Decline and Fall

Thank you for another most interesting article.

It was hard to believe at the time how such a great team could decline so quickly, yet it was clear even then that a number of poor decisions by Harry Catterick were at the heart of it all; a very sad period in our history.

Another well put-together piece and your footnote sums up my view.

But, if we glory in the Lord Mayor's Show that was the late 60s, we have to wallow in the shit that came after.

Poor signings, failed signings, poor decisions, Injuries, ill-health, poor appointments, failed appointments, eg, Robson and/or Clough... and I wouldn't have wanted that cowardly cheat Revie anyway.

Events! if it wasn't for those pesky Events, we'd have got away with it. It's been said before on here 'We don't do Dynasties'.

Everton That.

Having supported the club for about 2 years by that point, I thought of us as the biggest club in the land, since no-one else had more league titles and we had the best history and that peerless cathedral of a ground.

So I have always wondered ever since, as many have, why the dramatic decline in the early 70s??

I am sure you are right, Alasdair, that it was actually a complex nexus of reasons, not just one big one. Thanks for enlightening us all finally, so many years later!

The week we went out of the European Cup and lost to the RS at Old Trafford was the week football changed on Merseyside. Only the mid-80s team gave us a breather from their gloating. I keep waiting for their week of hell but it never happens.

My misfortune was to start going to Goodison in season 72-73. A bit like meeting Charlize Theron who tells you to meet her in her hotel room, only to find when you get there that she's decided to become a nun!

Interesting that you mention the week of our European exit and semi-final defeat by the other crowd. Dad has always said (with the benefit of hindsight, I would guess) that you felt something changed that week.

If he's right, It could be argued It was a change that would impact on us for years... decades!

I'm also trying to remember when one of Ball's kids was born, as I remember him crossing the pitch from the car park not 20 minutes before the start of a game after having been sat with his wife all night – something of which Harry took a very dim view, regardless of the reason.

1968-69, we played the best football I've watched live (with the possible exception of Hungary v Brazil in 1966). 1969-70 was similar but with more "bite" and ruthlessness.

1970-71... bad feeling at the opening game. The new Goodison Road stand half-built and us losing a lead. Then, the rest of the season! If we hadn't have had bad luck, we wouldn't have had any at all.

1971-72 and onwards. We'd had the sublime... we were well on the way to the ridiculous. Selling Ball, swapping Johnson for Belfitt. Joe Harper, "Tiger" McLoughlin, Henry Newton.

Culminating in 1974-75. Workmanlike team that could have been Champions. Beaten home and away by Carlisle... One of the very few teams in all the divisions that has a 100% record against us.

Lear? Hamlet? The Scottish Play? Nah... give me Everton 1970-75.

My first full season, as a 10-year-old, was 1965-66. Boyhood then was consumed by footy, playing or watching, and my first few seasons were full of great memories, and obviously some bad ones such as losing to West Brom in the FA Cup Final 1968, and the following year to Tommy Booth's last-minute winner in the semi at Villa Park.

But that day losing to Liverpool at Old Trafford felt ominous, even there and then. As I recall, Brian Labone was injured about 10 minutes before half-time and Joe Royle did drop back to defend to help get us to the break leading 1-0. Brian reappeared for the 2nd half but only lasted a few minutes before he had to be substituted by Sandy Brown. Even as a 15-year-old I remember thinking Joe should remain at centre half and Sandy go up front.

The almost 50 years since, apart from the glorious mid-80s (even, we had the misery of losing a treble, then a double), have been very average. There have been a few great occasions like the 1995 Cup win, and the spontaneous delirium that followed Jagielka's penalty shoot-out winner, but precious little else. As a fan of another team pointed out, “Everton are just there”.

One of our great flaws has been a lack of resilience. When things have gone wrong, we have often not put them right, whereas clubs like Liverpool and Man Utd have often made advantage out of adversity. Some call it luck, but there is more to it than that.

Fans expectations were high following the majestic way we had won the league the previous season. Whilst Catterick is rightly lauded as a "thinking man's manager", with great technical expertise, he made some dreadful signings after the championship win, people who were nowhere near the calibre of those players he was trying to replace.

'Tiger' Mclaughlin, a Marty Feldmen lookalike, was also an incredibly small fullback, who I remember scoring a dreadful own goal in the derby at Anfield. Strange how those awful memories stick with me, nearly 50 years on.

Henry Newton, who sported a terrific quif on top of an impressive hairline, had previously been Nottingham Forest's best player by a country mile, suffered a strange debilitating 'blood disorder' shortly after joining us, and was out for months.

At the time, David Johnson's departure to Ipswich was surrounded by stories on Merseyside of some scurrilous rumours of the players conduct off the field (no idea if they were true), but Belfitt, his partner in the swap deal, was a lumbering journeyman at best.

Harper, whilst a prolific scorer at Aberdeen, was never going to cope with the increased skill level required in the 1st Division, added to the fact he was diminutive in size, and a little overweight.

Whilst poor managerial decision's played a large part in the demise, a large portion of bad luck also contributed to the downfall of the squad, including the ill health of the manager, and serious long term injuries to key players.

In conclusion, a sad time for the football club and its fans.

In addition Harvey was largely unfit, so we had a large proportion of the team not at their best. I use the word 'team' because at that stage the squad rotation system was not really used. You simply played your best eleven in every game.

Whoever won the league had probably had a large slice of luck with injuries, if in the next season that luck did not continue for whatever reason, your team would suffer.

Qatar in 2022 will be interesting to see how players perform after a midseason World Cup in very demanding conditions. Everton were unlucky in 70-71 and Catterick, hoping for a quick fix, disastrously sold Alan Ball. A decision that ranks alongside the selling of Collins, Vernon and Gabriel, all of whom he sold too quickly. Of course, all of the above were "characters" and Mr Catterick wasn't fond of mouthy players.

To explain Harry Catterick's decline into bad health, you have to look at the way he operated as a manager. He was a one-man manager, never delegated his duties to anyone, did everything himself, all the transfers, driving all over the country to watch players, and also deal in the transfer dealings. He did much more but, in doing so, drove himself into bad health and this contributed to his not being as good as he was in these matters.

Harry suffered... and so did Everton because he, sadly, wasn't up to the job in his later years at Everton, but it should never be forgotten what he did for the club and the massive debt Everton owe him for the great years we had when he was himself.

Arsenal, despite signing Bally after they did the double in 1971, failed to challenge for the title for many years.

Manchester United, following their European Cup triumph, faded very quickly and even got relegated.

Leeds United maintained some threat for the first half of the decade, but it was left to the 'smaller' clubs such as Ipswich, Derby and Nottm Forest to challenge the only big club to improve during the 1970s whose name we are all too familiar with.

Most of the bigger clubs won cups but not many of them were equipped to be Champions.

Peter's point is also one to examine - Everton has declined in real terms since 1970 as the fantastic period of the '80s was not a monied era and indeed TV coverage of another great team was denied due to industrial unrest.

Combined with the decline of John Moores, the inability of the boardroom to take action and the advent of post-1992 football, the history of Everton seems to weigh too heavily on those charged with restoration of our club.

It is really a sad analysis if you look at the number of external storms and internal ditherings that leads us to the present day.

By the way, can anyone elaborate on David Johnson's 1-0 win in '71? I was a kid and all I remember is 4 players were booked in a dirty game (which was very unusual, to go in the book). Then my dad, at full-time, going nuts. Hard to even get a report of it online.

Yes that Hungary game against Brazil was of an astounding quality. Hungary were possibly the best team at that World Cup. I was also at the Portugal game against North Korea. Some of the play in that game was the stuff of legend. In tandem these two games had the magic of Goodison, its team and fans washing over them.

#10 Steve

Just on the Dave Johnson rumours. From my own experience, he was usually in the Babalou when I was also in attendance. More often than not with his mate red John Toshack. And lots of tempting clubs round there to enjoy a long and endless night as a famous footballer in the city. So maybe the Catt heard about his night crawling (not from me I must add)

Excellent article Alasdair. I have always been of the opinion that that week in March 1971, for many varied reasons as you have put forth, was the seed of disaster for the Blues for the many, many fruitless years that followed.

Ironically, it was Dave Johnson's last-minute equalizer against the Greeks at Goodison which raised spirits that maybe we could get to the final at Wembley and beat Ajax to win the European Cup. Long before a certain team in red went on to dominate the European football scene.

I watched that 1970 team developing through the sixties and it was plain to see that something exciting was happening. We were playing great football and getting better year by year.

I watched that great team of Champions home and away in the 69-70 season. The atmosphere at Goodison was electric especially in the Gwladys Street end. Things looked great for the future as the season ended and I couldn't wait for the following campaign.

My pal at the time, Drew, had won 2 season tickets for the Bullens road stand directly opposite the tunnel right at the front top tier. Now all I can remember from that season is the 8-0 against Southampton.

It just wasn't the same being in the Bullens Road stand felt wrong... I don't know why and the team totally underperformed. Maybe it was the World Cup, maybe Catterick has lost his grip, I don't know.

Although we had some very good teams later, it wasn't until later that we got it together again. Unfortunately, by that time, we had been left in the shadows by our neighbours.

Not only did we lose a great player but also an outstanding captain, who brought not only authority but an assured calmness to the defence and team as a whole.

For me, there was no greater example of this than a moment in the 1966 FA Cup Final when an ever so slightly inebriated Eddie Kavanagh ran on the pitch, being pursued by a slightly over-enthusiastic “bobby” who pulled off a heck of rugby tackle to bring him down right in the middle of the Wembley pitch. Now Eddie wasn't exactly a little guy, so in the ensuing melee, the bobby lost his hat, which Brian Harris and Labby retrieved. As Labby knew Eddie, both he and Brian Harris we're able to help calm the situation and assist the bobby escort Eddie off the pitch, laughing and joking with Eddie and the bobby along the way, with Brian Harris wearing the bobby's hat.

The real point of the story is the fact that we were behind at the time and not playing particularly well. But as this scene played out, a few of us made the same comment, “There's no way we're gonna lose this”. Coz Labby just oozed a calm confidence that transmitted to the fans as well. We went on to win 3-2 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Another major influence his presence had on the defence in particular, was to make some of those around him appear better than they actually were. An example of this was John Hurst, his centre-back partner, who was being talked-up by the pundits of the time as the next Bobby Moore. Alongside Labby, I must admit he did look quite useful. But once Labby was no longer there, he looked woeful.

In some respects, the same can be said of Labby's mate, Gordon West, because all his shortcomings became even more pronounced without Labby there to cover for him, such as flapping at crosses. Tommy Wright's form also took a nosedive without Labby there at his side to cover for him. It really did spread like wildfire.

For me, his retirement caused a shockwave through the whole club, not just on the pitch, but off it as well, as it also brought the promotion of Bally to captain which was another contributory factor in our rapid decline. The discipline and calm assuredness on the pitch and in the dressing room disappeared at a stroke. It was like the glue holding it all together had suddenly dissolved.

What a player, what a man.

I am sure Brian's departure was a factor – a true example of leadership by quiet example if ever there was one. He attended one of our supporters' club dinners in the Isle of Man and remained a man of quiet dignity whilst simultaneously being effusive about all things Everton and sadly was taken very prematurely from us. His love for the club was most apparent in both formal speech and informal chats at the bar.

However, like most clubs, the man in charge has been less than adequate and for a club like Everton that is inexcusable given their tradition which has also been evident in recent years too.

After Catterick they had the likes of Bingham, Lee, Smith and Moyes who just didn't cut it along with a number of caretakers in between. Far too many in my book but several other big name clubs suffered the same fate but somehow did well.

l agree Ball was a tremendous player but never a captain and a stalwart like Labone was never replaced with the likes of Kenyon, Lyons and Watson falling well short of the Labby status. John Hurst was a really nice guy who I met but a little slow and was lost when Labby went.

Many dismal memories of the seventies sad to say but that squad of the mid-eighties brought back some prestige and was a delight to watch.

A very nice tribute to a great captain and footballer, Brian was a true Evertonian, he would never say a word against Everton, never. If he couldn't say anything nice, he wouldn't say anything. A few times I'd argue the toss with him and say, “You know I'm right” which he did. His simple smile would tell me, “I'm saying no more.'

By the way, Eric, Eddie Kavanagh ran on the pitch after the second goal which made it 2-2.

Dave, your post at 12 reminded me that Catterick apparently had in mind a succession strategy from within the club. An up-coming young coach would be appointed and groomed by him to take over the reigns, as it were. Of course this never came about. Not surprising really as his philosophy on football management was that, "You have to do things yourself. Once you let other people do things for you, you are slipping."

Eric, I note what you say about Labone. He did in fact announce his intention to retire in 1968 but reconsidered and became an important part of Everton's and England's defence. He was still first choice centre-half in 1970-71, which makes Ball's appointment as captain even more curious.

Thanks again to all who have taken the time to post their comments.

Bit of the Joe Royle dry humour but total class and was sorely missed in that 1971 semi-final when he went off injured with us one-up.

You've brought back to life a sad and frustrating period, particularly as some of us had enjoyed the earlier seasons admiring and enjoying, as you describe "one of the most technically accomplished and attractive sides".

It all happened so quickly too. That's how I remember it. In a couple of months from the top to, well, very nearly the bottom.

There was also a rumour circulating at the time that Alan Ball had huge gambling debts which necessitated him selling his own home and moving into a club house, although I'm not sure how true that was.

Just goes to show the margin between success and failure, as Paul so eloquently put it: "sliding doors moments".

And a future article on the far reaching consequences of the departure of Alan Ball.

At the end of the 1970 season, we stood astride the world of football, potentially one of the best club sides ever; within a season, we were gone. No single event but the loss of some key players, like Labone, and the fall from perfection of others, like Ball, Morrissey and Harvey.

I think by August 1970, the team and their manager were worn out. Several key players had become increasingly injury-prone and/or burned out. The squad lacked energy and badly needed refreshing with a couple of top-class additions. Unfortunately, Catterick had lost his grip in the transfer market at a point when, compared with the early and mid-sixties, there was a dearth of top-class talent in the English game.

The signings which were made, starting with Henry Newton, were not of the standard we required to stay at the top. Subsequent arrivals were decidedly underwhelming while the sale of Alan Ball ripped the heart and soul out of the whole club.

One factor in the decline of individual players was the brutal nature of the game in the late sixties and early seventies. The teams which prospered invariably employed hatchet-men. Those of us who were around at the time all recall which teams and which players they were. Our team's league title triumph was the skilful exception to the rule of thuggery but the constant kicking and tackles from behind on the likes of Royle, Husband and Whittle ultimately took its toll.

I think you're being a bit harsh on the skill set of Mike Lyons. He was a tremendous player for Everton, often under-rated because he generally played in average or poor Everton teams at that time. He would walk into the current side though.

Certainly Wright was never the same and Newton was in and out of the team having signed as a cultured defender who could use the ball well.

John @31 – worn out is a major possibility – the whole system of football and the tackles allowed made this Everton team a footballing beacon at the time. I suspect, in today's climate, all of the side would have added a few years onto their playing time.

Ball argued after his move to Arsenal that his game had changed and that he was now a more complete player. He used the phrase that he was now 'run-in', an analogy relating to how in those days a new car had to be treated carefully initially before being driven to perform at its optimum.

The truth is that the role he had to perform in Mexico, as the ball chaser, had burned him out, and at Arsenal, the box-to-box scoring midfielder became a fairly bog-standard, safe playing, withdrawn midfielder.

On arrival at the stadium, the team were jostled as they left the coach by armed militia. The accompanying press corps were similarly treated and nearly did not get in to report on the game.

My comment that the decision to sell Alan Ball had far-reaching consequences was based on the fact that Catterick had no stellar replacement lined up. Nor does it appear from what I read that Catterick took the time out to sit down with Ball and discuss the impact of his captaincy on his form or the niggling injury problem post-Mexico.

I agree with others regarding the long-term injuries to all four of the Blues players and the impact that inevitably had on the team's form. Nor can we overlook Catterick's continuing health problems allied to the break up of his marriage at the time of his decision to sell Alan Ball. All these factors contributed to leaving the team struggling to recover the form displayed in the 1969-70 season.

Now, the commercial world is governed by greed and the clubs and especially players couldn't be further removed from the fans. I've had enough of the greed that is personified by agents, players and Sky. I hope that this virus focuses us back on what really matters, to the detriment of obscenely overpaid footballers and celebs in general.

All of the changes in football since those days have been driven by greed at the expense of fans, not to their benefit. I'd gladly go back in football terms even if it saw the Sky 4 go their own way into further greed-driven ventures.

I'd sooner see our club developed players play than overpaid, underperforming like the rubbish that we typically waste our money on – even if the outcome was no Champions League.

I trundled over and said "Can I have your autograph please, Mr Labone?" He chatted to me for 5 minutes, came over and had a word with my old man and signed my programme, which was a special with the FA Cup picture on the front.

He was a total gent. And then we beat them courtesy of Imre Varadi. Going in the loft to try and dig it out later. Special day.

The World Cup certainly left our players jaded and we did not have the depth in our squad to rest them.

Ball as skipper was a disaster and Catterick should have taken the bull by the horns and relieved him of the position but the damage to team morale was likely done by that time anyway.

Injuries took their toll: Harvey and Morrissey never returned to their earlier heights and, as others have said, the loss of Labone and decline of West (the most influential members of the dressing room) affected the defence and morale as Ball became a more dominant personality in the dressing room which didn't go down too well.

Replacements were substandard. Gemmill would have been ideal but Henry Newton was no more than a solid wing-half whilst the eventual replacement for Ball was Mick Bernard, a decent enough player but not fit to clean Alan's boots.

I remember the plan was to play Bernard deep and move Kendall further forward into the Ball role but, with Colin's decline, we had lost two of the Trinity and, whilst Kendall single-handedly saved us from relegation with a series of quite magnificent displays on his own in midfield, the engine room had gone.

Royle suffered a terrible back injury from which he never truly recovered, Husband declined, Whittle was inconsistent and Johnson was sold presumably because of something off the pitch as he was a good young forward as he proved at Ipswich and Liverpool.

The replacements for West turned out to be Lawson (on the strength of one stellar performance for Huddersfield at Liverpool) and Dai Davies, who was the most inept keeper I have seen at Everton in nearly 60 years.

All told, a catalogue of injuries, decline of key players, decline in team spirit, poor replacements... but most of these reasons can be attributed to poor management – failure to act when Balls captaincy was clearly having a bad impact, failure to bring in the right replacements, and failure to strengthen the squad when the team was doing so well.

We only had Jackson, Brown, Whittle and Kenyon as squad players and, of those, the first two were not regular first-team standard, Whittle was inconsistent and Kenyon turned out to be injury-prone albeit, when fit, one of the best centre-backs we have had.

I am not altogether blaming Harry – he was clearly not in the best of health and as someone else has posted, he took on all aspects of the job which cost him dearly.

The side he built is still the best side I have seen; no other midfield would have got anywhere near our boys when on form. Rather than criticise him for the decline, I prefer to praise him for the fantastic displays I saw at a time when most clubs were trying to kick their way to success.

Without internet and very little coverage of English football all I could do was scour newspapers to try and find out what was happening with our glorious team. I remember being ecstatic when I found out we won the league. However, the following season always remained a mystery to me and I never knew what happened, why we fell from grace until now. So I thank you Sir for filling in that part of our history for which I was unaware. Cheers.

I was talking to Brian Labone at the bar and was star-struck, calling him Mr Labone – he insisted on me calling him Brian. Anyhow, he asked me if I had family and I told him I had my eldest son Tomas who was a Blue. That was a short conversation but the next year I went to the same do and Brian saw me and came over to me. “Hiya Murph, hows Tomas getting on? Still a Blue?” he asked.

I have close friends and even family who forget my son's name, let alone a big star pro footballer who must meet millions of fans pulling at his sleeve but Mr Labone remembered me and my son.

Quite probably the nicest, most genuine bloke I ever met – I cried when he died.