Stories

The People’s Club – Living Up to Their Name

Bradley Cates Stories , , ,

In 2002, in his first press conference as Everton manager, David Moyes called Everton “The People’s Club”. It is fair to say that the club has lived up to the name so many times. But one time in particular shows exactly why they deserve the moniker.

In 2011, the charity “Everton in the Community” released by a book detailing the stories from Everton supporters. Some included times when Everton gave their supporters an experience they will never forget. Come hither Mags Fuller and her daughter, Megan.

Mags Fuller from South Milford in North Yorkshire said she became an Everton supporter when she was on a nurse training course in Kent. Another trainee nurse was an Everton supporter, who moved from Liverpool to Kent for the course. Her love for Everton was so great, she wore an Everton shirt in all the lectures she attended. However, she developed cancer and it started to spread, and she accepted that she wasn’t going to beat it. So she gave her beloved Everton shirt to Mags and asked her to support Everton after she died, saying “Once Everton has touched you, you’ll never be the same.” RIP Julie Hall.

Mags Fuller stuck to Julie’s promise and became an ardent Everton supporter. Her daughter decided to become an Everton supporter too, and Mags said her daughter’s bedroom was turned into an Everton shrine. However, she then spoke about a shocking incident involving her daughter.

A couple of years ago, something dreadful happened to my daughter: it emerged she had been groomed by a paedophile and we went through absolute hell. The police child support staff said that I should try and do something really special for her, something that would take her mind off things – but being a single mum without much money, it was difficult, and I knew I wasn’t in a position to do much.

Mags decided to do something special for her daughter, so she contacted Everton in order to give her a signed photo of her favourite player, Tim Cahill. Everton agreed, but they didn’t stop there.

I received a call from a lady called Sue Palmer, David Moyes’ personal assistant – I was gobsmacked when she said who she was and even more gobsmacked with what followed. She told me that the Everton manager had read the letter, and that the football club was horrified by what Megan had been through, she went on today that the club wanted to do something more than just send a signed picture, and we were both invited up to see the Blues’ match against Stoke City, where I was told Megan would be introduced to the players – I was totally stunned.

Megan didn’t know anything about it this. She was none the wiser right up to match day. Mags told Megan that they would be going to Goodison Park, but only to “soak up the match atmosphere and visit the club shop.” But as the day went on, Megan became suspicious. She knew something was going on after a photographer introduced himself to her:

You must be Megan. We’ve heard what a very brave girl you’ve been.

They were then led out towards the Goodison pitch for a photo shoot. At that moment, the players arrived – the first being Tim Cahill.

He walked up to us, put his arms around Megan kissed her on the cheek, and said, “You must be Megan!” It was that exact moment that my beautiful daughter got her smile back. That day changed her from being a girl scared to sleep on her own, or even go out of the house, someone who rarely smiled or laughed because of what she had been through, into the happiest girl imaginable.

That day, Tim Cahill, and Everton as a whole, turned Megan’s life around with just one simple kind gesture. It also cemented Mags and Megan’s love for Everton and their reputation as the People’s Club.

I will never be able to thank Everton Football Club enough for what they did for us that day, a day that proved to me why they are called the People’s Club. I love you, Everton, and I always will.

And they also had a picture with Tim Cahill, to give themselves something to treasure forever.

mags-fuller-tim-cahill
Megan, Tim Cahill and Mags. (Via Mags’ Twitter profile @evertonianmags)

Mags Fuller has since become a devotee to raising money for charity. She has ran in the Great North Run in 2012 and raised over £200 for Macmillan Cancer Support on her JustGiving page. In 2014, she ran in the Liverpool Half-Marathon and raised over £270 for Parkinson’s UK on her Virgin Money Giving page.

There is nothing about how Megan is doing (from what I could find). But I’m sure that she still thinks about her special day everyday, and how proud she is to be an Everton supporter.

The Origins of Prince Rupert’s Tower

Bradley Cates Stories , ,

Prince Rupert’s Tower is known for being the centrepiece of Everton’s crest. It has been on the crest in 1938 and from 1978 onwards. But what exactly is it?

Introduction

Prince Rupert’s Tower (also known as Everton Lock-Up) was built in 1787 on Everton Brow. It was originally used to hold minor criminals and drunks overnight, who would then be brought to the magistrates. The resulting punishments would have been either something similar to community service or even something as drastic as a death sentence.

Early days

In 1830, Robert Syers wrote a book called “The History of Everton” and wrote this about Prince Rupert’s Tower:

On the south, or in the front of these last-named dwellings, and separated from them by an ancient foot-path over the brow, lies a triangular-shaped patch of land, bounded on all sides by the public roads; this is locality 61, a, the property of the township. This spot of ground has been frequently enclosed with strong wood rails, at the township’s expense, but mischief, malice, or wantonness have constantly destroyed them; it has been lately determined, however, to have this lot surrounded with a strong, but low stone wall, surmounted handsome iron railings, within which the whole lot is now enclosed, and the interior is in the course of preparation for the reception of shrubs and pleasure-ground decorations; so that these things, together with the tasty manner in which the stone-jug or bridewell, which stands in the centre, has been lately embellished, greatly ornament this part of the township.

Syers, however, criticised the Tower and demanded it should be demolished:

The bridewell is a mere stone-jug or watch-box, a diminutive building, and, as regards its interior, a dark, damp strong-hold, for the temporary reception and incarceration of the unruly, the vicious, and the criminal, that is, until a magistrate’s committal consigns such unfortunate human beings to a more fit and congenial place of confinement. This apology for a bridewell ought to be taken down—it is a discredit to the community, whose good taste and liberal views, in most cases, lead them to do what is proper and needful; a trifle assessed on the annual value of each one’s property would serve to erect, on a small scale, a suit of buildings on this eligible spot. The place would be highly convenient for the purpose; and the buildings ought to be sufficiently spacious for Everton’s parochial and constabulary affairs to be conducted therein. But it would only cost what might be termed a bagatelle, so far as regards the wealthy settlers and land-owners of Everton, were they to erect a handsome and spacious suit of buildings, which should comprise a set of offices for the high-constable and tax-collector; a secure, convenient, and decent jail or bridewell; and a good sized apartment, capable of containing the inhabitants of the township, whenever they might be convened together to deliberate on public affairs.

He didn’t stop his hatred for the Tower there:

In the year 1787 a stone-jug or bridewell was built on the triangular patch of land lately walled and railed in, at the upper part of Everton-brow: such an erection might have suited the temper and the exigencies of the times in which it was erected; but how does it suit the temper and the exigencies of these enlightened times? To reply, would be to reflect on the intellectual attainments of the present inhabitants of Everton.

Surely this apology for a stronghold will be razed to the ground, and its site occupied with something more becoming and useful—and what would be the expense? so little, indeed, that it would be scarcely felt, comparatively speaking, by such a wealthy and respectable community as that of Everton; whilst the advantages to be attained would be great and many.

He also mentioned that the Tower was not Evertonian, but actually an idea created by people from nearby Kirkdale, who decided the tower should be built in Everton, which the Evertonians allowed:

Singular as it may seem, it is nevertheless a fact, that the township of Kirkdale has established its bridewell in this quarry, and actually within the township of Everton. Why the Kirkdaleites have thrust this necessary evil into Everton’s bosom, or why the Evertonians permit it to remain in their territory, is scarcely worthy of further inquiry or notice, excepting that, according to general custom and usage, Messrs. of the Kirkdale municipality, ought to direct all rogues and vagabonds, caught at large within the limits of their jurisdiction, to be incarcerated in some stronghold within the bounds of their own township.

Syers also mentioned a robbery that took place 18 years before the book was written where the criminals were eventually incarcerated in Prince Rupert’s Tower:

In Everton-lane, […] a severe conflict took place, in the year 1812, between a body of the police of Liverpool, and a band of robbers. Those marauders had frequently stopped and robbed the passengers in various hackney-coaches which occasionally plied on the outskirts of Liverpool; at length the police of Liverpool resorted to stratagem, with a view of capturing and punishing this daring gang of banditti. The police-men, being well armed, placed themselves in a hackney-coach, soon after it was dark, and proceeded leisurely over Edge-hill; and when they arrived at the point before-named they were assaulted by the robbers, who lay in ambush at the west end of Mill-lane: a desperate conflict ensued with fire-arms and sharp weapons, but, strange to state! no live were lost. The robbers were at last discomfited, some of them were secured, but a few fled and escaped, taking their course over Mr. Plumpton’s field, in which some of their cast-away fire-arms were found the next morning. The experiment succeeded, for since then hackney-coaches have been safely permitted to ply this district.

One of the police-men, of bulky size, was jeeringly likened by his fellows to Falstaff, for, like the fat knight, he foundered on the field of battle, and was picked up when the fray was over, to join in boasting of the prowess exhibited by the victorious party. Those of the robbers who were taken were tried, and three of them were found guilty, and executed at Lancaster, in April, 1813.

Who was Prince Rupert?

prince-rupert

  • Prince Rupert’s full name was Rupert, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Duke of Cumberland, Earl of Holderness.
  • He was born in Bohemia (now Czech Republic) on December 17th, 1619.
  • He was the grandson of James I of England, the nephew of Charles I, the cousin of Charles II and James II, and the uncle of George I.
  • His father briefly ruled Bohemia, but had to flee when Prince Rupert was a baby to the Netherlands.
  • He fought in the Thirty Years’ War and joined Charles I’s army in the English Civil War.
  • He led the Royalist cavalry and fought in the first major battle of the Civil War – the Battle of Edgehill.
  • After losing to the parliamentarians at Marston Moor, he lost York and the north of England. He then lost in the Battle of Naseby as well.
  • Because of the defeats, Rupert advised his uncle to make peace and call a truce with Parliament, but Charles I refused to give up.
  • In September 1644, he surrendered Bristol to Parliament. His uncle was not pleased and Rupert left England for exile in the Netherlands.
  • Rupert went into hiding again in the 1650s in the West Indies and Germany after losing a naval battle.
  • Once the monarchy was restored in 1660, Rupert fought in the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars.
  • He died on November 29th, 1682 after suffering from pleurisy, and is buried in Westminster Abbey.

What does Prince Rupert have to do with the Tower?

It is said to be named after Prince Rupert because his army stayed in the Everton area before attacking parliamentarians who were holding Liverpool Castle, which was located at the site which is now the Liverpool ONE shopping centre. Prince Rupert stayed in a cottage on Everton Brow, looked at the castle and did not take a shine to it, saying:

It is a crow’s nest that any part of schoolboys could take!

The attack resulted in a week of fighting and 1,500 deaths in Prince Rupert’s army.

prince-rupert's-cottage

Why is the Tower on the crest?

When Everton secretary Theo Kelly was asked to design a crest for Everton in 1938, he struggled to think of what the crest to include, but then he had a brainwave.

I was puzzling over it for four months. Then I thought of a reproduction of the “Beacon”, which stands in the heart of Everton.

As he thought the Tower was an important part of the Everton area, he felt it is deserving of a place on the crest.

first-everton-crest

Everton in Nazi Germany

Bradley Cates Stories ,

The 1935/36 First Division season was over. The Berlin Olympics was near. After avoiding relegation by 4 points (thanks to a very healthy home record) and thumping Preston 5-0, Everton were set to go to Adolf Hitler-ruled Germany to play five matches against German international trial teams ahead of the Olympics. From May 9th-24th, Everton were about to show Fußballfans what they were made of.

The Voyage

The squad left Liverpool to set sail on the New York for Hamburg on May 8th, however the journey wasn’t plain sailing. On the ship’s way to Hamburg, it collided with a Dutch steamer, Alphard, just outside of Oostende, Netherlands.  26 men were on-board and the steamer sank completely within 20 minutes. Thankfully, all 26 men were saved.

One Everton player said:

There was not much time to spare. Everyone was impressed by the coolness and swift action of the crew of the New York.

A Liverpool Echo reporter was at the Hamburg docks and interviewed three members of the squad about the experience, and here is what they said.

It was about 9:50pm. They said, and we had just gone down to the ballroom for a dance when a heavy tremor ran through the ship. Everybody stopped still for a moment, and we felt the ship listing under our feet. Then everything was quiet again. None of us on board, by the way, had any feeling of danger, although we realised that something serious might have happened. We hurried up on deck, and when we got there, we found a small steamer lying dead ahead with a list of about 43 degrees on her. Fortunately, the sea was clam or the rescue might not have been as successful. In the flash, the New York put boats out, including one motor lifeboat, and started taking the crew of the Dutch vessel – we found that it was named Alphard – off.

The ship was actually so close that eight members of its crew climbed up ladders to the deck of the New York by means of rope ladders. The remaining eighteen members of the crew were brought to the New York by the life boats. There had not been much time to spare, for the Dutch ship then disappeared below the surface of the sea very rapidly. The whole thing had only taken 20 minutes from start to finish.

They were asked whether they were shaken from the incident, and they replied very coolly:

We feel fine and very happy at the prospect of our first match on German soil.

A few days later, the Liverpool Echo published Albert Geldard’s take on the incident:

Most of us have had our baptism of big liner travel. Fortunately for us all, the benefit of being in the larger of the colliding vessels saved any danger of us feeling the dampness of the baptismal waters. But to begin at the beginning. When the tender brought us alongside the magnificent sea home in Southampton Water, we started what turned out to be quite an adventurous trip. The boys were impressed with the splendid arrangement made by the German Football Association for their comfort aboard, and during yesterday, they had made full use of the gymnasium, swimming baths, sports deck &c, in their earnestness to do well against the international elevens opposed to them.

After dinner, most of the party were in the saloon enjoying the music of the ship’s orchestra, when there came a severe cluck in the smooth way of the boat. The jar seemed a slight one in its effect on us sitting there, but naturally, knowing that something serious must have occurred, we wasted no time in making for the promenade deck from whence it was possible to see that we were wielded into the midship of a much smaller boat. Our ship had been proceeding at half speed for some hours owing to the banks of fog that we were running into, and from what we learnt afterwards, our opponents were also only running at a reduced speed. After a time, the ships unlocked from one another, and gradually, the Alphard listed over, and finally begin to settle down.

As we drifted further away from her, two motor boats and one lifeboat were quickly manned and sent away to her assistance. From our decks, little could be seen excepting the lights of the doomed boat. Within half an hour, three explosions heralded the end of her, and the last thing that we could reduce was that the water had reached the dynamos (which on this boat were on the upper deck), for there was a sudden black-out of the navigating lights. It transpired later that eight of the twenty-seven crew claimed aboard the New York by a rope ladder, whilst the boats were still in contact. The remaining were all able to get safely away before the Alphard sank by means of the lifeboats. The passengers here made a collect for the men who had been unable to save their belongings, and the amount realised was in the region of £60.

Well, “Bee,” [Liverpool Echo reporter] I know that this has little to do with soccer, but the experience was a new one for most and not as unpleasant at it might easily have turned out to be for the Alphard was outward bound for a load of pig-iron, and you can well see that had she been laden there might have been rather more damage done to our ship. As it was, there were two huge pieces out of our bows, either of them big enough to have driven a motor through. This damage, naturally meant that throughout the night speed was considerably reduced, and instead of our landing at Cuxhaven today, where Dr. Otto Nerz was to officially receive us, we simply slowed down in the river while the Customs men came aboard and carried out the examination of baggage from 9pm onwards as the ship carried on to Hamburg. The extra eighteen hours on board was quite to the liking of the players and officials, and really preferable to the suggested rail journey from Cuxhaven to Hamburg. This meant that we shall not land until 9am tomorrow, but the match does not start until 5:30pm, there is plenty of time for the boys to settle down.

Just as I wrote the last sentence, I was called to the radiophone and had the new experience of a wireless conversation with our now “old” friend, Otto. He was anxious to know that everything was OK and was delighted to know that we were none the worse after the accident. Cunliffe and Sagar are joining us at Duisburg on Monday evening after the Brussels match [Belgium v England].

By the way, this was the first occasion that the New York had carried a football team, and Captain Warner had a group photograph taken with the full party yesterday afternoon. I hope to keep you posted with any items of interest that crop up during the tour, so leave plenty of space!

It was certainly a maritime experience the Everton players will never forget.

Match 1 – Germany Olympic XI 0-3 Everton

Everton opened their post-season tour of Germany with a 3-0 win over the proposed German Olympic team at the Stadion Hoheluft in Hamburg. Around 25,000 fans witnessed two goals from Bunny Bell and one from Tommy White as Everton were “tactically and physically superior to their opponents.” The German opposition included full German internationals Robert Bernard, Wilhelm Simetsreiter and Josef Gauchel.

Match 2 – West Germany XI 4-1 Everton

Attended by 23,000 fans, Cliff Britton took the lead for Everton after a scoring a penalty and the club went into half-time leading 1-0 in Duisburg. However, the side wholly comprising of Western Germans were too much for them in the second half.

It could have been a lot worse for Everton, had not it been for the ever-reliable, Ted Sagar. The German inside forwards, August Lenz and Karl Hohmann, wanted to boost their chances of making the final Germany Olympic team, but they were continuously frustrated by Sagar.

In a humorous sense of irony, the Germans had a dubious goal allowed after the ball seemingly crossed the line after it hit the underside of the bar.

The Liverpool Daily Post reported:

There was a dispute over the Germans’ equalising goal scored after a quarter of an hour in the second half. Lenz drove the ball hard towards goal, and it struck underneath the bar and then bounced down on to the goal line. The referee awarded a goal despite protests by the Everton players.

The German goalscorers were August Lenz (twice), Wilhelm Simetsreiter and Josef Gauchel (a reported 40-yard screamer). The team included what was considered one of the best full-back partnerships in the 1930s – Paul Janes and Reinhold Muenzenberg.

After the defeat, according to Liverpool Echo reporter “Bee,” Germany’s manager Otto Nerz was in a bit of an exuberant mood:

Otto Nerz has been the life and soul of the officials group, and when we were consoling each other after the second half, that the goal against did not exceed the aggregate of goals for, he chipped in to say that he “would make arrangements to keep down the rate of exchanges!” One of his wise-isms is repeatedly borne out in fact vis; “With the best we are satisfied.” His jujitsu tricks have been freely applied much to the discomfiture of those nearest to him, and he has certainly become entitled to the name of “Peter Pan.”

Match 3 – Germany XI 1-3 Everton

12,000 fans watched Everton recover from their annihilation by winning 3-1 in Frankfurt. Two goals from Torry Gillick and one from Nat Cunliffe gave Everton a 3-0 lead before Josef Gauchel converted a consolation penalty three minutes from time for the Germans.

Like Ted Sagar was Everton’s saviour from further annihilation in the previous game, goalkeeper Willy Juerissen was Germany’s saviour in this game, according to the Liverpool Daily Post.

Everton have now taken control of the tour by leading the Germans two wins to one.

The secretary Theo Kelly had his say on the match, writing to “Bee”:

The score might quite easily have run to double figures, but as it turned out it was as well that it stopped where it did for the 10,000 spectators were not satisfied when they found that substitutes were not allowed. Only after an announcement was made that the teams had mutually agreed to “no substitutes” were they appeased. Gillick got two of the goals and Cunliffe sandwiched one in between. Germany scored from a penalty in the last two minutes after Sagar saved the first kick. The referee Mr. Best of Hocist was reputed to be the “best” in German football. The weather is too glorious hot, but our boys are training and playing with the utmost vigour. What a press they are getting. Things have altered for the better since we were here last. Just all for the present, Everybody is very fit and well, except that Geldard pulled a muscle during the first few minutes of the last game, when he appeared to be for a field day. By the way, our team was; Sagar; Jackson, Jones; Britton, White, Mercer; Geldard, Cunliffe, Bell, Stevenson, and Gillick. Jones had his boots re-studded on the touchline in the second half (quite unique) and the outstanding successes were Gillick, Stevenson, White, Mercer, and Jackson. Sagar had nothing to do. Cheerio.

Match 4 – Germany XI 4-2 Everton

25,000 fans were in Stuttgart as the tour levelled at two wins each after Everton lost to the Germans 4-2. Germany went into a 3-0 lead at half-time, following goals from two goals from Josef Fath and one from Franz Elbern. Everton reduced the lead very shortly after the second half began after a goal by Nat Cunliffe, but they couldn’t find a way to reduce the lead even more before Josef Fath completed his hat-trick over half an hour later. Nat Cunliffe scored his second a few minutes later, and the match ended 4-2 to the Germans.

The match was attended by the Reich Governor of Wuerttemberg and a colleague of Adolf Hitler, Wilhelm Murr.

Here is what Theo Kelly told the Liverpool Echo following the game:

Here we are after a four years’ absence. It only seems like yesterday since we were in the hotel. The weather has broken down at last and while writing, it is raining heavily. Yesterday’s gate at Stuttgart looked like being ruined, for we had very heavy rain with overcast skies in the morning. Possibly this eventually improved the attendance for ascension day being a public holiday, there must have many who might have gone further afield than the stadium, if the weather had been good. How often you find this so at home on a bank holiday?

There must have been 30,000 spectators at the start, and they were treated to another great exhibition by the teams, in the case Germany just about meriting a win. They passed and re-passed rapidly and with precision, and it was no wonder that they had a lead of 3 goals at the interval. With the strong wind in our favour, we had much of the second half and Cunliffe soon got a beauty from a long pass forward by Jackson. This was neutralised when White in passing back to Sagar, played the ball short and found the German outside left an easy opening. Back to the fight again, and a bombardment of the German goal was greeted with shouts from the very porting Stuttgart crowd. It was really wonderful that their goal should escape. Rounds, woodwork, by the international Jakob (who played at Tottenham against England) all conspired to deny us a reasonable chance of a draw. Near the finish Cunliffe got a second goal from close in, and the whistle blew leaving Germany winners by 4 goals to 2.

The position now is that we have each won two, with goals for and against 9, Bell and Cunliffe have scored three, Gillick 2, and Britton one. Otto Nerz is very satisfied with the results, and as his team gets stronger each match – he brings in his most likely Olympians players – you can well see that the last game on Sunday at Nuremberg will be a real snorter. Jack Thomson had the novel experience of speaking from Radio Stuttgart yesterday. After making the record which was broadcast at 7:40pm, when a repeat of the running commentary on the match was given, he heard it over before leaving the studio. His remark on hearing his own voice from the record when it was tested was “I started like Ramsey MacDonald and finished like Harry Lauder.”

In the evening, dinner was not quite over when 7:40pm arrived, but the remainder of the meal was forgotten in the interest to hear the radio in the hotel manager’s room. It was quite a sight to see the boys (dead quiet for the first time on the tour) crowded around the set chairs, tables and floors of the little room were fully occupied and after the final message to our friends in England was heard, it was agreed that the offer of Radio Stuttgart management to give us this facility, was a great idea, and typical of the many kindnesses that have showered on the English tourists.

Match 5 – Germany XI 1-1 Everton

A fair result as 22,000 fans watched the final game of a very evenly-matched tour in Nuremberg. After a goalless first half, Germany took the lead after a penalty from Josef Gauchel. Everton equalised almost immediately after Charlie Leyfield scored directly from a corner due to the German left-back Andreas Munkert interfering with the goalkeeper Hans Jakob as the ball came in. Everton tried to find a winner but they couldn’t find a way past Hans Jakob.

As the tour came to a close, here is what Theo Kelly said about the experience:

The playing side of the Everton tour has now ended, and really I think the boys are to be complimented for the eulogies that they have earned and received. To finish “all squared” against the Germany’s best is a feat of no means value. Consider that the Germans were playing for their place in the national team at the Olympics and you will see that the matches were test matches of the sternest kind. As we know the game, their methods are unorthodox, and rather machine-like. Seldom do you see the cleverness of any individual. They play as a team, which is a good fault in many ways, but yet takes the spice of “stardom,” out of their teams.

With the ball in possession of any one of their men, the others immediately run into the open space to received the expected pass. As soon as a defender goes out to meet any man with the ball, on goes the ball to the next man, and so this goes on until an error of judgement beings the passing bout to an end.

Throughout Germany, all of the coaches appear to be teaching the self same methods and the result is a uniformity of style that makes for machine-like precision that rather tends to monotony. However, we proved our worth I think and there is not the slightest doubt that the German players have appreciated the skill of our side in our general ability. Well, you will all know by now that we drew the last game, and finished: – won 2, lost 2; drew 1; goals for 10, against 10. Goals scorers; Bell and Cunliffe 3, Gillick 2, Leyfield and Britton 1.

Every player who will be chosen to represent Germany in the Olympic Games at Berlin in August has played against our team on this tour. Sagar has come in for some chipping, as the whole of the 10 goals were scored against us while he was in charge of the fort. He is named in the press here as the wonder goalkeeper, and certain his displaying in the first half of our second match at Duisburg, was enough for anyone to earn such a title.

Our many journeys in auto buses here have been enlivened by the music of the Gee party. Many parodies have emanated from the ready wit of those who as you know best, are capable of such atrocities. One arose through the goal scored by Leyfield, which meant a draw after Germany had netted from a very unfair penalty. Officially, we would say that Leyfield scored direct from his corner, but after the Leader of the syndicate had made out a good case in the dressing-room, a vote was taken, and it was agreed that it was quite possible that Gee had more to do with the scoring of the goal than the spectators thought.

Such is the good humour in which the game have been played, and such humour is extremely helpful when touring in a strange country. No matter what the results have been, the players have returned to their various hotels singing many of the popular tunes of their own counties. Even “Steve” has been called on for “A little Dash of Dublin” and no one has shirked the call of duty of the musical side. There can be nothing but praise for the players who have represented the club during a series of matches against the selected men of Germany.

We are having the final dinner of the German Football Association tomorrow evening, and I will send you another line following the ceremony. I am enclosing one or two photos which you may be able to use; Cheerio.

The First Ever Goalscorer Against Everton – A Referee!

Bradley Cates Stories ,

On Saturday 10th January, 1880, Everton were playing their second ever game, and their first ever away game – a friendly against Birkenhead Association. Three weeks previously, they beat St. Peter’s 6-0 at Stanley Park, so early signs looked promising. But those signs quickly faded.

In the first half, Birkenhead took the lead, and a player called Lythgoe became part of Everton history by scoring the first ever goal against them. However, even though he was credited as the goalscorer, the strike hit an obstacle on the way to the goal. That obstacle was the match referee, J. Farquharson. The Everton players questioned the legitimacy of the goal as the ball hit the referee, so the goal shouldn’t stand, and rightly so. But despite their protests, the assistant referees (then known as “umpires”) allowed the goal and the first half ended Birkenhead Association 1-0 Everton.

The Liverpool Mercury reported the match, and the incident therein:

The leather was kick-off at 3:30pm and some very good play took place on both sides but the Birkenhead pressed very hard, and succeeded in getting the leather very near their opponent’s goal, when the Birkenhead claimed a free kick for handball. The leather was kicked by Mr. Heaton to Mr. Lythgoe, who kicked it for goal, but owing to the referee being near the goal, the leather touched his leg, but went between the posts. The umpires were asked how was that for goal, and both of them gave it as a goal, their opponents would have it not so.

Everton went on to lose to Birkenhead 2-0 – the club’s first ever defeat. Lightning did not strike twice. The second goal was scored by a player called Heaton. So Heaton should be credited as the first ever player to score against Everton.

J. Farquharson is virtually untraceable – considering it was 1880 when the incident occurred, it isn’t much of a surprise. So this incident is more than likely to be the only record of him. At least it gives Evertonians a chance to enjoy the mystery of the first ever goalscorer against the club.

The Wrath of Howard Kendall

Bradley Cates Stories , , , , , ,

We all know Howard Kendall as a successful manager and an all-round nice guy. However, he wasn’t like that all the time. A lesson learned by five young Everton players.

In September 1984, Howard Kendall watched Everton Reserves play Sheffield Wednesday Reserves, and at half-time, Everton were leading 2-0, thanks to goals from Stuart Rimmer and Rob Wakenshaw. However, the following 45 minutes were a disaster. Kendall was not impressed as Everton conceded 6 goals in the second half to lose 6-2. As a consequence, he put five of the players on the transfer list.

Howard Kendall said:

We were leading 2-0 at half-time and it seemed to be a case of how many more we might score in the second half. Instead, Sheffield [Wednesday] started putting pressure on, scored a couple of goals and went on to win 6-2.

In a number of young players. I did not see the attitude which would have put things right.

The next morning, he put Darren Hughes, Ian Bishop, John Morrissey and the goalscorers, Stuart Rimmer and Rob Wakenshaw, on the transfer list.

Kendall then said:

It was important that we showed the players concerned how serious we were in our assessment of the game. Attitude in young players is so important. These lads would not be here if we did not think they have skill or we thought they would not have a chance of becoming First Division players.

At some time, however, they must come to learn that football is not always a comfortable lifestyle. There are times when the only course of action is to roll up your sleeves and battle for yourself, your teammates and your club.

Even though they were put on the transfer list, he said that they still had a future at the club as long as they behaved accordingly.

What it does mean is that we shall be watching them very carefully over the next few months to see whether they have the right attitude in them – because it is a must.

Since they were transfer-listed, here is what happened to the players:

Darren Hughes – The left-back from Prescot played only once for the club since he was put on the transfer-list on the final day of Everton’s title-winning 1984/85 season – a 2-0 defeat against Luton. He played 3 games overall for the club before joining Shrewsbury on a free transfer.

He also had spells with Port Vale, Brighton and Exeter among others before retiring in 1998. His spell at Port Vale was mixed – he won promotion to the Second Division with them in 1989 and he was called the club’s best left-back of the 1980s by teammate Phil Sproson. However, after numerous injury woes, he was released by the club in 1994. Hughes subsequently took the club to a tribunal for unfair dismissal in order to prove that he has recovered from his injuries. He then quit the club at the end of the year.

Ian Bishop – The midfielder from Liverpool left the club to join Carlisle just a month after he was transfer-listed for a fee of £15,000. Afterwards, he enjoyed successful spells at West Ham and Manchester City.

At his first spell at Manchester City, he was popular with the fans and scored in Manchester City’s 5-1 win over Manchester United in 1989. However, despite his popularity, he was eventually sold to West Ham. The manager who sold him? Howard Kendall!

He played over 250 times for West Ham before joining Manchester City again, where he was part of the club’s resurgence from Division Two to the Premier League. He ended his career in 2004 playing in America.

John Morrissey – The son of Everton legend Johnny Morrissey made his only two appearances for the club after he was put on the transfer list – against Inter Bratislava and Luton. After a brief spell at Wolves, he enjoyed a 14-year spell at Tranmere, playing 585 times for the club – placing him fourth in the all-time appearances chart.

Morrissey played a key role in Tranmere’s meteoric rise which saw them playing in the Fourth Division to coming very close to playing in the Premier League and also winning the Football League Trophy in 1990.

Stuart Rimmer – The striker from Southport never played for Everton again after being placed on the transfer list, despite showing huge potential as a future first-team player. He made just three appearances for the club and he left Everton to join Chester on loan in January 1985.

On his Chester debut, he made an instant impact, scoring a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Southend. From then on, he was scoring goals left, right and centre. He signed permanently for the club two months later for £10,000, scoring 14 goals in his first season with Chester. The following season, he scored 21 goals in 23 games in all competitions, including four goals against boyhood team Preston on his 21st birthday. However, an exceptional start to the season resulted in heartbreak for Rimmer after, during a match against Leyton Orient in November, he was ruled out for the rest of the season after colliding with the goalkeeper while he scored.

He stayed at Chester until March 1988, when he moved to Watford for £205,000. He had an unsuccessful spell there and played for Notts County, Walsall and Barnsley before rejoining Chester, finishing what he started. His combined stats for Chester are 427 appearances and 149 goals, 134 of those goals in the Football League – a club record.

Rob Wakenshaw – The striker played four times for the club since he was put on the transfer list, adding to his debut against Manchester United, wherein he scored a goal. Like Rimmer, he also showed potential to be a first-team player, scoring 26 goals for the reserves in the 1984/85 Central League – the most by an Everton reserve player since WWII. But he eventually left the club for Carlisle in September 1985 and his career quickly dwindled.

Everton and Baseball

Bradley Cates Stories , , , , , , , ,

Everton and baseball had an unlikely friendship. In modern times, they are not linked with each other whatsoever, but from the 19th century to around the 1950s, their link was quite strong.

In 1890, Everton considered allowing baseball to be played at Anfield. A recommendation was made by from a certain Mr Betts, however the club didn’t go through with it because they believed Anfield was an unsuitable ground for baseball.

On 23rd October 1924, American baseball teams, the Chicago White Sox and the New York Giants, played an exhibition game at Goodison Park. Over 2,500 people watched the White Sox beat the Giants 16-11.

chicago-white-sox-goodison new-york-giants-goodison baseball-goodison

Former Everton chairman John Moores was an avid fan of baseball. In 1933, he created a Liverpool-based baseball league, and the champions would be awarded the eponymous John Moores Trophy. The foundation of the league and the growth of baseball in Liverpool led to Everton players taking part in the sport, such as Dixie Dean, who played for Liverpool Caledonians.

John-Moores-Trophy

In fact, in 1935, Dixie Dean met baseball great Babe Ruth in London. Babe Ruth came to London following a baseball tour in Japan and he was introduced to Dixie Dean after Babe Ruth once hit 60 home runs in a season and he admired the comparison to Dean’s 60 goals in a season. Although, despite being legends in their own field, Babe Ruth was earning a lot more money than Dixie Dean. According to American sport historians Stefan Szymanski and Andrew Zimbalist, Babe Ruth earned $70,000 a year whereas Dixie Dean earned just $2,000 a year. However, this was largely due to the maximum wage rule in Britain at the time.

In July 1945, Goodison Park was the venue for a baseball competition called the Lancashire Baseball Cup. Everton’s own baseball team took part in the competition, and other participants included Liverpool Trojans, Formby Cardinals and Swinton & Pendlebury. Everton lost to Formby Cardinals 13-10 – a 5-0 hammering in the sixth innings proved to be the fatal blow. The last time baseball was played at Goodison Park was in 1948, with Liverpool Trojans and Formby Cardinals being the last baseball teams to play there.

The Ones That Got Away

Bradley Cates Stories , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Everton and transfers have always had a complicated relationship. Players of high approval seemed to be very likely to sign for Everton, but it never came to fruition. Recent examples include Andriy Yarmolenko, Ivan Perisic and Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe. There have also been some who Everton had an eye on but did nothing, and players who left the club and went on to greater things.

Joe Hart

joe-hart

In 2005, Everton were linked with 18-year-old goalkeeping prodigy Joe Hart. Goalkeeping Chris Woods went on a scouting mission to find up-and-coming goalkeepers, and Joe Hart caught his eye.

He ended up joining Manchester City and went on to become England’s number-one goalkeeper. His honours include two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four Golden Gloves, and he was included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year twice.

Everton were linked with him again in August 2016, however Hart opted for Torino on a season-long loan deal.

Eric Dier

eric-dier

In 2011, Eric Dier joined Everton from Sporting Lisbon on a season-long youth loan deal. He featured prominently in the U18s, however he found the experience very unsettling and immediately returned to Sporting Lisbon once his loan expired.

Since then, he joined Tottenham and became an England international, scoring the winner in a friendly against Germany and a free-kick in Euro 2016 against Russia.

Shkodran Mustafi

shkodran-mustafi.jpg

In 2009, Shkodran Mustafi joined Everton from Hamburg. He spent two-and-a-half years at the club, before being released in January 2012. He made just one first-team appearance for Everton – a 15-minute cameo against BATE Borisov in the Europa League.

Since he was released, he had a spell at Sampdoria. During that time, he made his international debut for Germany and won the World Cup. A few months later, he signed for Valencia, and he scored his first ever international goal in Germany’s 2-0 win over Ukraine in Euro 2016, a day after fellow former Everton player Eric Dier scored a free-kick against Russia.

In August 2016, he joined Everton’s Premier League rivals Arsenal for a fee of £35 million.

Juan Roman Riquelme

juan-roman-riquelme.jpg

In 2007, Juan Roman Riquelme was linked with Everton. In fact, Everton “confirmed” they have signed him on the club’s website, when actually the “deal” was used an example to test the new home page for the website.

Since then, Riquelme was repeatedly linked with the club by their own fans practically every summer until he retired.

Petr Cech

In 2002, Everton were linked with up-and-coming Sparta Prague goalkeeper, Petr Cech. Cech went through a run of 905 minutes without conceding a goal – a run that interested some big clubs such as Arsenal as well as Everton.

Sparta Prague price-tagged him at £3.6 million. Everton found this price tag off-putting because they thought it was too high, especially considering the club had severe financial difficulties at the time. In the end, they thought the fee wasn’t worth it and chose to rely on Richard Wright instead.

Since then, Petr Cech joined Rennes, and helped them avoid relegation. In 2004, he moved to Chelsea, where he really made his name. When he was at Chelsea, in his debut season, he set a Premier League record of going through 1,025 minutes without conceding a goal (a run since broken by Edwin van der Sar). In the same season, he won the Golden Glove after keeping 21 clean sheets and only conceding 15 goals. Further glory ensued: he went on to win the Premier League four times, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup three times, the Europa League, and the Champions League. Regarding individual honours, he added another three Golden Gloves, twice the goalkeeper chosen for PFA Team of the Year, and was named IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper in 2005.

He is currently at Chelsea’s rivals, Arsenal, and set a league record while at the club by keeping a clean sheet against Bournemouth in late-2015, thus keeping his 170th Premier League clean sheet and overtaking David James for the most number of clean sheets kept in the Premier League.

Rafael van der Vaart

rafael-van-der-vaart

In 2009, Everton were rumoured to make an ambitious bid for Real Madrid player Rafael van der Vaart. According to Sportmail, a source at Real Madrid said Everton were the only team who made contact with Real Madrid regarding van der Vaart and he was interested in a move to England. The Dutch midfielder himself was said to be looking forward to joining Everton, however he was persuaded to stay at the Spanish club.

The following year, van der Vaart signed for Tottenham and became a talismanic player, scoring 28 goals in 78 games for the club.

Ever Banega

ever-banega.jpg

In 2009, Everton were set to sign 21-year-old Argentine international midfielder Ever Banega on a season-long loan deal. If he had a successful spell, it was very likely that the move would become permanent. However, the move didn’t happen because Banega couldn’t be able to get a visa.

After the move failed, Banega went on to had success at Sevilla, winning two Europa League titles.

Antoine Griezmann

antoine-griezmann

In 2014, Everton were linked with the highly sought-after Real Sociedad winger, Antoine Griezmann. Duncan Ferguson was seen watching Real Sociedad play Villarreal to keep a good eye on Griezmann and Inigo Martinez. Nothing happened eventually, and Antoine Griezmann went on to join Atletico Madrid.

Since Griezmann’s move to Atletico Madrid, he scored 22 goals in his debut La Liga season, and another 22 the following season, and in all competitions, scored 57 goals in 107 games. He also played a key part in Atletico Madrid’s run to the Champions League final in 2015/16, and also France’s run to the Euro 2016 final, scoring 6 goals in the process, thus winning the Golden Boot. His performances at Euro 2016 also earned him Player of the Tournament and a place in the Team of the Tournament. His performances throughout the entire 2015/16 season earned him 2nd place in the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

Dion Dublin

dion-dublin

In 1993, following a chat between Howard Kendall and Alex Ferguson, Everton submitted a £1.5 million bid for Manchester United striker Dion Dublin. However, Manchester United rejected the offer. Manchester United were willing to let Dublin go, but only for £1.8 million. Howard Kendall wanted to take the opportunity, but the board weren’t willing to give him any more funds. Kendall resigned soon afterwards.

The resignation shocked Merseyside, and no-one understood why Howard Kendall resigned. Kendall himself said he resigned because he ran out of self-belief, and he said a few years later that his resignation had nothing to do with Dion Dublin. But given Everton’s reputation at the time, a lot of fans thought otherwise.

Denis Law

denis-law.jpg

In 1959, Everton wanted to sign 19-year-old striker Denis Law. Huddersfield were willing to sell him to Everton in an exchange deal, with Alan Shackleton and Eddie Thomas as possibilities. Huddersfield preferred Shackleton to Thomas and Everton offered £35,000 plus Shackleton for Denis Law. Huddersfield declined the offer, which prompted Everton to offer an improved bid of £40,000 plus Shackleton for Law. Huddersfield declined that offer as well, and there were no further negotiations.

Denis Law went on to play for Manchester City, Torino and Manchester United, and won the European Cup, two First Division titles and the FA Cup. He also won the Ballon d’Or in 1964.

Ivor Allchurch

ivor-allchurch.jpg

In 1951, Cliff Britton went to Cardiff to watch Wales v Portugal, where he had his eye on Swansea striker Ivor Allchurch. He was impressed with the 22-year-old but did not submit an offer to Swansea because he thought Allchurch “lacked punch.”

Allchurch was the Gareth Bale of his day: he went on to become known as “The Golden Boy” of Welsh football and he played a vital role in Wales’ run to the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup.

Johnny Haynes

johnny-haynes.jpg

In 1956, Johnny Haynes was among a list of six players who Everton wanted to fill the inside forward role. Ian Buchan said he and the other five players were inside forwards of the very highest calibre and at the peak of their career. However, nothing happened after his name was mentioned.

Haynes went on to become widely-known as Fulham’s greatest ever player, and Pele called him “the best passer of the ball I’ve ever seen.”

Ted Drake

ted-drake.jpg

In 1933, Thomas H McIntosh watched 20-year-old Ted Drake when Southampton played Plymouth in the Second Division. His review of Drake was mixed – he said he was “a good shot but poor ball control and poor with his head.” McIntosh also said that he was not ready to join Everton.

The following year, Ted Drake joined Arsenal and went on to win the First Division twice, the FA Cup, and was the top goalscorer in the 1934/35 First Division, scoring 42 goals. He also holds the record for most goals scored in a top-flight game – 7 against Aston Villa in December 1935.

Nat Lofthouse

nat-lofthouse.jpg

In 1948, Everton were interested in signing Nat Lofthouse. A certain Mr Williams had a look at him but preferred someone else. Mr Williams watched him again in 1950 and was impressed enough for Everton to make a transfer enquiry. However, Bolton refused to let him leave.

Nat Lofthouse went on to become Bolton’s greatest ever player, he scored 30 goals in 33 games for England and he was the 1955/56 First Division’s top goalscorer, scoring 33 goals.