- Birthdate: 18 April 1940
- Birthplace: Liverpool, England
- Other clubs: Everton (1962-72), Oldham Athletic (1972-73)
- Bought from: Local
- Signed for LFC: Joined 1955 - Professional 29.04.1957
- Liverpool debut: 23.09.1957
- Last appearance: 03.05.1961
- Debut goal: 05.09.1959
- Last goal: 01.04.1961
- Contract expiry: 01.09.1962
- Win ratio: 51.35% W:19 D:7 L:11
- Games/goals ratio: 6.17
- Total games/goals opposite LFC: 17 / 3
- LFC league games/goals: 36 / 6
- Total LFC games/goals: 37 / 6
Player Profile
Morrissey came through the junior ranks at Anfield before signing professional forms in May 1957 shortly after his seventeenth birthday. Kevin Lewis blocked his way into the team on the right wing but he played regularly from 28 January onwards in the 1960/61 season. Roger Hunt's injury opened the door for him as outside-left Alan A' Court was moved to the middle giving Morrissey a run in the side on the left. With the up-and-coming Ian Callaghan on their books Morrissey was deemed surplus to requirements by Liverpool's board of directors that decided to sell him over Shankly' head for a give-away £10,000 in 1962. Bill threatened to quit over this matter and actually wrote a resignation letter. Morrissey, who was a tough customer and uncompromising on the field, played over 250 games in a successful spell for the Blues who won the League Championship in 1963 and the FA Cup three years later.
Morrissey earned the respect of the Anfield Iron, Tommy Smith, in their many battles on Merseyside. "You don’t expect wingers to be the bravest of the brave. However, there was one who you handled with care, simply because he was likely to get the first tackle in and the second one if you let him! His name was Johnny Morrissey and he played for our arch-rivals," Smith said. "He was fearless. The Everton fans called him “Mogsy”. He looked more like a boxer than a footballer."
Appearances per season
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Total |
Opponent |
5 |
Scunthorpe United |
4 |
Sunderland |
3 |
Derby |
3 |
Stoke City |
2 |
Portsmouth |
2 |
Plymouth Argyle |
2 |
Swansea City |
2 |
Lincoln City |
2 |
Leyton Orient |
2 |
Bristol Rovers |
2 |
Sheffield United |
1 |
Charlton Athletic |
1 |
Luton Town |
1 |
Norwich City |
1 |
Huddersfield Town |
1 |
Ipswich Town |
1 |
Middlesbrough |
1 |
Bristol City |
1 |
Hull City |
Goals per season
A more detailed look at the player's goalscoring
Milestone Appearances
# |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
23.09.1957 |
Stoke City |
Victoria Ground |
League |
Milestone Goals
# |
Minute |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
62 |
05.09.1959 |
Sheffield United |
Bramall Lane |
League |
Related Articles
The People report on Sheffield United - Liverpool on 05.09.1959.
Related Quotes
"You don’t expect wingers to be the bravest of the brave. However there was one who you handled with care, simply because he was likely to get the first tackle in and the second one if you let him! His name was Johnny Morrissey and he played for our arch-rivals. The irony of all of this was that he once played for Liverpool. He was sold above the manager’s head and the boss was furious. John crossed the Park for a give-away £10,000 in 1962 and immediately helped the Blues win the League Championship in 1963. He was fearless. The Everton fans called him “Mogsy”. He looked more like a boxer than a footballer."
Tommy Smith on Johnny Morrissey
Scrapbook
14 March 1962
Melia marries 1961
Morrissey's match - 20 February 1971
Other Clubs
Club |
Season |
Club rank |
League apps |
League goals |
Total apps |
Total goals |
Everton |
1962-1963 |
England First Division |
28 |
7 |
33 |
8 |
Everton |
1963-1964 |
England First Division |
7 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
Everton |
1964-1965 |
England First Division |
25 |
5 |
32 |
6 |
Everton |
1965-1966 |
England First Division |
11 |
2 |
15 |
2 |
Everton |
1966-1967 |
England First Division |
31 |
6 |
40 |
7 |
Everton |
1967-1968 |
England First Division |
26 |
3 |
32 |
5 |
Everton |
1968-1969 |
England First Division |
40 |
5 |
49 |
6 |
Everton |
1969-1970 |
England First Division |
41 |
9 |
45 |
9 |
Everton |
1970-1971 |
England First Division |
36 |
6 |
47 |
7 |
Everton |
1971-1972 |
England First Division |
16 |
0 |
16 |
0 |
Oldham Athletic |
1972-1973 |
England Third Division |
6 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
Total |
267 |
45 |
322 |
52 |