The 1969-70 season was the crowning moment of Harry Catterick’s Everton career. The side featured a host of Everton legends, including the ‘Holy Trinity’ of Alan Ball, Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey. The football played was attractive, attacking and most importantly successful. From the offset of the league Catterick’s Everton left Don Revie’s Leeds United, and the rest of the country, in their wake. Being knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round and Leeds United being distracted by lengthy FA Cup and European Cup runs proved vital. The Everton side assembled by Catterick was relentless and they became Champions of England falling narrowly short of Leeds United’s record points tally of 67. They were dominant throughout the campaign and ‘had led the League throughout the season, at one point in October they were a lordly eight points ahead’.[2] Harry Catterick played a vital role in this success and carried on his nickname that was given to him at his former club Sheffield Wednesday, ‘Mr Success’.[3]
The signing of Alan Ball in 1966 brought with it success as Everton were crowned Champions of England four seasons later in the 1969-70 season. Catterick and Ball had a strong relationship during their time working together at Everton. Catterick had faced competition in signing Ball but once he and his Dad had met Catterick his decision was made. Ball said, “I was joining a massive club; my wages were more than I had ever imagined”, which again illustrates the financial power of Everton and the ability of Ball for him to be paid so highly.[4]
It seems hard to avoid comparisons of Catterick to Shankly and this is true with Alan Ball. Ball said about Catterick, “He did not have the same bubbling personality as Shankly but he cared just as much about his club and his team”.[8] Catterick clearly was a passionate man but just conveyed this passion in a very different way to Shankly. The ability to instantly recite a quote or watch a video of Shankly means that his name is more closely associated with passion for his club. As for Catterick, his passion was displayed in diverse ways and thus he is perceived to be less passionate, but this may not be the case, certainly according to his record signing Alan Ball.
The perfect way to win over Everton fans is by scoring against Liverpool in the derby. Ball did this on several occasions and in March 1967 he scored on possibly the biggest Merseyside derby ever. Both sides faced each other in the FA Cup and the match was played at Goodison but also broadcasted at Anfield on giant screens. Nowhere ‘in the country would be able to contain everyone who wanted to see the tie ... Liverpool arranged ... eight giant screens at Anfield ... At Goodison, more than a hundred people were hurt in the scramble (for tickets) ... At Liverpool ... police reinforcements were summoned to control the crowds... three hours after the sales had begun, every ticket both for the match and the television relay, had been sold. In all, 105 000 people’.[9] This illustrates the tremendous excitement and anticipation that met each derby game. Ball scored the only goal in an Everton victory and endeared himself to the fans. He did this so many times that he grew a reputation as a man who ‘always scored against Liverpool and he loved it’, and the fans loved him scoring those goals.[10]
Ball became an integral part of the Everton side and was part of a midfield partnership with Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey. The partnership became known as the ‘Holy Trinity’, Everton were light-heartedly coined ‘the only club in the history of football to win the league title with three players’ in the 1969-70 season.[11] Of course no team could win a league with three players, but this description illustrates that the three men were hugely significant in this Everton side. This partnership helped write Ball into Everton folklore and was a big reason as to why Ball had such a good relationship with the fans. In the title winning campaign of 1969-70, Ball went on to captain the team when Brian Labone was injured toward the end of the season. Ball’s ‘single minded determination’, according to Rogers, was a reason for his success.[12] Fans have argued that Ball was a ‘poor captain’, his personality ‘led him to be intolerant of other people’.[13] Ball’s determination was good on a personal level, but this did not help him as a leader, which may be a factor for a substandard managerial career, especially when compared to his playing days.
It has already been mentioned that Ball was a major part in, what proved to be, his only major honour whilst at Everton. The League Title of 1969-70 was a season where Catterick’s abilities were at their highest point. The side which centred around Ball, will forever be remembered in Everton folklore.
Such was the longevity of the reigns of Moores and Catterick, the nickname ‘Cheque-book Champions’ that they were given in the 1962-63 season was carried into 1969-70 as Everton were crowned the ‘Mersey Millionaires’.[14] This may be a bit harsh on Catterick as it takes away from his achievements. Hodgson was keen to point out the fact that, ‘Seven of the 1970 team joined Everton straight from school’ is often overlooked.[15] He built a side combined with expensive signings and nurtured home-grown talent, guiding them to an impressive Division 1 League Title victory. The signing of Ball was inspired as he proved vital in this season and Catterick used Ball as his lynchpin in making a phenomenal side. Catterick’s ability that he displayed throughout his career, to spend money wisely and train current players effectively, proved invaluable in the building of this team.
The season began with a tough visit by the reigning champions. Leeds United had gone 34 games unbeaten when they arrived at Goodison Park, Everton put three past the champions and went on to win 3-2.[16] This proved a catalyst for the rest of the season and the impressive victory provided a vital 2 points toward the title.
Everton and Catterick were relentless and by January they were already tipped for not only winning the League but also the FA Cup. Winning two trophies in one season was and remains a rarity, Catterick’s side were playing such attractive and efficient football that they were tipped for success early in the season. Come January Everton were ‘already looking likely’ to win the League, ‘with the season just half-way done’ it was believed they could ‘quite easily find the extra sap’ to win the FA Cup too.[17] Although they went out of the FA Cup at the third round, this belief in the ability of Catterick’s side was rightly placed. So much so that it has been said that ‘no team in Britain contained as much individual skill and flair as did Everton’s in season 1969-70’.[18] This statement from Hodgson does seem rather over the top but they were no doubt an impressive outfit. If they had won the double this would have been a more appropriate quote, nevertheless the team that Catterick built was certainly the best side he constructed during his tenure.
Everton ended up only losing five games that season and with top goal scorer Joe Royle and great performances from Alan Ball and Alan Whittle, Catterick’s side was very impressive. They attained more points than any Everton team before them and the partnership of Moores’ money and Catterick’s tactics proved unbeatable.[19] This side must be considered as one of, if not the, best that Everton have produced in their history. It is fair to associate Catterick and this side with the golden age of football on Merseyside, as they provided the Everton fans with a side to be proud of and a merited Division 1 League Title.
The only criticism that can be attributed with this side is that this was the only major trophy Everton won in Catterick’s final seven seasons at Goodison Park. Had they been more consistent they would have and should have won more trophies. Some of this blame must be placed at the feet of Catterick for not utilising this talented team and providing more trophies for the Everton fans.
Endorsed by Neville Southall by retweeting on twitter - former Everton 'keeper
ARTICLE BY PETER JONES
TWITTER @PeterKennyJones
WEBSITE https://peterkj.wixsite.com/football-historian
REFERENCES
[1] Everton FC, ‘1969/70 Season’, at http://www.evertonfc.com/content/history/honours-and-records/championship-wins/196970-season accessed 11 Dec. 17.
[2] D. Hodgson, The Everton Football Book: League Champions 1969/70 (London, 1970), p.9.
[3] Ibid, p.17.
[4] A. Ball with J. Mossop, Alan Ball: Playing Extra Time (London, 2007), p.72.
[5] Ibid, p.74.
[6] S. Kelly, The Role of the Professional Football Manager (London, 2017), p.24.
[7] A. Ball with J. Mossop, Alan Ball: Playing Extra Time (London, 2007), p.74.
[8] A. Ball, It’s All About a Ball: An Autobiography (London, 1978), p.33.
[9] Brian Barwick and Gerald Sinstadt, The Great Derbies: Everton Versus Liverpool (London, 1988), p.37.
[10] Interview with B. Dunning, 13. Sep. 2017.
[11] K. Rogers, Born Not Manufactured: Five Decades of Inside Stories from the Heart of Everton Football Club (Liverpool, 2016), p.27.
[12] Ibid, p.88.
[13] Interview with E. Jones, 08. Sep. 2017.
[14] J. Jennings, Ever the Optimist (London, 2009), p.57.
[15] D. Hodgson, The Everton Football Book: League Champions 1969/70 (London, 1970), p.21.
[16] I. Ross & G. Smailes, Everton: A Complete Record (Derby, 1993), p.156.
[17] ‘I’m Tipping Everton for ‘The Double’’, Charles Buchan’s Football Monthly (London, January 1970).
[18] D. Hodgson, The Everton Football Book: League Champions 1969/70 (London, 1970), p.19.
[19] S. F. Kelly, Forever Everton: The Official Illustrated History of Everton FC (London, 1987), pp. 108-109.
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