May 4, 1960
Wilkinson and Morris on Anfield transfer list
The surprise of the Liverpool retained list, which cuts the playing staff from 38 to 28, is the news that Doug Rudham, the club’s South African goalkeeper, has decided to retire from soccer and return to Johannesburg, where his parents and his wife’s parents are living.
The wonderful old war horse, Laurie Hughes, has also decided to retire from the game and concentrate on his business commitments; Des Palmer, the former Welsh international centre forwards, is given a free transfer, and the only two two players un-retained for whom fees are asked are half back Barry Wilkinson and winger Fred Morris. Neither should have difficulty in getting a League place elsewhere, if not in Second Division football.
Those given free transfers are: John Best, a wing half; Reg Blore, an inside forward or winger; Bob Early, a centre forward; Stan Woodall, a part-timer who plays at inside forward; and Bill McCarthy, full back.
Great gentleman.
Rudham, one of the game’s great gentlemen, joined Liverpool six seasons ago. He played originally for them as an amateur, having undertaken not to sign for an English club within a stipulated time after his return to South Africa with the amateur side which toured Britain a season before.
He is in the printing business with the Tranmere player, Tony Rowley, in Liverpool, and has enjoyed every minute of his career at Anfield, where until two seasons ago he was a regular between the sticks.
Wilkinson was also an amateur with the famous Bishop Auckland side before joining Liverpool as a professional. He is a splendid controller of the ball and has usually done very well at half back or inside forward in the senior team.
Morris, who quickly became an Anfield character, joined the club from Mansfield. He scored 16 times last season, mostly for the reserves and four of the goals came in the last four games. Wrexham, Tranmere and Shrewsbury have all had interest in him.
Retained are: Alan A’Court, Alan Arnell, Gerry Byrne, Alan Banks, Ian Callaghan, R. Davies, Phil Green, Jimmy Harrower, Dave Hickson, Roger Hunt, Allan Jones, Tommy Lawrence, Tommy Leishman, Billy Liddell, Jimmy Melia, John Molyneux, Ronnie Moran, Johnny Morrissey, John Parry, Sammy Reid, Bert Slater, Johnny Wheeler, Dick White, Willie Carlin, Frank Twist, Phil Ferns, John Nicholson.
(Source: Liverpool Echo: May 4, 1960; via http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) © 2018 Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
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