h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

1960’s -1980’s, John Moores and the Birth of the Modern Game.

The 1960’s were to herald major changes in organisation and style of football in Britain. The abolition of the players’ maximum wage led to full-time professionals with increased levels of fitness and organisation and would galvanise British football paving the way for England to be crowned World Champions and see both Celtic and Manchester United be crowned European Champions. Everton would not be left behind and were to take a leading role in this revolution.

At the beginning of the decade Everton were comfortably ensconced in the top division but had not won a major trophy in over twenty years. Tottenham Hotspurs had won ‘The Double’ in 1961 but were being challenged hard by the likes of Manchester United. In order to help revive the Club’s fortunes the Everton board invited local businessman John Moores to join the board. Moores was originally from Manchester but had built his Littlewoods Empire on Merseyside and had taken Everton to heart, he would also become Liverpool’s largest shareholder. Making large sums available he quickly became chairman and he did not take long to show the extent of his ambition. Unhappy with the performance of the side he sacked the manager, Johnny Carey, whilst in a London taxicab. Everton were fourth at the time.

Moores turned to Sheffield Wednesday’s talented manager Harry Catterick. Moores backed Catterick’s judgement with record-breaking amounts of money, which earned Everton the nickname ‘The Bank of England Club’. Within a few years they had earned a new nickname- The School of Science. Despite his dour exterior, Catterick’s ethos was one of inventive flowing football and this reached its peak with his record-breaking side of 1970. Powered by the legendary midfield trio of Ball, Harvey and Kendall they strode away with the Championship, Catterick’s second at Everton.

As the club attempted to build on their success it appeared the club could only know bad luck. Evertonians could only shake their heads in despair as a procession of internationals exited the club. Colin Harvey, Joe Royle and Tommy Wright all had their careers cut short by tragic injuries. Retirements took key players and internal problems saw the departure of players such as Alan Ball. Despite spending heavily Catterick failed to build another side capable of challenging for honours. With the strains of the job beginning to take their toll on his health Moores replaced Catterick. Successive managers, despite heavy spending in the transfer market, failed to lift Everton into a serious Championship contender. To make matters even worse for Evertonians , their great rivals Liverpool had built a near perfect footballing Juggernaut at Anfield which swept all before them.

Whilst still owning the majority of Everton shares, John Moores advancing years and declining health led him to delegate the responsibility of running the Club to others. The Club was once again wallowing in the no-mans land of the top flight. Years of Liverpool success allied to an Everton barren spell left the club with a shrunken fan base and short of the financial firepower to be a big player. But things would get even worse before they would turn the corner.

I think I'll add this just before the future section. I'm tempted to simply call it "The bank of England & The School of Science", what do you think? This is will be a very good addition to the article I think. I may have to write a bit more about the eighties to make this fit, but that shouldn't be a problem, as I know a bit more about the eighties.

I'll get back to you once I've fit it in.

Terran

Love, is this a journal or an entry?

Anyway, after having bugged you for the better part of an hour or so, I thought I might actually come visit your space.

It was my part of an entry which I posted here to hide it. Obviously not very well

So, as stated, there is no porn on your space, but there is illicit entry material? How titilating!