Harry Catterick
The introverted Everton manager who won two league titles and the FA Cup.
Harry Catterick (26 November 1919 – 9 March 1985) was an English football player and manager. As a player, he played for Everton and Crewe Alexandra, with a career interrupted by World War II. He is most notable as a very successful manager, winning the First Division twice and the FA Cup with Everton.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 26 November 1919
- Birthplace
- Darlington, England
- Died
- 9 March 1985
- Place of death
- Goodison Park, Liverpool, England
- Position
- Centre-forward
Lore & Background
Catterick took over at Everton in April 1961 from Johnny Carey. Under his authoritarian guidance, Everton won the First Division in 1962–63 and the FA Cup in 1966. He narrowly lost the 1968 FA Cup Final, but the same young team dominated the 1969–70 season, winning the First Division again. Catterick upheld Everton's tradition of cultured, attacking football. 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 was persuaded to accept a non-executive role at Everton on 11 April 1973, then managed Preston North End from August 1975 to May 1977. After that, he worked as a scout for Southampton.
Reader's Guide
Catterick's managerial honours: with Sheffield Wednesday, the Football League Second Division title in 1958–59; with Everton, the First Division in 1962–63 and 1969–70, the FA Cup in 1965–66, and the FA Charity Shield in 1963 and 1970. He died of a heart attack on 9 March 1985 after watching Everton draw 2–2 with Ipswich Town in an FA Cup Sixth Round match at Goodison Park.
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.
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