1962/63 Season

Harry Catterick will live long in the minds of Everton fans as one of the greatest managers their side has ever seen.

In 1962/63 Catterick led a side containing legends Roy Vernon, Brian Labone, Alex Young and Alex Parker to a season of unprecedented home triumphs as they ended the season unbeaten at Goodison and with the league title sewn up.

Rarely can a ground have held so much fear for visiting players as Goodison did that season, an average crowd of 51,469 turned out to see the Blues, over 70,000 watched the first Merseyside derby in 11 years.

Dennis Stevens came in from Bolton to add steel to the style of Vernon and Labone and with Tony Kay added to midfield the Toffees were a formidable outfit.

The Blues notched six wins from their first seven games and stayed on or about top spot all season.

The Big Freeze hit football that winter, Everton didn't play any games from December 22 to February 12, and it affected the team's form when play was resumed.

Catterick's side lost at Arsenal and Sheffield United and could only draw with Blackburn and Liverpool, but just as it seemed they were losing their grip on the title they found their feet and left contenders Spurs and Burnley trailing in their wake.

The title was confirmed with the last game of the season; a 4-1 home win over Fulham, Roy Vernon scoring a hat-trick to cap his most successful season with the club.

A final points total of 61 was a club record.