On this day, December 2, 1972, the Sky Blues were playing under the direction of “young Turk” Gordon Milne (now a member of the CCFPA) and veteran (the late) Joe Mercer. The Sky Blues were favored to win because they were higher in the midtable than the Toffeemen and were coming off three straight victories (2-0 at Arsenal, 3-1 at home against West Ham United, and 3-0 at Highfield Road against Sheffield Wednesday). Their opponents in Division One at Highfield Road in front of 22,774 fans was Everton.
Alderson Brian in the Sky Blue
The much-needed victory for the “M Men” came only in the third minute of injury time in the second half, when Brian Alderson of Sky Blue scored the game-winning goal.
With David Lawson, the Toffeemen’s “keeper,” executing a masterful job and the visitors utilizing many time-wasting strategies and lining up to take down Tommy Hutchison whenever he shown ingenuity, City could have won by a score similar to that of a cricket match. Peter Scott of Everton was eventually booked for persistently fouling the deft and gaunt attacker.
Though Everton had their own opportunities—Bernie Wright and Rod Belfitt both missed—and the Toffees captain Howard Kendall did a good job of organizing his team, Everton went home empty-handed, almost stealing a point.
Scenery from the game
That day’s Sky Blue heroes included:
Tommy Hutchison was signed by Gordon, Joe, and Eddie Plumley in 1972.
Among them were the late Brian Alderson*, Colin Stein, Willie Carr, Tommy Hutchison, Wilf Smith, Roy Barry, Bobby Parker, Dennis Mortimer, and Neil Ramsbottom.
Before he could become a member of our Association, Brian tragically passed away in the United States in April 1997 at the terribly young age of 46. We are happy to report that every member of this team went on to join CCFPA.
The Everton team was arranged as follows:-
Bernie Wright, Mick Buckley, Rod Belfitt, John Hurst, John Connolly, David Lawson, Peter Scott, Henry Newton, Howard Kendall, Roger Kenyon, John McLaughlin (sub. Colin Harvey), and John ConnollyInstructor: Keith Styles
CCFC 1972-73
In the first week of April 1973, the Sky Blues faced their retribution at Goodison when they lost the league return match by a score of two goals, one from Joe Harper in each half.
The 1972–73 Sky Blues performed well enough to maintain their Division One ranking of nineteenth, five points clear of relegation.In the end, Everton was only a few spots ahead. The Toffeemen’s city rivals Liverpool were the Champions, and West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace were demoted to Division Two.