The Mail Bag
Johnny Morrisey
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Having been a fan since the 50s, and a regular at matches since the early 60s, I have seen a lot of players, good and not so good, come and go! Some names I will admit, do not register to me when they crop up on various sites (probably senior moments?) but I put it down to the really bad years, and that they probably only played 15/20 games, so I can say that I am amazed, that a wonderfully skilful and team player like Johnny Morrisey, never gets a mention on these or other website pages!
I have only been on the net for 30 months, but can honestly say I have never seen an article on him or his name mentioned, and I have never seen anyone querying his present situation? Can someone tell me why this is so? As he really is a big part of our history in a fabulous 60s side.
Jay Capper, Posted 07/07/2008 at 16:15:45
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I’m 28, so not really even old enough to remember John Morrissey’s lad John, jnr coming through the ranks in the 80s, but funnily enough I was trying to do a little bit of research on Johnny Morrissey myself at the weekend and came up against the same brick wall Jay.
The clips on the Official History of him in action are great, how we could use a properly left-sided wide player like him now. And to think he quit the Sh*te to become a True Blue legend like one of my boyhood heroes Kevin Sheedy!!
Anyone with any recollections, or recent sightings of the great man at Goodison, let’s hear about them!
The clips on the Official History of him in action are great, how we could use a properly left-sided wide player like him now. And to think he quit the Sh*te to become a True Blue legend like one of my boyhood heroes Kevin Sheedy!!
Anyone with any recollections, or recent sightings of the great man at Goodison, let’s hear about them!
We stole Johnny from the RS for £10,000 ? best bargain we?ve ever had, apparently the deal was done behind Bill Shankly?s back.
I was in College with his son in Hugh Baird in the late 80s and early 90s. I went to his house a few times and have ?held? his championship medals from the 62/63 and 69/70!!
Needless to say I was over the moon. That might sound really sad but so what!!!!!!!!
Needless to say I was over the moon. That might sound really sad but so what!!!!!!!!
Simar,
I didnt think he was in the 69/70 side although I do seem to remember him planting a few on Joe Royle’s head.
I know Derek Temple replaced him in the 66 cup winning side and Johnny got into some legal bother over stolen cigarettes he had in his shop in Brownlow Hill.
I didnt think he was in the 69/70 side although I do seem to remember him planting a few on Joe Royle’s head.
I know Derek Temple replaced him in the 66 cup winning side and Johnny got into some legal bother over stolen cigarettes he had in his shop in Brownlow Hill.
Simar,
I stand corrected here is His career analysis from efchistory.co.uk:-
Johnny Morrisey - 1962 - 1971:
Signed from Merseyside neighbours Liverpool at the start of the 1962-63 season, Johnny Morrissey turned out to be one of many canny signings by Harry Catterick. A left winger in the classic mould he was having trouble breaking into the Liverpool side and when the opportunity came to join Everton he jumped at the chance.
Morrissey could not have made a more dramatic start to his Everton career. He was handed his debut 22 September 1962 against of all teams, Liverpool, the first meeting between the two clubs for eleven years. The Liverpool manager, Bill Shankley, was not happy with Morrissey’s transfer and he must have been further aggrieved as the youngster scored in a 2-2 draw. Everton went on to win the league title that season and Morrissey became a regular in the side, playing in 33 of the remaining games in all competitions.
The next three seasons were a bit stop, start and it was season 1966-67 before Morrissey was to establish himself as a first team regular. The following season saw Everton in their second FA Cup final in three seasons with Johnny Morrissey scoring the winner in the semi final against Leeds United. The Blues went into the final as firm favorites and despite having most of the play went down 1-0.
Morrissey was to miss just three games during the next two seasons, the second of these saw him claim another league championship winners medal. Playing in all but one game, scoring nine goals, Morrissey was in integral part of the Everton side that won the title by nine points from Leeds United.
Johnny Morrissey only played for two more season with Everton and left the club in 1971 following a series of injuries that restricted his appearances in the team. He moved to Oldham Athletic but only played four games before he retired from football.
Everton playing record (figures in brackets are substitution appearances):
League appearances 257 (2), goals 43
FA Cup appearances 29, goals 3
League Cup appearances 8, goals 1
European appearances 17, goals 3
I stand corrected here is His career analysis from efchistory.co.uk:-
Johnny Morrisey - 1962 - 1971:
Signed from Merseyside neighbours Liverpool at the start of the 1962-63 season, Johnny Morrissey turned out to be one of many canny signings by Harry Catterick. A left winger in the classic mould he was having trouble breaking into the Liverpool side and when the opportunity came to join Everton he jumped at the chance.
Morrissey could not have made a more dramatic start to his Everton career. He was handed his debut 22 September 1962 against of all teams, Liverpool, the first meeting between the two clubs for eleven years. The Liverpool manager, Bill Shankley, was not happy with Morrissey’s transfer and he must have been further aggrieved as the youngster scored in a 2-2 draw. Everton went on to win the league title that season and Morrissey became a regular in the side, playing in 33 of the remaining games in all competitions.
The next three seasons were a bit stop, start and it was season 1966-67 before Morrissey was to establish himself as a first team regular. The following season saw Everton in their second FA Cup final in three seasons with Johnny Morrissey scoring the winner in the semi final against Leeds United. The Blues went into the final as firm favorites and despite having most of the play went down 1-0.
Morrissey was to miss just three games during the next two seasons, the second of these saw him claim another league championship winners medal. Playing in all but one game, scoring nine goals, Morrissey was in integral part of the Everton side that won the title by nine points from Leeds United.
Johnny Morrissey only played for two more season with Everton and left the club in 1971 following a series of injuries that restricted his appearances in the team. He moved to Oldham Athletic but only played four games before he retired from football.
Everton playing record (figures in brackets are substitution appearances):
League appearances 257 (2), goals 43
FA Cup appearances 29, goals 3
League Cup appearances 8, goals 1
European appearances 17, goals 3
The Guardian did one of their ?we need a bit of filler? blogs this weekend? so did football?s hardmen. It?s a joy ? a fair few Blues in there and a late mention for JM. He was terrific ? hard as my mother?s gravy. Usually it was full backs putting the fear of God into wingers. JM was the other way round. Beat the man, get to the corner flag and whip it it. Along with the great Dave Thomas, one of the touchline gods of Goodison.
I seem to remember he was related some way to Tommy Smith and was one of the few he couldn?t intimidate, in fact the rumour was TS was wary of The wee man himself.
I have a vague memory of Smith scything in at a great rate of knots, only to have the even nippier Morrissey jumping up and over to come down with both boots on his leg and Smith's look of discretion being the better part of valour... priceless.
I have a vague memory of Smith scything in at a great rate of knots, only to have the even nippier Morrissey jumping up and over to come down with both boots on his leg and Smith's look of discretion being the better part of valour... priceless.
Hi Jay .. He was a great character around town. Opened a Boxing /social club with Terry McHale ( American Bar) in Islington, I worked on its conversion , though I don’t think it lasted long. If that semi final goal mentioned was the one at Burnden Park I think you will find it was a daisy cutter from Colin Harvey...Oh happy days
Moggsy one of my all time favourites, as hard as nails ,skilful and couldnt be knocked off the ball.an old time Scottie Roader.Scored the penalty in the semi final at Old Trafford against Leeds in 68 after Jack Charlton handled
Johnny Morrissey was brilliant.
He would run through a brick wall if he had a chance of getting the ball.
He scared fullbacks shitless
Alas in todays climate he wouldn’t last on the pitch for more than 5 mins. Oh for the days of real footballers.
He would run through a brick wall if he had a chance of getting the ball.
He scared fullbacks shitless
Alas in todays climate he wouldn’t last on the pitch for more than 5 mins. Oh for the days of real footballers.
He lived down Athol St - were scottie ended and Stanley rd started - hard, hard man
Jackie charlton caused uproar by admitting to the press that he kept a "little black book"
In it was the names of all the forwards whose cards he had marked
We played Leeds shortly after the story had hit all the nationals.
Charlton was strutting about GP like he owned it, when a ball dropped just in front of him, as he went to clear, Moggsy nearly cut him in two
"put that in your fucken book" he said to Charlton as he trotted away
Duncans right though, he wouldnt have lasted 5 minutes with todays refs
Jackie charlton caused uproar by admitting to the press that he kept a "little black book"
In it was the names of all the forwards whose cards he had marked
We played Leeds shortly after the story had hit all the nationals.
Charlton was strutting about GP like he owned it, when a ball dropped just in front of him, as he went to clear, Moggsy nearly cut him in two
"put that in your fucken book" he said to Charlton as he trotted away
Duncans right though, he wouldnt have lasted 5 minutes with todays refs
My most vivid, memorable and happy memory of Johnnie was a goal he scored into the Kop end that capped off our stunning and at that time totally unexpected 4 ? 0 hammering of the RS.
Johnnie, having skipped over a defenders two footed lunge paused just outside the left side of the box with the ball underfoot.
Audaciously he goaded Tommy Younger the huge RS keeper with a cheeky curled forefinger to come and get it.
Younger raced out of his area then rapidly backtracked as Johnnie coolly chipped over the big man and into the net.
It is impossible to adequately describe the feeling of rapture at the final whistle.
Other memories about that particular game include prior to kick off the planting by two RS idiots dressed in supposed doctors robes with a giant Purple Heart nailed to a pole and planting it in the centre spot.
That my friends is another and as yet untold story.
Johnnie, having skipped over a defenders two footed lunge paused just outside the left side of the box with the ball underfoot.
Audaciously he goaded Tommy Younger the huge RS keeper with a cheeky curled forefinger to come and get it.
Younger raced out of his area then rapidly backtracked as Johnnie coolly chipped over the big man and into the net.
It is impossible to adequately describe the feeling of rapture at the final whistle.
Other memories about that particular game include prior to kick off the planting by two RS idiots dressed in supposed doctors robes with a giant Purple Heart nailed to a pole and planting it in the centre spot.
That my friends is another and as yet untold story.
Jamie R
I was behind the goal at Burnden when Harvey scored the one goal winner of the game.
Greg, the United keeper had started to his right in anticipation of a shot but the ball trickled into the opposite corner.
I thought at the time that Colin had mishit the shot thus causing Greg to be off balance. Later Colin confirmed that it was a slice of the outside of his boot.
I was behind the goal at Burnden when Harvey scored the one goal winner of the game.
Greg, the United keeper had started to his right in anticipation of a shot but the ball trickled into the opposite corner.
I thought at the time that Colin had mishit the shot thus causing Greg to be off balance. Later Colin confirmed that it was a slice of the outside of his boot.
I compiled a ’ hard knock ’ team and sent it to another blue site about 3 weeks ago (didn’t get published mind). Usual suspects Keown, Duncan, Rioch etc. But yes I definately included Johnny M in the side. Boy could he handle himself. Nasty on the pitch, so glad he was blue.
One JM memory is of us playing Leeds - possibly the 69-70 championship season - and we are winning by one goal late on. Johnny gets the ball, takes it into the church corner under the clock, gets to the corner flag, stops, puts his foot on the ball, and casually lifts his arm up as if looking at a watch on his wrist. Bremner, Giles, Charlton, Reaney and all those other little Leeds sh*ts of the time all enraged but helpless. Priceless.
Around that time and just after I used to deliver milk to his shop. There was one shop down on the dock road and one in Oriel Road, Bootle. One shop was his and one his dad’s I think. I was in absolute awe of him whenever I saw him in one of the shops. Even at a tender age I knew how good he was.
Sometimes had to take some top up stock to his house as well ( milk not ciggies !). He was living in Bootle up between Southport Road and Fernhill Road by Derby Park.
Don’t know what he is doing or where now. Have never seen him around on match day over the years but I’m sure I will just have been wrong place, wrong time.
One JM memory is of us playing Leeds - possibly the 69-70 championship season - and we are winning by one goal late on. Johnny gets the ball, takes it into the church corner under the clock, gets to the corner flag, stops, puts his foot on the ball, and casually lifts his arm up as if looking at a watch on his wrist. Bremner, Giles, Charlton, Reaney and all those other little Leeds sh*ts of the time all enraged but helpless. Priceless.
Around that time and just after I used to deliver milk to his shop. There was one shop down on the dock road and one in Oriel Road, Bootle. One shop was his and one his dad’s I think. I was in absolute awe of him whenever I saw him in one of the shops. Even at a tender age I knew how good he was.
Sometimes had to take some top up stock to his house as well ( milk not ciggies !). He was living in Bootle up between Southport Road and Fernhill Road by Derby Park.
Don’t know what he is doing or where now. Have never seen him around on match day over the years but I’m sure I will just have been wrong place, wrong time.
69/70 was my first full season watching Everton and Johnny Morrisey is a vivid memory of that season. As everyone said he was as hard as nails but also incredibly quick and skillful. Whilst the ’holy trinity’ was the engine room of that great team, JM was always there as an escape route for them. He also combined well with Ray Wilson or Keith Newton down the left wing. I would love to know where he is now.
Still one of the very few players to transfer across from the RS and , if that wasn’t enough, his son played for us as well.
I remember him very well. When people talk of the singer with the same name, I still think of Johnny first! If that makes sense.
I remember him very well. When people talk of the singer with the same name, I still think of Johnny first! If that makes sense.
Just another thought. I’m sure he moved from Bootle down to Burbo Bank just along from Crosby Baths in the early 70’s.
That seems to ring a bell.
That seems to ring a bell.
I saw Johnny play most of his games at Goodison and he was one of the stars of the team. One of his tricks was to run down the wing with the ball and when a defender tried to take him out he would push the ball a bit further forward and then jump over the defenders outstretched leg. Then away he would go, uncatchable. His corner taking techniques were just as remarkable and I recall once or twice he actually scored straight from a corner. Remarkable man and a remarkable player. Ah memories, if only we had youtube then.
Patrick, think it may have been Palace (away) early in the Championship season when he scored direct from a corner.
Think Ronnie Goodlass may have done it at Sunderland around 79 / 80 as well, hazy memory but something tells me that might have been a late winner.
Think Ronnie Goodlass may have done it at Sunderland around 79 / 80 as well, hazy memory but something tells me that might have been a late winner.
A good few years ago now, I was talking to Billy Bremner after he spoke at a Sportsman’s Dinner we organised (what a nice man he was, by the way). In talking about the hard men, he reckoned Morrisey was one of the real hard men of football in the ’60’s. He said a lot of people had the reputation, but didn’t really live up to it on the pitch, whereas Morrisey was the quiet man who went right through you.
One of my recollections of him was his first minute goal in the Monchengladbach game which went to a penalty shoot out at Goodison.
One of my recollections of him was his first minute goal in the Monchengladbach game which went to a penalty shoot out at Goodison.
I am surprised that no-one has mentioned what a fantastic sense of humour he had. I can visualise him now when we won the FA Cup... skipping around with his socks rolled down and wearing a huge topper type of hat - he could always come out with a funny remark.... oh shit, I am thinking of Johnny Bailey!!!
I saw my first game at Goodison in 67-68 season and remember being quite baffled by Morrisey.
I think it was because as a kid, I was so conditioned to players being certain..um.. ’shapes’.
Keepers were always big (often fat)
Centre halves were generally big muscle-bound plant-pots.
Midfield generals were ’Arteta-shaped’.
Midfield Dynamos?
Ball, Bremner or Reid shaped.
Forwards could be all shapes but many were Joe Royle shaped.
Wingers though were almost always Dave Thomas-shaped.
Morrisey on the other hand looked like...well, imagine if Bluto had done a Gillette ad.
The only similar shaped, out-and-out winger, was the feller Forest had when they won promotion (then the League, European cup etc).
John Robertson I think he was called (shorter but with that same barrel shape)
I do remember a few years back, Jack Charlton saying (after to be carried off, after having his leg almost broken by Morrisey) that after the game Morrisey came to see him.
Charlton said ’I’d calmed down so was prepared to accept JM’s apology’
However it never came.
Morrisey stuck his head around the door, said something along the lines of "you won’t be gettin’ a fucking win bonus for a few weeks", laughed and left.
Charlton tried to get at him but dragging a dead leg, had to wait for another opportunity.
Morrisey had retired before he ever got another chance.
Charton did say "Oh we get on fine now me and John"
I think it was because as a kid, I was so conditioned to players being certain..um.. ’shapes’.
Keepers were always big (often fat)
Centre halves were generally big muscle-bound plant-pots.
Midfield generals were ’Arteta-shaped’.
Midfield Dynamos?
Ball, Bremner or Reid shaped.
Forwards could be all shapes but many were Joe Royle shaped.
Wingers though were almost always Dave Thomas-shaped.
Morrisey on the other hand looked like...well, imagine if Bluto had done a Gillette ad.
The only similar shaped, out-and-out winger, was the feller Forest had when they won promotion (then the League, European cup etc).
John Robertson I think he was called (shorter but with that same barrel shape)
I do remember a few years back, Jack Charlton saying (after to be carried off, after having his leg almost broken by Morrisey) that after the game Morrisey came to see him.
Charlton said ’I’d calmed down so was prepared to accept JM’s apology’
However it never came.
Morrisey stuck his head around the door, said something along the lines of "you won’t be gettin’ a fucking win bonus for a few weeks", laughed and left.
Charlton tried to get at him but dragging a dead leg, had to wait for another opportunity.
Morrisey had retired before he ever got another chance.
Charton did say "Oh we get on fine now me and John"
My brother John and I saw all the home games and about 7 or 8 of the away games in the 69/70 championship season. The team was so good throughout that you could change your favourite player from week to week. But everyone loved Muggsy. Great ball player and superb crosser, totally committed to the cause - and hard?
Favourite moment - 50/50 ball with Tommy Smith. Goodison Park shook as both men went down. Johnnie got up and danced away. Smith awaited the trainer’s magic sponge in a supine position.
OK, the game and the refs etc have changed, but someone with his talent would still make it today. It would take a good coach/manager to spot the potential, but I’d love to see some more like him in today’s game.
Favourite moment - 50/50 ball with Tommy Smith. Goodison Park shook as both men went down. Johnnie got up and danced away. Smith awaited the trainer’s magic sponge in a supine position.
OK, the game and the refs etc have changed, but someone with his talent would still make it today. It would take a good coach/manager to spot the potential, but I’d love to see some more like him in today’s game.
And no-one’s mentioned the nickname Ale’ouse.....I started going regularly in 1966/67 season, so saw a lot of the great man. It’s so unfair that a couple of seasons on Premiership pay can set up some mediocrity for life, when players of that generation are frequently living a very modest old age financially.
His goal at Elland Road in the 68 semi against Leeds sent me into cries of boyish delight. Jimmy Husband whipped the ball back after, I think, Paul Reaney hit a weak clearance and Sprake was off his line. Charlton handled in the top left hand corner. It was on telly on Sunday, but no doubt the tape has been wiped, like most football from the 1960s.
His goal at Elland Road in the 68 semi against Leeds sent me into cries of boyish delight. Jimmy Husband whipped the ball back after, I think, Paul Reaney hit a weak clearance and Sprake was off his line. Charlton handled in the top left hand corner. It was on telly on Sunday, but no doubt the tape has been wiped, like most football from the 1960s.
Johnny was a big mate of Jimmy Tarbuck ... and I recall he had his teeth knocked out in a pre-season friendly once ... Johnny I mean.
Steve Green, yes I recall that incident with Johnny at the corner flag against Leeds. I have a picture of it in the EFC Souvenir Programme at the start of the 70-71 season. I believe Johnny is a retired businessman, still living in Liverpool, and has white hair now. I go to some functions of former players (met Husband, West, Labone), and Johnny is the only player from that great 69-70 team alive today that doesn?t attend these meetings at some time, which as Howard Kendall has said (somewhere on the net I read it) is a shame. He was naturally right-footed, but crossed the ball equally well with either foot. Watch his involvement here on youtube in 2 Everton goals at Anfield: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=brwtFC87OWw
David Thompson - "One of my recollections of him was his first minute goal in the Monchengladbach game which went to a penalty shootout at Goodison?. Here?s a link to that goal - note Johnny trying to put his hair back into place after just about every teammate ruffles it after his goal: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rzJiu1mmHWE
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1 Posted 07/07/2008 at 19:09:41
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He was in the team when I started supporting EFC.....very decent player indeed.