Harry Catterick

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Lore & Background

Catterick took over from Johnny Carey in April 1961. He soon began to motivate the team and made some astute signings. Under his authoritarian guidance, Everton won the First Division championship in the 1962–63 season and the 1966 FA Cup Final. Although he narrowly lost the 1968 FA Cup Final, the same young team eventually dominated the 1969–70 season, winning the First Division again, one point short of a record points total. Catterick upheld Everton's tradition of cultured, attacking football. Many tipped Everton to dominate the 1970s under Catterick. However, a dip in the team's morale saw Everton struggle in the league the following season. The sale of Alan Ball to Arsenal in December 1971 came as a surprise to supporters. The struggle by a previously great team seriously affected Catterick's health, and he suffered a severe heart attack on 5 January 1972 after watching the League Cup semi-final between West Ham United and Stoke City on 4 January 1972. He spent 14 days in hospital in Sheffield, being discharged on 19 January, and returned later that season, but later said that he felt it took him twelve months to fully recover.

In Their Own Story

While the manager of rivals Liverpool, Bill Shankly, was an extrovert, Catterick was the opposite, an introvert. He disliked that the press gave information about his team out to the public, even simple details such as the formation. He ensured that the players on the teamsheet were only listed in alphabetical order so that rival managers would not know the lineup. He also disliked televised games as he wanted to keep Everton's playing style out of the public eye. Shankly was the opposite, welcoming televised matches as he felt it frightened opposing teams. Catterick once gave an 'exclusive' story to a journalist that Everton had missed out on the signing of Preston North End's Howard Kendall and that Kendall had in fact opted to sign for Liverpool. The journalist published the story in the newspaper but hours later Kendall had in fact signed for Everton. It is claimed that Catterick had manipulated the media to score points off the field against Shankly.

Reader's Guide

Catterick's managerial career began with Crewe, then Rochdale, before he replaced Eric Taylor at Sheffield Wednesday in 1958. He led the team to the Second Division title in 1959 and reached the FA Cup semi-final the following season, losing to Blackburn Rovers. The following season, Wednesday were league runners-up to Tottenham Hotspur, who won the Double. Catterick left just before the end of the season following an approach from Everton. At Everton, he won the First Division in 1962–63 and 1969–70, and the FA Cup in 1965–66. He also won the FA Charity Shield in 1963 and 1970. After leaving his managerial role at Everton in 1973, he took a non-executive role until becoming manager of Preston North End in August 1975, a role he remained in up to May 1977. In the Summer of 1977 Catterick wrote to the FA inquiring about the England managerial vacancy but never received a reply. After that Catterick worked as a scout for Southampton under the management of Lawrie MacMenemy.

Did You Know?

• Catterick made his league debut at age 26 in August 1946, after the Second World War interrupted his career.
• He scored 55 goals in 71 wartime games for Everton, and also played for Manchester United and Stockport County during the war.
• Catterick suffered a severe heart attack on 5 January 1972 after watching the League Cup semi-final between West Ham United and Stoke City on 4 January 1972, spending 14 days in hospital.
• Catterick died of a heart attack at Goodison Park after watching Everton draw 2–2 with Ipswich Town in an FA Cup match on 9 March 1985.

Rise from Wartime Player to League Champion

Catterick's father, Harry Catterick Sr, was a footballer and coach for Stockport County. Catterick Jr played at amateur level for Stockport Schoolboys and for Cheadle Heath Nomads before signing part-time for Everton as an 18-year-old in 1937. He was an apprentice marine engine engineer. However, his professional career coincided with the Second World War so that his opportunities to play were limited. His wartime record with Everton saw him score 55 goals in 71 games. During the war, he also played for Manchester United and Stockport County. He finally made his league debut in August 1946, aged 26.

The Everton Era: Titles and Tactical Secrecy

Catterick took over from Johnny Carey in April 1961. He soon began to motivate the team and made some astute signings. Under his authoritarian guidance, Everton won the First Division championship in the 1962–63 season and the 1966 FA Cup Final. Although he narrowly lost the 1968 FA Cup Final, the same young team eventually dominated the 1969–70 season, winning the First Division again, one point short of a record points total. Catterick upheld Everton's tradition of cultured, attacking football. Many tipped Everton to dominate the 1970s under Catterick. However, a dip in the team's morale saw Everton struggle in the league the following season. The sale of Alan Ball to Arsenal in December 1971 came as a surprise to supporters.

Health Crisis and Final Managerial Chapters

The struggle by a previously great team seriously affected Catterick's health, and he suffered a severe heart attack on 5 January 1972 near Sheffield after watching the League Cup semi-final between West Ham United and Stoke City. He spent 14 days in hospital in Sheffield, being discharged on 19 January, and returned later that season, but later said that he felt it took him twelve months to fully recover. He was persuaded to accept a non-executive role at the club on 11 April 1973 by chairman John Moores. He held that role until becoming manager of Preston North End in August 1975. It was a role he remained in up to May 1977. In the Summer of 1977 Catterick wrote to the FA inquiring about the England managerial vacancy but never received a reply. After that Catterick worked as a scout for Southampton under the management of Lawrie MacMenemy.

Tragic Passing and Lasting Legacy

Catterick died of a heart attack shortly after watching Everton draw 2–2 with Ipswich Town in an FA Cup Sixth Round match at Goodison Park on 9 March 1985. He was 65 years old. His death came almost exactly five years after former Everton striker Dixie Dean had died while watching a game at the ground, also of a heart attack. Everton won the replay 1–0 and the players wore black armbands in Catterick's memory. He is buried in the graveyard of St Anne's Church, St Anne's-on-the-Sea, Lancashire, after a funeral held there six days after his death. His gravestone bears the Everton motto, 'Nil satis nisi optimum'. Catterick was portrayed by Colin Welland in the 1997 TV film The Fix, which featured the events of the 1964 football betting scandal.