Match by Match Reports

19^th September 1960

Preliminary Round – Away at Tranmere Rovers

Won 9-0

Scorers – Keith Webber (4), David Chester (3), George Morton (2)

Preview of the game in The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express

A YOUTHFUL CLASSIC

Monday, September 19, 1960 The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Horace Yates
Everton’s youth team is expected to do well in the F.A Youth Cup competition this season, and they start on the long road to the trophy by playing Tranmere Rovers in the preliminary round at Prenton Park tonight (7.30) Five of their side-Parnell, Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples and Tyrer –have appeared regularly in the Central League side this season, whilst Tyrer, of course is almost a “veteran” as he had a few First Division game last season.  These boys play attractive football at its best and although Tranmere cannot muster the same sort of talent as Everton they have a good side with McDevitt and Westlake the boys most likely to make the grade in League football.  Strength of the Everton side, is at half-back where Jarvis, Gorrie and Sharples would grace any senior side even at the tender age.  I have heard glowing reports too, of right back Parnell, who was centre forward for Birkenhead Boys a couple of years ago, but has been switched to the defence where he has proved himself a great player in the making.  There should be a feast of good football tonight.  Tranmere Rovers;- Payne (J); McDervin, Morris, Corless, Radcliffe, Quant; Banks, Brian, Westlake, Hammond, Wise.  Everton; Mailey; Parnell, Gannon; Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples, Chester, Tyrer, Webber, Morron, Edwards. 

3^rd October 1960

1^st Round – Home to Burnley

Won 7-2

Scorers – S Edwards, Keith Webber (4), Alan Tyrer, George Morton

EVERTON SLAM BURNLEY IN GREAT F.A. YOUTH CUP DISPLAY
Tuesday, October 4, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
CENTRE-FORWARD WEBBER SCORES FOUR
EVERTON YOUTH 7, BURNLEY YOUTH 2
Everton’s Youth team did not so much defeat Burnley in the F.A Youth Cup at Goodison Park last night as annihilate them with a second half display of streamlined purposeful football that left their East Lancashire opponents wilting.  Actually the 7-2 winning margin was something of an injustice to Burnley’s excellent footballing ideas in the first half hour, but once Everton got going it was nearly one-way traffic.  Cardiff boy Keith Webber who last Saturday was playing in the Centre League team at outside left, had a joy day at centre forward.  He cracked in four and had two disallowed because of infringements.  His second was a cracker-jack.  Be beat a couple before rocketing a 30 yard shot which flew into the net with Burnley keeper Leaver groping. 
Scarcely a weakness
All told there was scarcely a weakness in the Everton team which was well nigh irresistible.  Jarvis produced an extremely good display at right half and Morton did well in pinpointing his passes, two of which were the means of Webber collecting goals.  Burnley looked a first rate side up to the half hour, but they carried little sting and the Everton defence was not seriously extended.  Edwards from Chester’s corner, gave Everton the lead ten minutes before the interval to be followed by two in the next five minutes from Webber.
Govan reduced the lead after the interval and further goals came from Tyrer and Morton (Everton), Irvine (Burnley) and Webber (2) for Everton.  If this display is any indication Everton have a number of youngsters with a great future.  They thoroughly deserved their ovation by the 8,000 crowd at the end. 

9^th November 1960

2^nd Round – Blackpool at Home

Won 3-1

Scorers – Keith Webber, George Sharples, George Morton

Preview of Match

YOUTH MATCH AT GOODISON
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 08 November 1960
YOUNG EVERTON MEET BLACKPOOL
By Leslie Edwards
Every player save one in the Everton Youth team to meet Blackpool at Goodison Park to-morrow night (7 pm) is 17-years-old. Odd man out is Peter Maddocks of Ellesmere Port. He's 16. This must be the youngest Everton side ever fielded. They should reach the third round of the FA. Youth Cup with no special difficulty. Most of them have been playing in the Everton Centre. League team, whose average age last Saturday, despite the presence of Tom Jones, Mick Meagan and Frank Wignall, was only 18 ½. Everton; Mailey; Parnell, Gannon; Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples; Maddicks, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Edwards. 

SHARPLES’ GOAL MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 10 November 1960
By Paul O’Brien
Magnificent goal by left half George Sharpies -the type every young footballer dreams of, but very rarely achieves—was not only the highlight of Everton's 3-1 F.A. Youth Cup (second round) win over Blackpool, at Goodison Park last night, but it gave the home side that little extra edge at a time when this tussle between two well matched sides seemed to be heading for a draw. The game was 61 minutes old, and the score 1-1, when Sharpies collected the bail on the Everton right, just 10 yards inside the Blackpool half. With colleagues standing unmarked and calling for a pass, a dribble on the part of Sharples seemed suicidal. He had little alternative, for the ball ran on ahead of him and he was forced to chase it towards goal. Sharples then weaved his way past five Blackpool players before crowning a most remarkable run by carefully placing the ball wide of goalkeeper West with all the calmness of a veteran. Blackpool had done most of the attacking in the early stages of the game, but it was Everton who go the first goal, after five minutes. A long, bouncing clearance from goalkeeper Mailey deceived Blackpool centre Johnstone, and Webber, the Everton who got the first goal, see the chance, and raced after the ball to glide it over West as he advanced from goal.
DYNAMIC IDIOT
Seven minutes later Blackpool were level inside left Watt sending a dynamic 20-yard free kick over a wall of defenders and into the Everton net. Very few first-class 'keepers would have stopped this one. Exchanges were fairly even for the rest or the ball, with most of the Everton menace coming from outside left Edwards, and Blackpool showing greatest danger through Napier on their right. Neither forward line worked really well, due to the grip the halves had on the game, and it looked like stalemate until sharples goal. Everton showed that little extra bite from then on, and a third goal by inside left Morton from a Webber across four minutes from time clinched the issue. In a game in which neither goalkeeper could be faulted, centre halves Gorrie (Everton) and Johnston Blackpool were solid defenders, but the forward honours undoubtedly Everton’s two-footed left winger, Stan Edwards. 

19^th December 1960

3^rd Round – Home to Bolton Wanderers

Won 4-1

Scorers – George Morton, Keith Webber (2), Alan Tyrer

EVERTON PROGRESS IN YOUTH CUP
Tuesday, December 20, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
Penalty Miss Put Them on Top
Everton Youth 4, Bolton Youth 1.
A miss from the penalty spot with the score sheet blank has often discouraged a football team, but it was not so with Everton Youth at Goodison Park last night for after Tyrer had shot over from the spot, a side which had looked very mediocre up that stage suddenly blossomed into life in this F.A.  Youth Cup third round tie.  After 40 minutes Morton put Everton ahead from a corner by Maddox after Bolton goalkeeper Lord had appeared to misjudge the flight of the ball.  Shortly after this, left back Gannon hit the angle with a glorious drive from just outside the penalty area and the pace of the Everton team work quickened.  There was little incident in the first 35 minutes, when the fog was swirling round the ground although Bolton outside right Lee had missed two good chances.  Everton opened the second half on the offensive and Tyrer missed a good chance from only 10 yards, after he had been put through by Webber.  Bolton broke away and it was only a great save by Mailey in the Everton goal, who came out and flung himself at the feet of inside right Arnold, which prevented them from equalising.  The save played a vital part in the game for with-in a minute of it Everton had scored two further goals.  Edwards and Morton took advantage of some slackness in the visitors defence and laid on a chance for Webber at the 48th minute, and within half a minute Tyrer netted the best goal of the match.  Edwards broke away on the left and placed a ball perfectly to the in-running Tyrer who lashed in a brilliant volley with his right foot from 15 yards.  It was Tryer, too, who made Everton’s fourth goal at the 77th minute when he raced round two Bolton defenders, before squaring the ball to Webber, whose driving header rocketed into the top of the net.  Centre half Barker got a penalty goal for Bolton at the 87th minute when an Everton defender handled in the area and although the visitors came into the game a little more after this, Everton deserved their win, if only for the way they snatched the initiative at the 35th minute and turned a rather dullish game into an interesting one. 

25^th January 1961

4^th Round – Away at Middlesbrough

Won 2-1

Scorers – Stan Edwards, Alan Jarvis

EVERTON’S YOUTH X1 MARCH ON
Thursday, January 26, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
MIDDLESBROUGH 1, EVERTON 2
Everton’s Youth team advanced to the quarter finals of the F.A Youth Cup with a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at Ayresome Park last night.  Their football was far better than their opponents, and they won despite being a goal in arrears early in the game and failing with a penalty.  Horner headed Middlesbrough into the lead in the seventh minute when the Everton defence took a dummy after a free kick awarded when Gorrie stopped a runaway chase for goal by ‘Boro leader Simpson just outside the penalty area.  Everton were nearly two goals in arrears as Mailey fumbled and dropped a high cross from the left wing, but Gannon came in with a rescue act on the line as the ball headed for the net.  Chester on the right wing was Everton’s star forward but boldiness on the part of goalkeeper Emerson kept Webber from turning Chester’s work into goals. 
SURPRISED EQUALISER
When Everton equalised in the 40th minute it seemed there was little danger to Middlesbrough.  A cross from Chester was cleared out of the goal area but Edwards swung a hopeful foot at the ball to send it flashing into the net.  Middlesbrough’s centre half a minute later sent Chester sprawling in the penalty area, but Everton anticipated the direction of Sharples’ spot kick so bring off a fine save.  Everton did not have long to wait for another goal, for a minute before half-time Jarvis sent in a long range shot which completely deceived Emerson by its flight.  The attacking role adopted by Everton wing halves Sharples and Jarvis provided ample ammunition for the forwards and it was touch and go for Middlesbrough, as Chester sent a shot against an upright and Emerson finger-tipped a Morton shot over the bar.  Everton completely dominated the second half and only some outstanding work by Emerson in the home goal prevented a rout for Middlesbrough.  Middlesbrough; Emerson; McDonagh, Jones; Walker, Gates, Bryan; Proctor, Povey, Simpson, Horne, Hetherington.  Everton; Mailey; Parnell, Gannon; Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples; Chester, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Edwards. 

6^th March 1961

5^th Round – Away at Sheffield Wednesday

Drew 0-0

Everton’s Youth team for their rearranged Youth Cup match tonight at Sheffield Wednesday, is; Mailey; Parnell, Gannon; Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples; Chesters, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Edwards. 

EVERTON DRAW IN DULL GAME
Wednesday, March 7, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
YOUTH CUP
Sheffield Wednesday 0, Everton 0
It was a just result though Everton failed to take advantage of a ten minute second-half spell when Wednesday’s goalkeeper Jones was off the field.  He fell awkwardly and right back Hickton had to take over.  There was little to choose between the teams for both failed badly in front of goal and neither goalkeeper had to save a direct shot.   Morton did put the ball into the Wednesday net, but was well offside and ten minutes from the end Webber again put the ball past Jones and again was given offside.  The nearest to an Everton goal came just before half-time when Morton put in a left-foot effort from close range after Webber’s low drive had been deflected and Jones stuck out a foot to keep out Morton’s first time shot.  At the other end Gorrie stopped the ball on the goal-line with Malley out of position when Storf drove in at angle, but it was mostly pretty dull. 
SOME IMPROVEMENT
After the interval there was some improvement and Edwards showed skill in dribbling round Hickton only to trickle the ball gently to Jones.  At time Everton’s interception cut all contact between the Wednesday half-backs and the attack, but there was excitement in the Everton goal when Jack McAneraney, brother of Wednesday’s first team right half lobbed the ball over Mailey, but Parnell headed off the line.  The ball went to Lockwood whose return header hit the crossbar.  Generally Everton moved quicker than Wednesday and often showed more accurate ball distributions but with pivot Hennigan keeping a close watch on Webber, Everton lacked a speathead.  Sheffield Wed; Jones; Hickton, Lee; Radford, Hennighan, Eustace, Denton, McAnetney, Lockhead, Meechen, Storf.  Everton; Mailey; Parnall, Gannock; Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples; Chester, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Edwards. 

14^th March 1961

5^th Round Replay – Home to Sheffield Wednesday

Won 5-0

Scorers – Alan Tyrer (3), George Sharples, Stan Edwards

EVERTON YOUTH TEAM PEN PICTURES
Monday, March 13, 1961 The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
HERE are pen pictures of members of Everton youth team which this season has reached the quarter-final of the F.A. Youth Cup. They drew 0-0 with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough last week, and tomorrow (7.0) the tie will be replayed at Goodison Park.  If Everton are successful, they will meet either Stoke City or Manchester United in the semi-final.
WILLIE MAILEY (Goalkeeper): Born Duntocher, a suburb of Glasgow. Played for Scotland schoolboy team during 1957-58 season. Joined Everton ground staff on leaving school and signed professional on 17th birthday in June, 1960.  Has also played for Liverpool County youth team.  Height 5 feet 8 ½ Inches, weight 10 stone 8 lbs
ROY PARNELL (Right back) Birkenhead-born and played at outside right and centre forward for the town boys team.  Represented Cheshire and had several trials for England as a schoolboy.  Joined Everton ground staff on leaving school and quickly settled down as a full back. Signed professional in October, 1960, and has been a regular member of reserve team this season, making his First Division debut against Wolves at Molineux on January 21 1961 Height 5 feet 8 inches. weight 10 stone 12 Ibis MICHAEL GANNON (left back); A local boy who played for Liverpool and Lancashire schoolboys before joining Goodison ground staff during summer of 1958.  Played for Lancashire youth team in 1959-80 season. Signed professional in February 1960 Height 5 feet 8 ½ Inches, weight 10 stone 11lb
ALAN JARVIS (Right half): Born Wrexham and was an outstanding member of the Wrexham Boys team during the 1957-58 season. He had several trials for the Welsh schoolboys side.  Joined Everton during summer of 1958 and his consistent displays since have earned him Welsh youth and amateur international honours.  Has also represented the Liverpool County Youth F.A Aged 17 height 5 feet 8 ½ inches weight 11 stone. Still at Grove Park School Wrexham
DAVID CORRIE (Centre-half); another local boy. Played for Liverpool and Merseyside Grammar Schools teams before joining Everton on leaving school.  Has played for the Liverpool County youth team.  Signed professional in May 1960 and has appeared regularly in Central League side this season.  Height 5 feet 10 inches weight 11 stone 5 lbs
GEORGE SHARPLES (Left half);  An Ellesmere Port boy who had a very successful schoolboy career representing Ellesmere Port Cheshire and England in season 1958-59.  Joined Everton ground staff in June 1959 and has gained further honours as member of England youth team.  Signed professional in September 1960 and made his League debut against Preston at Goodison on October 3 1960.  Height 5 feet 11 inches, weight 12 stone 6 lbs
PETER MADDOCK (Outside right): Another Ellesmere Port boy who represented Ellesmere Port and Cheshire, schoolboys in 1958-69 season.  Joined Everton in July, 1959, and has represented England Boys Clubs during the last two seasons. Still only 16 Height 5 feet 8 inches, weight 11 stone 12 lbs
DAVID CHESTER (Outside Right): Comes from Horwich.  Signed by Everton as an amateur on leaving school: Aged 17 height 5 feet 10 inches, weight 11 stone
ALAN TYRER (Inside Right); Born Liverpool and played for Liverpool and Lancashire Boys during 1957-58 season.  Joined Goodison ground staff in July 1958.  Has represented Lancashire Youth F A and signed professional in December 1959.  Made League debut at Fulham in January 1960 and has appeared several times then in first team Height 5 feet 6 ½  inches weight 10 stone 2lbs.
KEITH WEBBER (Centre-forward); Born in Cardiff and, played for Barry Town as an amateur before joining Everton in September 1959.  Signed professional in February 1960, and made first team debut against Walsall in Football League Cup.  Played first Division! game against Chelsea at Goodison Park on February 18, 1961.
GEORGE MORTON (Inside Left); another local boy who represented Liverpool and Lancashire as a schoolboy.  He had trials for the England team during 1958-59.  Joined Everton ground staff on leaving school and signed professional in September 1960.  Has played for Liverpool County youth team.  Height 5 feet 8 inches weight 10 stone 8lbs
STANLEY EDWARDS (Outside left): Born West Bromwich but lived for a number of years in St Asaph. North Wales. Signed by Everton from Rhyl as an amateur in September, 1959, and turned professional in December that year.  Has represented Liverpool County Youth F.A. Almost regular choice at outside left in Central League side this season Height 5 feet 9 ½ inches weight 10 stone 8 lbs

EVERTON YOUTH TEAM CHANGES
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 14 March 1961
ALAN JARVIS OUT OF CUP REPLAY
By Paul O’Brien
Everton make three changes, one positional, for the FA. Youth Cup, quarter final, replay against Sheffield Wednesday at Goodman Park this evening (7.0) . Welsh amateur international right half, Alan Jarvis, the Grove Park, Wrexham, schoolooy is unfit, and Gannon moves from left back to take his place. J. Atherton, the 17-years-old former St. Helens and Lancashire schoolboys player, is brought in at left back.  Atherton has been on Everton's books as an amateur since leaving school.  The other change is at outside right, where amateur Peter Maddocks, the Ellesmere Port boy and England Boys Clubs representative, takes over from David Chester. Everton;  Malley; Parnell, J. Atherton; Gannon, Gorrie, Sharples; P. Maddocks, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Edwards. To-night's winners meet either Manchester United or Stoke in the sem.-final.

YOUNG CUP REPLAY
Wednesday, March 15, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
TYRE HAT-TRICK FOR EVERTON
EVERTON 5, SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 0
By Paul O’Brien
Everton entered the semi-final of the F.A Youth Cup for the first time by virtue of a well-earned 5-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the fifth round replay at Goodison Park last night.  Sheffield were unfortunate in that their inside right McAnearney hurt his left leg in a tackle after 20 minutes and limped as a passenger on the left wing for the rest of the first half and not returning to the field after the interval.  But putting this apart Everton were superior all round and the display of their eleven from goal to outside left could not really be faulted.  Tyrer showed something of the form which earned such a high reputation about twelve months ago and was rewarded with a hat-trick.  He was helped in his first goal after thirty-one minutes, by a goalkeeping error on the part of Jones who dropped a long lob into the penalty area by Sharples.  But Tyrer took this quick chance well and his second after 60 minutes came from a fine centre by Maddocks who took the ball up to the goal-line before pulling it back. 
FINE HEADER

The Everton inside right completed his hat-trick in the dying seconds of the game after a fine header by Webber, the unluckiest of forwards with his shooting last night had put him through.  The two other Everton goals came from Sharples after 9 minutes and Edwards after 26, Sharples got his chance when goalkeeper Jones stepped out of the penalty area with the ball and the Everton left half blazed in a free kick which Jones got his hands to but could not stop entering the net.  Edwards goal was a just reward for the player for he spilt the defence with a sprint down the left wing, put the ball across and saw four shots cannon off the goalkeeper and defenders before he got his chance 15 yards out and made no mistake.  Sheffield were at their best for 10 minutes in the first half just before McAnearney was injured and Mailey in the Everton goal was in action four times saving shots from Hinsworth (twice) Bardsley and Storf.  With only ten fit men they were never really in with a chance afterwards.  Everton’s centre half Gorrie who gave a fine display and Sharples was the inspiration behind a lot of Everton’s attacks.  Everton now meet Manchester United or Stoke City in the semi-final.  Everton; Mailey; panel, Atherton; Gannon, Gorrie, Sharples; Maddock, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Edwards.  Sheffield Wednesday; Jones; Hickton, Burke; Radford, Hennigan, Eustace, Bardsley, McAnearney, Hinsworth, Lockwood, Short.  Attendance 7,254. 

EVERTON YOUTH TEAM SHOW THEIR CLASS
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 15 March 1961
By PAUL O'BRIEN
Good football, plenty of goals and a clear - cut Everton victory. They are the things Goodlson fans have been longing for since the beginning of 1961, and 7,251 spectators warmly showed their appreciation when the Blues' youth team provided them e in the F.A. Youth Cup fifth round replay against Sheffield Wednesday at Goodison Park last night. It was unfortunate that Sheffield had to play for more than three quarters of the game with only 10 fit men, but this does not detract from Everton's win In any way, for they eased off noticeably after the interval and the way they played during the first half it would have taken a very good team indeed to stop them. McAnearney, Wednesday’s inside right, was injured in a tackle after 20 minutes and he hobbled on the left wing for the rest of the first half with his left leg practically useless.  Nevertheless, he cleared every ball within distance and never shirked a tackle.  He did not return to the field after the interval, but his great courage in fighting against the odds spread to the rest of the Sheffield side and it was their refusal to admit defeat which went a long way towards making this game such a good one. 
End-To-End Play
Play swung rapidly from end to end at the beginning of the first half and after Mailey had made a particularly good catch right under the crossbar from a centre by Shorf, he Wednesday outside left; Everton went ahead at the ninth minute. Sharples sent Edwards away down the Everton left with a perfectly-placed, a 30-yards pass and the Everton winger took the ball to the corner flag before centring to Webber.  The Everton centre forward nodded the ball backwards, bit no-one was in position to take it and goalkeeper Jones collected.  In making his clearance, however, Jones carried the ball just outside his area and from the resultant free kick Sharples crashed the ball home-Jones getting his fingers to the shot, but being powerless to stop it.  Sheffield then had their best period and Mailey made four competent saves in the space of two minutes.  Then McAnearney was hurt, and at the 25th minute left winger Edwards put Everton further ahead.  Four shots bounced off Jones and his co-defendere before Edwards gained possession 15 yards out and made no mistake with a right foot shot.
BRILLIANT NEARER
Just after this Wednesday right back Hickton brilliantly turned a goal-bound Morton shot over the bar with his head but at the 31st minute Tyrer notched the first goal of his hat –trick. Jones must take the blame for this, as he dropped the ball at Tyrer's feet, when trying to collect a Sharples pass which has just over carried the forwards.  Tyrer scored his second after 60 minutes, following a good right wing run and perfect centre by Ellesmere Port Amateur, Haddocks, and with only seconds of the game remaining Webber headed the ball through for him to get a third. Although it is hard to single out anyone particularly in this Everton side, centre half Gorrie was perhaps the brightest of the stars shining at Goodison last night. I saw him make just one error during the whole match, and this apart his display was as perfect as anyone could hope for. He had a particularly good understanding with his goalkeeper, Mailey, who in turn , gave his usual reliable display. Everton play Manchester United or Stoke In the semi-final, the winners then meeting either Chelsea, the holders, or Arsenal.

29^th March 1961

Semi-Final 1^st Leg – Away at Stoke City

Won 2-1

Scorers – Keith Webber, Peter Maddock

EVERTON’S SEMI-FINAL GOAL LEAD
Friday, March 30, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
STOKE CITY YOUTH 1, EVERTON YOUTH 2
GOALS; Matthews, stoke, Webber, Maddock, Everton.  Attendance 19,241. 
The Merseysiders second goal was a gem.  Webber and Maddock worked the ball through Stoke’s rear ranks, Maddock to switch swiftly into the centre and hammering the ball past Sherratt.  Everton were in luck when Mathews shot against their goal angle and when Atherton headed off the line from Bebbington.  The non-stop thrills however also included a goal bound shot by Webber which desperate Bloor cleared off the line.  Desperate Stoke hurled everything into a do or die second half.  Everton’s securely knit rearguard had to pull out all the way and even them it took some brilliant work by Mailey to hold the fort.  A tragic handling effort by Burgin a heroic Everton right back, presented City with a penalty goal three minutes from the end.  It was hammered into the roof of the net by Mathews.  The winners were not without being second half moments.  One Stoke let off was miraculous for after Webber had lashed the ball against the foot of the post, Edwards shot from the rebound struck the post and then the other before going out.  Everton were good right through; but wing half Gannon and Sharples were superb. 

16^th April 1961

Semi-Final 2^nd Leg – Home to Stoke City

Won 3-1

Scorers – Stan Edwards, George Sharples, George Morton

Newspaper Preview

YOUTH TEAM DESERVES A BIG GATE
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 01 April 1961
BRILLIANT AT STOKE, SAYS ALEX PARKER
Well, if our youth team don't get a big gate for the second leg of the Youth Cup semi-final at Goodison on April 19 they never will. I was not at the game but from the Press reports, end the general talk at the ground on Thursday morning, Les Shannon's boys put up magnificent display—and two of their regular players, Alan Jarvis and Roy Parnell, could not turn out. There were nearly 20,000 people at the game, which is a great deal more than watch the Stoke first team, so it is easy to see how much interest there is in the team. If there are more people at Goodison for the second leg than turn up for First Division matches, we first team will never hear the last of it from the youngsters.  I had heard that Stoke had a great side and they did very well to beat our old Youth Cup bogey team - Manchester United —in the quarter final, but apparently Everton were unstoppable in the first half, during which they scored their two goals. They must now stand a great chance of reaching the final, which is also played on a two-legged basis, and would then meet either Arsenal or Chelsea, the holders. Along with everybody else connected with the club I shall be at Goodison for the Stoke game—and the final as well. I hope.

YOUTH TEAM
Everton Youth team to meet Stoke City at Goodison Park tomorrow evening in the second leg of the F.A Youth Cup semi-final will be; Mailey; Parnell, Gannon; A, Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples, P. Maddock, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Edwards.  Everton won the first leg 2-1 and if successful tomorrow will meet Chelsea the holders in the first leg of the final at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (3 p.m). 

EVERTON THROUGH TO YOUTH CUP FINAL
Thursday, April 20, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
SHARPLES COULD BECOME A SENSATION OF THE FUTURE
EVERTON 3, STOKE CITY 1
By Horace Yates
By an aggregate of five goals to two Everton last night qualified at Goodison Park for the F.A Youth Cup final, by ousting Stoke City in the two-leg semi-final.  Everton now oppose Chelsea in the final, the first leg of which will be played at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.  Everton’s Central League game with Derby County being postponed in consequence.  What a credit this set of lads are to Everton.  These players of the future and possibly not too distant future at that, look capable of advancing all the way and it seems to me that Everton may not find it too difficult to maintain standards on a far more economic trudged than it took to assemble the present senior time.  Everton’s football at times even on a difficult greasy pitch was so fluent that Stoke found it hard to complete on anything like equal terms, but whatever skills they may have lacked Stoke were of the true bull-dog breed so far as defensive work was concerned.  Four of the Everton teamers Parnell, Sharples, Tryer, Webber –have played in First Division football while none of the Stoke lads has so far graduated above the reserves.  This judicious blooding of the Everton boys has undoubtedly produced results, and they are better players for their experience.  Sharples in particular thrust himself forward as a half-back who could one day become a sensation.  In the first team he was just that little bit slow making him appear to lack decisiveness but against lads of his own age and maturity he was a football giant.  In the tackle he was devastating effective and on attack the strength with which he resisted tackles and the way in which he placed the ball to advantage, focused attention on him.  I should be surprised if Mr. Harry Catterick, watching from the stand, has not made a mental note of Sharples.  First team followers have heard of four of these boys, and are probably aware of the name of Jarvis, if only because of consistent recognition by Wales but Stan Edwards of Rhyl may mean little to most.  After last night, at least 21,417 people who braved a horrid evening will be wondering why he has been kept under lock and key for so long. 
FIRST CLASS FARE
In better company he may be less effective and less assured, but with the sort of outside left void there has been in match after match I would have been tempted in face of such promise to give him his chance alongside the other youngsters, who have been brought in to taste first class fare and left to digest it at their leisure.  Tyrer attempted to take on the Bobby Collins’ role without scaling the heights quite so effectively and Webber worried openings out of the Stoke defence, and then just failing to turn them to account.  None can doubt this lad’s effectiveness and enthusiasm.  Parnell was a full back with the Parker touch and overall I should say Everton are in the final on true merit for if there are better youth teams than this then football is not the bleak affair it is sometimes represented as being.  I think Stoke Bloor adds to his experience and years, and if Sherratt committed the unforgivable sin of conceding a goal from 40 yards allowing a ball to slip through his grasp it was the one blot on a superb display.  Everton scored first in three minutes when Parton slashed wildly at Maddock’s cross and Edwards hit it straight for goal.  Nothing could have saved it but Winder stuck out a despairing foot, which merely accelerated the ball’s progress into the net. Five minutes before the interval came the 40 yards effort by Sharples, a goal which could only have materialised with such a greasy ball.  A Philpott shot eluded Mailey and Gannon, and Bridgwood shot into the undefended goal, a score which gave Stoke ideas of saving the tie, but when the pressure was on Everton proved they knew how to react.  Brilliant play by Sharples saw Maddock’s push the ball into the middle for Morton to sweep it past Sherratt.  Everton; Mailey; Parnell, Gannon; Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples.  Maddock, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Edwards.  Stoke City; Sherratt; Parton, Philpott; Griffiths, Bloor, Winder; Bebbington, Braidgwood, Walters, Matthews, McGrath.  Referee Mr. J. Powell (Rotherham). 
WIGNALL IS EVERTON LEADER
Everton’s new manager, Mr. Harry Catterick, is compelled to make one change in the side to visit his former club Sheffield Wednesday, on Saturday.  Centre-forward Alex Young is required for an Army game so Frank Wignall deputises.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson Gabriel, Labone, Meagan; Bingham, Collins, Wignall, Vernon, Fell. 

EVERTON IN YOUTH CUP FINAL
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 20 April 1961
By Paul O’Brien
Everton’s Youth team, which has been hailed for months now by its followers as the best under-18 side in the land, is just one hurdle away from proving this to be true.  They beat Stoke 3-1 at Goodison Park last night- aggregate score-5-2-and thereby entered the F.A Youth Cup final for the first time.  Everton, however, did not have things their own way in last night’s semi-final second leg.  They had to fight every inch of the way against a Stoke side which stubbornly refused to admit defeat.  As the final whistle blew, spectators crowded around the players tunnel to show their appreciation of the visitors performance and the Everton players stood back, joined in the applause and waited until the last Stoke man had left the field before they took their equally well-deserved ovation.  Everton play Chelsea in the final and the first leg is at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Stoke were held up in the Mersey Tunnel on their way to Goodison and arrived at the ground only 15 minutes before the kick-off.  They were a goal behind at the third minute.  The pitch had received a thorough soaking by rain and it was the slippery stale of the surface which was responsible for this opening score.  Tyrer, Everton’s inside-right swung a long ball across field in the direction of outside-left Edwards, Parton, Stoke’s right back moved in to intercept, slipped and Edwards gained possession.
FIRST CLASS
The Everton winger’s shot beat goalkeeper Sherratt, and a defender, who made a despairing last-minute attempt to hook the ball out of goal, only succeeded in helping it on its way.  Play swung from end to end for most of the first half, but competent goalkeeping by Sherratt and Mailey, plus some first class tackling by both sets of defenders, prevented addition to the score until two minutes before the interval.  Then Everton got goal No. 2 and what a sad moment it was for goalkeeper Sherratt, Sharples hit a harmless-looking ground shot from 35 yards, Sherratt bent down to make a simple pick-up without getting firmly behind the ball and it rolled through his legs and trickled over the goal-line.  Gannon, Gorrie, and Parnell all made perfectly-timed tackles in the Everton penalty area when a Stoke forward was on the point of shooting, and at the other end Sherratt atoned for his error with a series of superb saves.  Stoke placed their corner kicks throughout much more dangerously than Everton and it was from one of these, taken by left back Philpott that Bridgewood scored Stoke’s goal, the ball entering the net via the underside of the bar after 69 minutes.  Everton’s third goal at the 87th minute was the result of the game’s finest football.  The ball travelled 80 yards from deep in the Everton defence without a Stoke player touching it and when it was returned to the centre from the right, Morton nipped in to apply the finishing touch.  Each member of the Everton defence had a moment of glory when he either made a superb tackle or a fine interception.  Although the forwards did not combine as well as we know they can, they did extremely well against a strong, resolute Stoke defence, in which Phillipott and Winder were outstanding. 

\

22^nd April 1961

Final 1^st Leg – Away at Chelsea

Lost 1-4

Scorer – Stan Edwards

YOUTH FINAL
Liverpool Echo - Friday 21 April 1961
By Leslie Edwards

Mr. Catterick foresaw a tough challenge to-morrow in London for his side's youth team in the first leg of the Youth Cup Final. "Chelsea have got together an out-of-this-world youth side; a fantastic team:' he added. Among them are seven players who won Youth Cup medals last season. They are backs Butler and Harris, half backs Venables and More, and forwards Murray, Shaw and Bolland. Chelsea's record in the competition so far is 34 goals to nil: Everton's 35 against 7. Chelsea youth team chief, Dick Foss, says: Our target is to start the second leg at Goodison Park next Wednesday with a four goals lead. We shall need it. Everton are very good indeed. Everton coach Leslie Shannon will be in charge of the Everton youngsters in London. Everton; Mailey; Parnell, Gannon; Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples; Maddocks, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Edwards.  Chelsea; Cowan; Butler, Harris (A); Venables, Mora, Harris (R.); Murray, Shaw, Bolland, Johnston, Gillingwater. 

SECOND LEG
It was hard luck on Stoke’s goalkeeper that he should let a long-range shot from George Sharples slip through his hands, but he more than made up for it afterwards.  The first leg of the final, against Chelsea, was played at Stamford Bridge today, and the second leg is on Wednesday.  That should be worth going a long way to see.  Those of you who were at our game with Cardiff will, I think, agree with me that is was one of our best displays of the season.  It is a long time since I enjoyed a game so much.  Bobby Collins hit a hat-trick to show that he is right back to his best again, and Alex Young and George Thomson are still proving that those who were so quick to write them off when they first signed are now wrong. 

TOUGH FOR EVERTON’S YOUTH TEAM
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 22 April 1961
CHELSEA TAKE 2-GOAL LEAD
Everton were almost immediately on the defensive in this first leg of the F.A. Youth Cup final at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea inside right Shaw looked dangerous as he ran into the penalty area, but before he could reach the ball. David Gorrie heavily but fairly charged him to the ground. Outside right Murray scored for Chelsea after 20 minutes. For the rest of the first half Chelsea were continually on the attack, but Everton's centre-forward Webber, forced Cowen to dive full length for his 20 yards shot. At the other end, Bill Mailey was constantly in action and he saved brilliantly from goal-grabber Shaw. But he could not save Murray’s volley from a corner five minutes before half-time. Half-time; Chelsea Youth 2,  Everton Youth nil. Everton made slightly more impression on the Chelsea defence on the resumption, but as in the first half, too many passes were going astray and the home defenders did not look as if they would allow Everton to be the first side to score against them in this season's competition. Aber 56minutes centre forward Bolland scored Chelsea third. 

MAILEY WAS HERO OF EVERTON
Monday, April 24, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
CHELSEA YOUTH 4, EVERTON YOUTH 1
Despite a gallant display by goalkeeper Mailey, who was given an ovation at the end, Everton lost 4-1 to Chelsea the holders in the first leg of the F.A Youth Cup final at Stamford Bridge.  Mailey injured twice in the second half could not stop the brilliant Chelsea forwards by himself and Everton will require more than a repeat performance from him, for the formidable task in the second leg at Goodison Park on Wednesday.  Chelsea had a record of 34-0 before the match and the Everton outside left Edwards was first to score against them, in this season’s competition.  Murray the Chelsea outside right, scored twice in the first half and Bolland made it 3-0 in the 56th minute.  Until Edward’s surprise goal the Everton forward line had given goalkeeper Cowan little to worry about.  Then Murray netted his third and Chelsea’s fourth. 

26^th April 1961

Final 2^nd Leg – Home to Chelsea

Won 2-1

Scorers – Stan Edwards, Keith Webber

YOUTH CUP
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 25 April 1961
By Leslie Edwards
Everton coach Leslie Shannon is confident his bunch of bonny boys can overcome their three-goal deficit against Chelsea in the second leg of the F A. Youth Cup final and bring the trophy to Everton for the first time. The deciding game is at Goodison Park to-morrow night (7.30 p.m.) and Mr. Shannon feels his team has only to produce the form they showed in earlier rounds to cinch victory. Chelsea's goals on Saturday came from defensive mistakes, so they may regret handing the London side a 4-1 lead. I anticipate the biggest crowd ever in this city to watch a youth game and If Everton play as they did at Stoke City In the semi-final, there should be a football treat. The attendance at Chelsea on Saturday (about 6.000) was disappointing in view of the home team's excellent performances in this competition over the past two years. There should be at least three times that number at Goodison for, whatever the result, supporters will be able to see the basis of Everton sides for years to come. They have some wonderful prospects among this youth team.

CHELSEA YOUTH AT GOODISON
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 25 April 1961
UNCHANGED TEAM FOR CUP GAME
Chelsea, who beat Everton 4-1 last Saturday, will field an unchanged side in tomorrow night’s F.A Youth Cup final second leg at Goodison Park.  This means they will parade seven of the team whom won this trophy against Preston in last year’s final.  They are full backs Dennis Butler, and Alan Harris, half-backs Terry Venable and Terry More and forwards Bert Murray (who scored three goals against Everton in the first leg) Colin Shaw and Gordon Bolland.  The Chelsea lads are particularly keen to retain the cup and so commemorate youths manager Dick Foss’s 25 years’ service at Stamford bridge.  Billy Liddell is to present the trophy tomorrow night.  Chelsea; Cowan; Butler, Harris (A); Venables, More, Harris (R.); Murray, Shaw, Bolland, Johnston, Gillingwater.

EVERTON BEAT CHELSEA AND YET LOSE CUP
Thursday, April 27, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
YOUTHS HELP TO RESTORE FAITH IN FUTURE OF FOOTBALL
EVERTON 2, CHELSEA 1
(Aggregate; Everton 3, Chelsea 5)
By Horace Yates
What a flight the Everton boys put up in the second leg of the F.A Youth Cup final at Goodison Park last night.  Starting 4-1 down, a seemingly impossible position against a side which had scythed down all opposition with a fantastic scoring record.  Everton had Chelsea wobbling at the knees with the most sustained thirty-minute blitz I have seen all the season.  Within a goal of equality, and with 15,946 spectators, making noise enough for 50,000 in never-ending encouragement Everton mounted wave after wave of attack until it seemed that Chelsea must capitulate, but to their eternal credit, they weathered the storm, and claimed a consolation goal in the last minute.  This was a match that had everything and if there is a record sale of throat pastilles tomorrow, who can be surprised.  The roar was continuously for most of the game and the Everton boys, swept forward on this flood tide of support, came within an ace of wiping out their deficit against a side which has not conceded a single goal to any other teams.  Everton are a team of which to be proud.  Their spirit, football, determination and individual skill’ were of such high quality that it is no exaggeration to suggest that the entertainment they provided could hardly have been battered by their seniors.  Everton were beaten, but they lost nothing except the trophy when Chelsea retain for the second successive year, for they proved that the London side, played everywhere as the country’s best, could not only be beaten but could be outplayed as well. 
LIKE INTRUDERS
If Everton dominated the exchanges in the first half than they monopolised play subsequently so much so that Chelsea almost looked like intruders when they crossed the half-ay line.  Everton could easily have gone ahead, 22 minutes when Webber with a shot from 30 yards out beat goalkeeper Cowan and left a black smudge on the crossbar as testimony to the nearest of near failures.  The live-wire Webber laid on a perfect opportunity, which Maddocks squandered, but Everton received no more than their due when Edwards finding himself in the clear from a corner kicks, seemed to take an eternity to hit the ball, but when he did it was the most perfect lob and in 35 minutes inroads into the deficit had begun.  With Everton’s second goal coming in 54 minutes the stage was set for a triumphant reply.  Tyrer placed Morton in possession and across goal went his centre for Webber to flick it into goal.  Now sleeves were really stripped on in earnest.  It was easy to see Chelsea’s concern.  They wasted time whenever possible, pushed the ball out of play, passed back to the goalkeeper and indulged in a variety of safety-first tactics, which showed they had been well drilled to meet such an emergency though the experience has been.  Everton continued to thunder forward and at any moment it appeared the equaliser must come.  Webber nearly did the trick with a block-buster of a shot that screamed only just wide and Tyrer seized on a pass with only Cowan to beat but the young goalkeeper barred the way with his body, and Tyrer simply could not clear him. 
SAVE OF THE NIGHT
Webber headed over and Tryer’s lob must almost have grazed the bar on the upper side, but the save which will be remembered when all others are forgotten was from an Edwards header.  The match hung on that single incident and inches decided against Everton.  The direction was flawless as Cowan flung himself at the ball and retrieved it at the second attempt when it must have been actually on the line.  This was excitement clean above ordinary expectations, but flesh is only human and without the reward of success Everton naturally began to tire.  With one minute to go a needless conceded free kick by Parnell gave Murray the chance to drive the ball into goal.  No one dared leave the ground before that goal for Everton were the great dictators capable of snatching an equaliser and even a winner, against a desperately packed defence.  If I had to name the outstanding player among so many brilliant performers I would unhesitatingly plump for George Sharples, a lad to whom his colleagues looked for leadership and my goodness how they got it.  Jarvis less forceful but almost equally effective was another great player. 
DASHING WEBBER
Tyrer’s skill was evident to all, and Edwards is a useful winger with the right sort of scoring ideas.  I doubt if there is any player, apart possibly from Bobby Collins who covers as much ground in a single game as Webber.  These will want dash and all out drive in their centre forward most be charmed with Webber but I thought if he showed a little more control and a stern legs exuberance a game could only be improved in consequence.  For all that there was a player whom the crowd were putting they hopes of success there was doubt that Webber was the boy.  Parnell and Gannon at full backs did everything asked of them and did it in an accomplished fashion while Gorrie who was given the hardest task of the Everton defence in having to control the skilful and skilful and industrious centre forward Bolland could hardly be faulted.  I liked both Chelsea wingers Murray and Gillingwater but Moore at centre half already plays with the assured calm and retain defence of a First Division player.  These boys helped to restore one’s faith in the future of soccer.  Everton; Mailey; Parnell, Gannon; Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples; Maddocks, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Edwards.  Chelsea; Cowan; Butler, A Harris, Veneables, Moore; R. Harris, Murray, Shaw, Bolland, Johnston, Gillingwater.  Referee; Mr. G McCabe (Sheffield) Attendance 15,946.   

EVERTON CAME WITHIN INCHES OF SUCCESS
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 27 April 1961
By Paul O'Brien
Hats off to the gallant youngsters of Everton! They are only runners-up in this year's F.A. Youth Cup competition, but how very, very close they came in the second leg of the Final at Goodison Park last night to pulling back a 4-1 First leg deficit and becoming the trophy winners. For the record, Everton won 2.1 and Chelsea took the Cup for the second year in succession with an aggregate score of 5-3, but the score-line of last night's game is best forgotten as it does little justice to the Goodison boys' tremendous effort. Everton literally came within inches of success, firstly when centre forward Webber crashed in a 30 yards' drive which hit the bar, and then on half a dozen other occasions when shots and headers passed within a foot or so of the Chelsea woodwork. Cowen in the Chelsea goal sealed Everton's fate two minutes from the end with almost brilliant save from a perfectly placed header by outside left Edwards, previous to which Chelsea's two outstanding players, centre half Moore and right half Venables, made a series of timely interventions and tackles to deny Everton. On a pitch which was' exceedingly heavy, each member of the Everton side made a 100 per cent, effort and it was a mystery how they lasted the game out at such a pace. No one in the 15,946 crowd could have asked for more.
WONDERFUL SHARPLES
Everton, inspired by a wonderful display from left half George Sharples, rose to great heights at times, so much so that Chelsea, easy winners at Stamford Bridge last Saturday,  were made to look a very ordinary side. Centre forward Webber ran himself into the ground in an attempt to force openings in the Chelsea rear-guard and right half Alan Jarvis touched the peak of his form in the second half. Mike Gannon had an outstanding game at left back and left winger Stan Edwards was always threatening. Everton's first goal came after 35 minutes and stemmed from a pass back by Chelsea left half Harris (R.) which was well wide of his goalkeeper. From the resulting right wing corner, taken by Maddocks, Cowen punched the ball out and, Edwards calmly lobbed it back over the goalkeeper's head and into the net. Webber got the second after 55 minutes when he turned the ball into goal from five yards following a through pass by Tyrer and a cross from Morton, and outside left Gillingwater scored for Chelsea seconds from time after a free kick just outside the Everton penalty area.