantril Farm, Knowsley.
Harry Catterick was slating facts. And another fact is that an ounce of encouragement is north a ton of barracking.
JEERS NOT ANSWER
AS AN exiled Everton supporter, I must protest at the treatment accorded Gordon West by the so called sporting fraternity at Goodison Park. I would not hold West blameless for the two goals conceded against Keflavik, but I don't believe he received the support he was entitled to expect, from the men in front. Even if a player is going through a bad patch, give the lad a chance Jeers and catcalls are not the answer. Fans have short memories. West is still the best 'keeper Everton have had since Ted Sagar. Come on. You self-acknowledged experts give the lad a chance—cheers, not jeers.  None of us is perfect-least of all, football supporters.- A Davies, 3 Shakespeare Street, Coventry. 
football supporters. A. Davies, 3 Shakespeare Street. Coventry.
HEAD CASES
PLEASE print this, for the benefit of those head cases at the Gwladys Street end I say to them: lay off Gordon West, and stop this stupid barracking of a great goalkeeper.  There were other players who made mistakes, but West has to carry the can Let us hear, "Gordon- Gordon:" loud and clear a tribute to a great goalkeeper—J. Taylor. 72 Walton Lane, Liver- pool 4.
UNFAIRLY BLAMED
OVER the years, we have read of Harry Catterick as being a man who knows his mind and refuses to be dissuaded from his beliefs. This makes it hard to understand his dropping of Gordon West, thus conceding defeat to the Gwladys Street supporters. - West has been unfairly blamed for nearly all the goals conceded by Everton this season. There have been alarming errors by other members of Everton's defence but, so far, the fans have not started to persecute any other player. Who will be the next whipping boy, after West?
POOR DISPLAYS
GORDON WEST should have been dropped weeks ago. His poor displays In the League, and against Keflavik, put it on the cards that he would be axed. With Rankin's safe handling of the ball at Blackpool, I cannot see West regaining his place for a long time.—A. Hughes, 63 Langbam Street, Liverpool 4.
If Rankin keeps his place, it will be on merit.

KENNY ON TRAGET AT BURY
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 September 1970
Everton were the smarter combination against an inexperienced home side.  They went into a deserved lead after 25 minutes when from a cross by Jones, Melledew headed the ball down for Kenny to score from a narrow angle.  Kenny, however, did increase the lead after 29 minutes when he raced in to meet a centre from Jones.  Six minutes later another run by Jones led to the third goal, Melledew turning the ball in from the winger’s short centre.  Five minutes from the interval Everton were awarded a penalty when a defender handled, but Jackson’s spot kick was saved by Foresst.  Half-time; Bury Res 0, Everton Res 3. Bury Reserves; Forrest; Winrow, Dougherty; Gisbourne, Noble, Greenin; Williams, Rudd, Fenna, Cassel, Grundy, Sub Egan.  Everton Reserves; West; Westburgh, Style; Darcy, Lyons, Jackson; Kenny, Wilson, Melledew, Seargeant, Jones. Sub Smiles.  Referee; Mr. R.N. Perkin (Littleworth). 

GROIN INURY SO BALL MAY MISS TRIP TO ICELAND
Liverpool Echo - Monday 28 September 1970
By Mike Charters
Everton captain Alan Ball, so keen to lead his team to European Cup glory this season, could miss their first trip along the road which he hopes will end at Wembley next May. Ball, who scored three goals in Everton's 6-2 first leg win against the Icelandic champions Keflavik 12 days ago, may have to wait at home while his team-mates set out to clinch the tie on Wednesday in Iceland. Ball has been playing with a niggling groin strain for some time, and was limping noticeably when he came off 10 minutes from the end of the game against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Manager Harry Catterick pulled him off as a precautionary measure to avoid further strain, and now Ball faces training tests on his fitness at Bellefield before Everton set off for Iceland tomorrow afternoon. Also having tests will be winger Jimmy Husband who did not play on Saturday because of a strained knee muscle. Centre-half Roger Kenyon another casualty from the Palace match had to have three stitches inserted in a cut by the side of his right eye. But he played throughout the second half without apparent discomfort and there should be no doubt about him playing against Keflavik. If Ball cannot play, it looks as though wing half Tommy Jackson could be in line for his first European game.
Club suspend Pickering
Blackpool have suspended their former England centre forward Fred Pickering for two weeks for a breach of club discipline. Last week, Blackpool put Pickering, a £45,000 buy from Birmingham 15 months ago, on the transfer list with two other players.

PALACE PAY TRIBUTE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 28 September 1970
By Mike Charters
September has been a month of splendour for Everton. They have soared from 17th to 8th place with a run of four successive victories until now they are level with Liverpool on points but with on inferior goal average. And their form against Crystal Palace on Saturday, when their 3-1 win flattered Palace beyond belief, was so brilliant that they could extend their victory sequence for the next month as well' Palace manager Bert Head paid due tribute to Everton's quality when he said afterwards: " Everton should be far higher in the table than they are. They played so well in the second half that they reduced us to our worst display of the season.
Second rate
Palace had a splendid record before Saturday, only conceding one goal in four away games. But Everton's skill and thrust made them look second rate and Palace were very lucky to escape a thrashing. Morrissey, Harvey and Royle scored fine goals in the first half, with Scott sneaking something of a fortunate one in return when his shot spun off Newton over Rankin's head. Apart from a shot by Kember, superbly saved by Rankin, Palace were reduced to a defensive stint by Everton's brilliant attacking play. Morrissey led the way with one of his finest displays, reducing veteran Sewell to a shadow long before the end. Ball, Harvey and Royle were also in their brightest form, Royle turned in his best show of the season, beating Blyth with skill on the ground, and providing subtle touches for Whittle, who could have scored four in the last half hour after a quiet first half.
Good saves
Jackson made a number of good second half saves from Royle, Morrissey and Harvey, and Everton so outclassed Palace in the second half that the only criticism can be that they did not boost their goals tally. But no one could complain about the rest of their play. From the confident, sure handling of Rankin in goal, the team moved with a rhythm and purpose which was as fine as anything they produced in their championship season. They are back at their best and if they can steer clear of injuries they will be up there challenging the leaders before long despite their poor start to the season. Kenyon had to have three stitches inserted in a cut near his right eye. He showed his courage by returning for the second half, and played splendidly with Hurst in halting the few Palace attacks before Rankin could be tested. Midfield command Wright and Newton controlled their wings with a sureness of touch which helped to start many Everton attacks, and the midfield command was all Everton's with Ball. Harvey and Kendall well on top once they had survived a brief spell of Palace pressure in the first half. Palace defended well, and moved brightly into attack, with Kember doing a lot of good work, at that time. But after Morissey's 24th minute goal, Palace seemed to lose all attacking heart. They came prepared to defend, and although they did so with ten men, they could not contain an Everton attack which played with such flair and drive. There were times when the teams looked divisions apart…yet Palace could have a good season. But they were no match for Everton, who should now take their European Cup tie on Wednesday in their stride and go on to tackle Coventry on Saturday with all the confidence in the world.
MONDAY MAN…
Everton winger John Morrissey has not had a poor game an season. But against Crystal Palace on Saturday, he gave a display which will stand out in the memory of alt who saw it. He was the complete winger—clever, trustful, intelligent, plus finishing well. His first goal was a gem of quick thinking and opportunism, and it set Everton off to a brilliant and dominating performance. The much under-rated Morrissey has played a vital part in Everton's revival after their poor start. On this form, he must be one of the most effective winger's in the country.

MAGYARS PLAN SECRET SHOCK TACTICS
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 29 September 1970
IT’S EVERTON V. OLAFFSON-ROUND TWO!
GOALS GALORE IS CATTERICK HOPE
By Mike Charters
Everton come up against that Goodison hero, 19-years old Thorsteinn Olafsson, the Keflavik goalkeeper, once more when they set out to increase the four goal lead they have established in the first leg of the European Cu p tie against the Icelandic champions. I'm sure that Everton not completely satisfied with the merit of their 6- 2 win over the Keflavik amateurs a fortnight ago, will go all out for more goals when they meet in the second leg at the Reykjavik Municipal Stadium to-morrow night. Even taking into account the brilliance of Olafsson on that incident packed night at Goodison, Everton missed many chances of running up double figures. Their aim to-morrow will be to show just how wide the gulf is between the happy -go-lucky approach of the Icelandic boys and the professional dedication of English champions. Everton manager Harry Catterick will instruct his team to attack. He said, before the first I "if we have a chance of scoring 50 goals, we intend to do so." He will insist on that policy being continued. Keflavik were gasping for relief as Everton ruthlessly rammed home six goals in the last 50 minutes of the game at Goodison. The amateurs were run off their feet long before the end, and it is to their eternal credit that they managed to keep the deficit down to four . . . thanks to the superb display of Olafsson. Officials of the Keflavik club told me when they were in Liverpool that they were hoping Everton would turn on an exhibition for the Icelandic fans, for whom a visit from the English champions is a red-letter occasion. They switched the game from their small ground to the best ground in Iceland at Reykjavik to encourage football followers in the capital to see the match. So I hope Everton can turn on their skill and show a high level of entertaining, attacking football to delight the locals. Priority for Everton is to make sure of winning the tie, of course. But with a four goal advantage already, they should be able to tackle the game in a spirit of adventure and give the Iceland fans a treat. Everton captain, Alan Ball, had a fitness test this morning and has recovered well enough from his groin strain to be included in the party. But he is not 100 per cent fit and the decision on whether he plays will not be made until tomorrow, when the players will have a brief warm-up in Reykjavik, several hours before the kick-off.
Labone chosen
Brian Labone will be making his 18th European appearance when he comes in for Roger Kenyon, who had three stitches inserted in a cut near his right eye during Saturday's game against Crystal Palace. Kenyon could have played if necessary but Mr. Catterick thought he would benefit by staying at home. Alan Whittle continues on the right wing with Jimmy Husband still feeling pain from his strained hamstring muscle. There is no real pressure on Everton tomorrow so team changes can be made without any undue worry. Mr. Catterick has decided to give 18-years-old goalkeeper Keith Williams his first trip with the seniors and the Kirkby boy will have something to remember with it being a European occasion. Williams has been impressing the Everton coaches with his form in the A team, and occasional match with the Central League side. He played for Kirkby and Lancashire Boys before joining Everton from school, and will be substitute to Andy Rankin to-morrow. The Everton team flew out of Liverpool Airport this afternoon in a chartered BAC 1-11 for the 1 ¾ -hour flight to Keflavik Airport. Everton; Rankin; Wright, Newton; Kendall, Labone, Harvey; Whittle, Ball or Jackson, Royle, Hurst, Morrissey, Subs; (from) Williams, Brown, Darcy, Jones. 

GORDON WEST EXCLUSIVE
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 29 September 1970
BATTLE OF NERVES
I’ve had to battle of with my temperament before during my football career.  Now I appreciate that I will have to snap out of the current problems, as other players have done- a decision as big as the one I made about 18 months ago.  That was when I wrote to England team manager Sir Alf Ramsey to ask him to forget about me when it came to naming his squad for the World Cup in Mexico.  Temperament played a major part in that-it, is all in my make-up, just as the incidents this season have played their part.  I opted out of the chance of more England caps to add to my home life too much.  I could not help it.  That’s how I am made.  When I realized that the England boys would be away from home for something like ten weeks, it was much too much.  That’s a long time if you get homesick.  Over the past few seasons, I have battled with my nerves.  Before a game I have been almost physically sick as the tension mounted inside me.  If we’ve won, I’ve felt great at the end.  If we’ve lost I’ve blamed myself and slunk off as soon as I’ve bathed and changed.  So I hope Everton fans will appreciate what my feelings have been like this season, particularly, after the Keflavik match.  I honestly felt that in the past year or so I had won that battle with my nerves.  I’ve managed to convince myself that I’m not always the one who must be faulted for a goal scored against me.  I have learned to take matches as they come.
Grateful
But the season still takes its toll.  Once football is over, I need the break to wind down and in a way that is what our manager, Harry Catterick, enabled me to do after the mistakes I made in the Keflavik match, I was able to wind down by his decision to rest me; he gave me time to sort things out.  I did not give up the chance of Mexico without much thought. I consulted the boss about it and was grateful for his advice. So his sympathetic approach to what has happened in the last few weeks has helped me to make this other decision that I must snap out of it. Football drains me physically and mentally. I am so different in this respect from our skipper, Alan Ball. He thrives on football—any time. He never seems to tire of the game and it doesn't seem to worry him when he is called on to play thousands of miles from home—just so long as he's being asked to play football.
Encouragement
But that's not me. I'm not made that way. I really believed I hid mastered my temperament and nerves, but I think it was the accumulation of incidents which came to a head in our game against Keflavik. Now I must win that battle over temperament again. I must realize that barracking of players has always been a part of the game that you have to learn to live with it, to conquer it and ignore it. Other players have done it… have to do the same. In my worries over the past few weeks, I’ve been helped by the encouragement of my team mates. I’m known as the joker in the pack at Bellefield. I get a big kick out of cracking the jokes and leading the horse-play which is part and parcel of training sessions-at times!
We have a great bunch of boys at Everton and I’ve been very grateful for their support in the last few days.  They know that a goalkeeper’s mistakes can be so vital that, being professionals themselves, they’re fully aware that the goalkeeper is there to be shot at.  If an outfield player makes a mistake, usually there’s a team-mate to cover and remedy that error.  A goalkeeper cannot rely on than, except at those times when a colleague clears off the line.  The whole basis of the game is players who fit into the team pattern to reproduce an overall efficiently.  Mistakes must be made, but if the team work is working well, they can be compensated for.  A goalkeeper realizes that if he makes a mistakes, it can gift a goal to the opposition.  I’ve always appreciated this, of course, and tried over the years to realise that I’ll make mistakes during a season and hope that I compensate for them by pulling something extra out of the bag when I might have been expected to be beaten.  But the ball was not running for us early this season, and that is something I think fans don't always allow for. Every team needs that little bit of luck, the run of the ball, but in those early games, we had a run of incidents which normally we would take in our stride. 
Letters
This season, however, the bad luck lingered…and it seemed to centre over me.  I’m not complaining, just stating a fact, and it's up to me now to take the rough with the smooth. What pleases me in all this is that the team is now starting to play like champions…we're really starting to tick again. Of course, there are a lot of supporters who do make allowances for the luck of the game; the way the ball bounces for you.  I’ve had a lot of letters from fans recently and I’d like to tell you about one of the nicer things which happened to me and did a great deal to help me.  An Everton supporter wrote to say;
“I would like to apologies on behalf of all Everton supporters, for the ridiculous and uncalled-for barracking extended to you, especially against Keflavik." And this fan added: "Those who did contribute to that charade are not the supporters of Everton ... I was trying to urge them to stop—but in vain.
'Great'
"I hope that I can call myself a TRUE Everton supporter ...” I know it is just about impossible for you to ignore them, hope you can do it, for your own sake. If these yobbos see that it is not affecting you, they will stop. “I read that you are not playing—perhaps a rest will do you good, goal to the opposition 'otters from and give you your confidence back. You are a great goalkeeper—and I don't use that world liberally. 
"You have saved Everton from disaster on hundreds of occasions, but people tend to remember only the errors—a human failing, I suppose. “But forgive them, if you can, and get right back between those sticks in the first team, and just show them what a great goalkeeper is. "Go to it. Gordon— and long may you reign!”  Well, what can you say, when someone writes to you like that? I know my reaction…I’m determined to do exactly as that fan says, and show em.  Once before, I had to beat my so-called temperament, as I shall tell you tomorrow.  But If I could do it once, I can do it again.  And I will.  So to all those true Everton supporters who have wished me well, I say…thank you, I am grateful for your support.  I’ll be back- and in top form. 

GAME MAY BE OFF-BUT REYKJAVIK REVELLERS   WRECK BLUES’ BED-TIME
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 30 September 1970
By Mike Charters
EVERTON'S European Cup-tie against Keflavik in Reykjavik to-night looked likely to be postponed for 24 hours after the referee inspected the waterlogged pitch this morning. The pitch was described by the Stadium director, Baldur Johnson, as being in its worst condition since it was opened 13 years ago. Heavy rain over the put three weeks had left the pitch in what Everton manager Harry Catterick described as “a very dangerous condition." When the Everton players went to the Reykjavik Stadium this morning for a brief work out, they found the ground staff trying to remove the surface water by throwing tons of black lava dust on to the worst of the pools. This left an ugly black paste over large areas of the ground which would be dangerous if a player fell. The grit would cause severe abrasions. It is this which caused Mr. Catterick most concern. He told me: “You can send out 22 players in almost any sort of playing conditions--but that does not mean they can play football in them. " I am worried about Everton players worth hundreds of thousands of pounds having to play on It. I doubt if the match can be played today." The referee is Mr. Malcolm Wright, of Portadown, Northern Ireland. After his pitch inspection this morning he ordered the Stadium staff to try to absorb the surface water by using sacks. He decided - to make another inspection three hours before the scheduled kick off this evening. But he told me: "At this stage I think it is doubtful that the pitch can be made playable in time. Under E.U.F.A. rules I am empowered to postpone the game for 24 hours. If the pitch is still unplayable it is up to the E.U.F.A. to make the next decision about when the match should be played." The main problem is that the pitch is so bad that it would be remarkable in my view if it will be playable even by tomorrow. Everton must then return home in time for their League game at Coventry on Saturday —and then the arguments would start about when and if this European Cup tie will be played. The Icelandic winter is near and the weather conditions could become even worse in just a week's time. Singing and shouting Icelandic football fans disturbed the Everton players in their Reykjavik hotel in the early hours of this morning. Half a dozen youngsters drove up to the hotel in a van at 5 a.m. and shattered the silence of this small town by blowing the van horn, singing, shouting and playing a banjo which sounded so loud it seemed to be switched into an amplifier. They created a fearful din for several minutes before the hotel staff hurried out and ordered them away—still singing and shouting. Most of the hotel residents were awakened. Several Everton players told me later that they had been disturbed and were unable to get back to sleep before they had their breakfast several hours later.
YOUNG BLUES HARD GAME
game Everton did well to beat Manchester United 1-0 at Goodison last night in the first round of the Lancashire Senior Cup and had their own defenders to thank for It. Mick Lyons playing at centre half had a grand game while full back Arthur Styles produced the goal at 54 minutes. United threw everything into getting the equaliser but the home defense , occasionally using the kick-it-anywhere technique managed to hold out for victory.

LOSING –BUT I DIDN’T WANT US TO SCORE!
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 30 September 1970
Gordon West Echo Exclusive
QUOTE- I was half inclined to quit the game.  For me professional football had gone beyond the bounds of enjoyment.  The pressure and the strains were almost unbearable
ONE way and another, quite a bit has been made out of that famous temperament of mine. Temperament? Nerves? – It’s quite true . . . you name it, I suffered from it. And I can pinpoint the moment when I faced up to the truth of the matter. Let me tell you what football really used to do to me, just before and during the game itself.  Believe me, every game was, an ordeal, so far as I was concerned. My stomach would be tied up in knots before I went out on the park; and if I let through even one goal. I used to torture myself, whether that goal had been my fault or not. I would go home after the match worrying about the one that had got past me. I found that my sleep was being disturbed, that I was having nightmares about letting goals through. There came a time, not so long ago, when I was half-inclined to quit the game I had been so determined to make my career, as a schoolboy. For me, professional football had gone beyond the bounds of enjoyment. The pressures and the strains were almost unbearable. Temperament
It’s one thing to play a game of football, and enjoy it, regardless of the result: it's another to go through life worrying about the effect defeat is likely to have on the fortunes of your team. There was a time when I could be talked into a mistake—literally.  It was all a question of nerves and temperament, but it was very real, believe me.  This sort of thing happens all the time— it’s one of the occupational hazards facing all goalkeepers. You're waiting to go up for a corner, and a forward comes in and tells you: " You're going to miss the ball”' or “You’re going to drop it." And I used to find myself wondering if he was right. Straight away, of course, my concentration on the job in hand had been broken. Sometimes I did miss the ball; sometimes I didn't catch it cleanly. And sometimes A would lead to a goal. Then I'd be in a flaming temper with myself. And if I had the ball, and an attacker came boring in, I'd find myself shouting the odds, calling the referee's attention to what I considered had been a flagrant violation of neutrality—with myself as the neutral who had been hurt.  Instead of getting all het up, of course, I should have been getting the ball cleared from the danger area, and leaving the inquest until later.  Sometimes I would see a team mate fouled.  So I had to get in and I would end up racing round the 18-yard box, querying a referee's decision and generally doing myself and my team mate no good at all.  But I was worst when we lost a game-especially if I felt that I had let through a goal which I might have saved. I remember the F.A. Cup Final against Sheffield Wednesday, who went into a 2-0 lead. My mind wasn't focused on our chances of a fight back and a final victory. I was too busy considering what would happen if we did manage to score a goal. I thought: “DONT let our forwards score...." You know why? - Because I felt that if Everton pulled back a goal, and we finished the losers by two goals to one. I would get the blame for the second which had gone past me. How cock-eyed can your thinking be?  Before the final, I had spent a sleepless night, dozing fitfully. And when I did doze, I dreamed—of having to save a penalty at the last minute, just as Everton looked to have the game won. On the day itself, things turned out so differently, for when we were two goals down. I couldn't for the life of me see how we were going to pull back such a deficit. My nerves felt shot to pieces, as I surveyed the scene. Wednesday were playing some fine football, and we just couldn't seem to get going Everton supporters were chanting Pickering! Pickering." and I wondered what our manager was thinking as he sat and sweated this one out.
Odd goal defeat
The fans might be clamouring for Fred Pickering, now that we were two goals down, but I knew I would be blaming myself for letting that second goal through, and putting us in such a hopeless position. Then we scored—and scored again. The whole picture changed. And Just when it seemed like extra time was on the cards. Derek Temple rapped in the winner for us. And it was all over. Strangely, I felt much better when we LOST to West Brom in the final soon afterwards. This time, there were players who were almost in tears, so great was their disappointment at losing by the only goal of the game, so late on. But for once, my nerves had vanished. Certainly I didn't feel happy about having lost, but I did feel proud about the show we had put up. And I urged the lads who were most despondent. “Come on, now—let's lap the track and show them we can take defeat." I don't know what I would have done, had we lost that final against Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley.  Probably shot myself I imagine.
40-yard dash
For at that time. I used to torture myself, if we lost just a League match, never mind an FA. Cup final. I have gone home and literally shed tears after a match, blaming myself for the goal that beat us.  I really did get into a flap, on the field of play, at times.  There was one occasion when we were playing Liverpool in a Derby game, and Ian St John tangled with one of my team-mates.  I was in such a nervous state that I raced fully 40 cards to give Ian a talking to!  And the Anfield crowd doesn't forget me, to this day, when we play Liverpool.  When I go towards the goal at the Kop end, I get the two-finger salute from thousands of fans gathered there.  Once it used to upset me, now, I register amazement, look behind me to see if someone else is the object of their attention, then turn back to the crowd and grimace. "Who? Me?" as if I can't believe it. It's good for a laugh, and it eases any tension.  It's all part of the act, all part of the game. But sometimes you can get the sort of treatment which isn't so funny. The week before we played Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley, I was awakened about 12.30 in the morning by the ringing of the telephone. I was half-asleep, as I answered, and a voice just said: "Mr. West? This is the police.”
Hoax call
Then the phone went dead. Next morning, when I got to the ground. I mentioned the incident to Derek Temple, who asked: " What time did you get that call?" When I told him, he revealed that he had received a phone call about 10 minutes later —only his had not been quite so ambiguous. The caller had told Derek: Your mother is seriously ill—you'd better get round there straight away." And Derek rushed from his home in Ormskirk to his mother's house at Huyton—no joke at that time in the morning—only to find that everything there was all right. I once got a letter which warned me that I was going to be shot, when I left Goodison after a game the following afternoon. 1 showed it to club officials, who passed it on to the police. They said they thought it was a hoax. and later told me they had picked up someone who admitted having written it, for a joke.
Hurtful jibes
Jibes from the fans could hurt, too, at times. We went to play Sunderland, at Roker Park, and we lost. 3-1. I felt pretty badly about that, because I blamed myself for two of the goals. On the way back, we stopped for a meal at Scotch Corner, and I was standing next to Brian Labone, moaning about my display. He was telling me to stop worrying. Then up walked an Everton supporter. To this day I don't really know it he realised who was with Brian, or if he knew and didn't let on. I like to think it was the former. But he walked straight up to Brian, and said: You know, there's only one thing Everton are short of now—and that's a…good goalkeeper.  Then he stalked off, leaving me feeling worse than ever. Looking back I must have been an interesting case for a psychiatrist, because my nerves really used to get the better of me.  To such an extent that If I played badly in a game at a particular ground. I'd walk off thinking: 'And I've got to come back and play here again next year...' It really bothered me, such a thought. 
Frightened
When I as clutching the ball, ready to throw it out to a team-mate, or kick it up field, and an opposing forward came running in shouting “Come on, boy, drop that ball!'' my nerves began to get the better of me really became frightened of dropping the ball—and I just couldn't concentrate on clearing the ball properly . The same thing applied at a corner, if an opponent said to me, out of the corner of his mouth ' This is it—it's going to be a goal! Id one eye on the ball, one eye on the opponent. . and half my mind on whether or not I was going to let in a soft one. I feel sure that opposing teams played on my nervous reaction, too, because it seemed to me that everyone was trying to get into the act and niggle me, at one time. “Get West ruffled-and you'll get a penalty or a goal…that seemed to be the tactic. And then, one day, came the moment of truth. The day when it all happened. And finally, I sat down and thought the whole thing out.  We were playing at Newcastle, and there were only five minutes to go. The ball came across and I plucked it from the air ... just as Newcastle forward Albert Bennett came racing in to challenge me. I forgot about the ball, and took the man. The result: the referee gave a penalty to Newcastle, and we lost 1-0.  On the way back in the team coach, I sat alone, hugging my thoughts to myself, as I hunched up in a corner and my thoughts were almost suicidal.  It took us five or six hours to get back to Liverpool, and during the whole of that time pondered upon the incident which had happened towards the end of the game.
Long walk
For not only had I given away a needless penalty; I had ended up by getting marching orders, for the first time in my life. And, believe me, that walk to the dressing room seemed like 10 miles. It was the longest and the loneliest walk I' e ever taken in the whole of my life. As I sat brooding on the coach, I had half made up my mind to quit professional football, to pack the whole thing in. Then I began to make a new resolve.  If I were to keep on being subjected to such excitable, nervous reaction. I might as well call it a day—l was no use to myself or to my club.  But the answer, I realized, lay in accepting that I would get some stick from forwards-every goalkeeper did. In accepting that there would be incidents which would rile me. But also in accepting that I must keep my temper and my temperament firmly under control. I resolved to try and play it cool.  And that's what he resolved to do now, after my problem, this season. I'm in the reserve team and I aim to play my way out of my troubles. I mean to play my way back to a first team place again.