Liverpool

The Derby That Never Was

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On 20th October 1996, Everton and Liverpool were set to play against each other in the 184th Merseyside Derby. Ahead of the game, Everton were unbeaten in the previous 4 derbies, winning 2 of them. Both sets of fans were eagerly awaiting the occasion, however disappointment was on the horizon – not for just one team, but for both teams. Controversial decisions by a referee is nothing new in the Merseyside Derby, but this time, a controversial decision was made BEFORE the game. Around an hour before kick-off, the Merseyside Derby was called off by matchday referee Roger Dilkes due to torrential rain.

Dilkes said:

I was bitterly disappointed for the fans. I know how much Merseyside fans love their football, and this game in particular. Once you reach this level, all decisions are major ones, and a decision like this just comes with the job.

I’ve had to make the “big decision,” which is what this was, before and it is always a matter of great disappointment. It has been a decision, however, that I feel has always subsequently proved to be right.

Dilkes called the game off because he was thought the pitch was unplayable and he was concerned about the players’ safety. He arrived at Anfield at midday, already feeling apprehensive about the weather. He wanted to check how long the downpour would last for and concluded it would continue to rain until the evening. As the rain continuously fell, Dilkes assessed the pitch by kicking the ball around and came to what he thought was the best decision.

I had to assess whether the ball would move around the playing surface freely and the answer was no. I struck a ball towards the corners, where players will play it, and under normal conditions, it would have gone out. But it held up yards short and I knew I could only make one decision, despite the disappointment I knew everyone would feel.

Neville Southall also bounced a ball on the pitch surface and I believed it totally died on him. The ground may have looked superb from the stands, but when you got down to pitch level, there were pools lying on it.

The safety of the players also has to be uppermost in my mind, and when there is that much water around, you must ask yourself whether they will be totally in control of themselves and what they are doing.

I believe to start the game, we would have had to be convinced we would finish it. I simply felt that given the weather conditions, the state of the pitch and the weather forecast, I had no option but to tell the managers we could not go ahead.

Neville Southall, however, thought the postponement was unneccessary and the pitch would have been playable if the kick-off was delayed.

I thought the best course of action would have been to have delayed the kick-off for an hour, and worked as hard on draining the corner areas. As it was, the rain stopped at 3pm and the sun shone shortly afterwards.

The referee, Roger Dilkes, said he was concerned about the players’ safety. Although standing at about 5 ft 2 in tall, he was probably more concerned about his own safety – he may have drowned.

The postponement wreaked havoc. Ahead of the Derby, Everton rented a jumbotron at Goodison Park so that fans who were unable to attend the match at Anfield can watch it. But it came at a price as the postponement ended up costing them £25,000 for the jumbotron, wasted food and police costs. David Unsworth said he felt sorry for the fans, but especially for the fan he heard on the radio who came all the way from Australia to watch the match.

Everton and Liverpool fans subsequently watched the other game of the day – Newcastle v Manchester United. Manchester United, however, may have wished their game was postponed as well as the Magpies thrashed them 5-0. So at least there was something for Everton and Liverpool fans to smile about that day.

The match was re-arranged for November 20th – exactly a month after the postponement. Everton and Liverpool drew 1-1 with Gary Speed cancelling out Robbie Fowler’s opener. One of the mascots for the Derby that day was Wayne Rooney. I wonder what happened to him.

This wasn’t the first Merseyside Derby to be postponed because of the weather. Everton and Liverpool were scheduled to face each other on 23rd January 1965. However, referee Arthur Edge called the Derby off the day before because the overnight snow had melted on the Goodison Park pitch, worsening the already sodden pitch following weeks of rain. The underground heating system couldn’t save the game because it wasn’t switched on during the previous weeks’ rainfall; it would only switch on at freezing point, as the system’s sole purpose was to remove frost, not moisture, from the ground. Liverpool manager Bill Shankly said the pitch was “the stickiest I have ever seen,” calling it a “glue pot.” The match was re-arranged for April 12th with Everton winning 2-1, thanks to goals from Derek Temple and Johnny Morrissey.

Heads Or Tails?

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A coin toss is normally used in football to decide who kicks the game off. Also, to decide who plays in the Euro 1968 final. But it has also been used to help a player decide which team to join.

In 1946, league football was returning following the end of the Second World War. Nowadays, fans couldn’t cope with about 8 weeks of no competitive football. Fans in 1946 had to endure 8 YEARS without it. A new start for football, and also for Albert Stubbins. In the summer of 1946, Stubbins reportedly submitted a transfer request to Newcastle United because he wants to join a First Division team. He then submitted another transfer request in September. During WWII, he scored over 200 goals for the Magpies, including 23 hat-tricks. Understandably, he was on a lot of teams’ radars. Newcastle reportedly placed a £15,000 price tag on Stubbins, which would make him a British record signing – £1,000 more than Bryn Jones joining Arsenal in 1938. Teams including Sheffield Wednesday, Blackpool, Tottenham and former team Sunderland were linked with him but it ultimately came down to two – Everton and Liverpool.

Everton first had their eye on Albert Stubbins in 1938 when he was 18. They seemed to have ended their interest in the Tyneside teenager after Hunter Hart gave him a bad report. But they renewed their interest 8 years later as they were desperate to sign a striker following the departure of Tommy Lawton who joined Chelsea in order to be closer to his ill wife. Everton and Newcastle agreed on a £13,000 transfer for Stubbins, which was double Everton’s club record fee for Lawton and Torry Gillick. However, Newcastle also agreed on a £13,000 transfer for him with Liverpool. The £15,000 price tag may have been whittled down, but £13,000 was still a lot of money in those days.

On the evening of 12th September 1946, representatives of Everton and Liverpool, including Theo Kelly and George Kay, entered the St James’ Park boardroom waiting for Albert Stubbins for talks, but they ended up waiting for three and a half hours. During that time, they played cards and smoked cigars. A taxi was originally sent to his home in Wallsend but when it returned to the ground, it was empty. However, before the taxi returned, a neighbour said that Stubbins was watching a film at Newcastle’s News Theatre (now called Tyneside Cinema) with his wife. While he was there, a message appeared on the screen saying, “Would Albert Stubbins please report to St James’ Park?”

Upon arrival, Newcastle manager and director Stan Seymour asked Stubbins which team he wants to talk to first. Stubbins replied, “Let’s flip a coin. Heads, Liverpool. Tails, Everton.” The coin was tossed and it was heads. Albert Stubbins had a chat with George Kay and Liverpool chairman Bill McConnell and was very impressed with what Liverpool had to offer. Because of that, he decided to join Liverpool without even talking to Everton.

In Albert Stubbins’ debut season, he formed a formidable partnership with former Everton apprentice – and nephew of Everton players Billy and Bob Balmer – Jack Balmer. The Everton signing that wasn’t to be and the Everton apprentice that got away scored 48 league goals between them (24 each) and helped Liverpool win the first post-war First Division title, ending Everton’s 8-year reign as champions. Stubbins eventually scored 83 goals in 178 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions and became a Liverpool legend.

Merseyside Derby Quiz

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How much do you know about the Merseyside Derby? Test your knowledge by answering the 15 questions below!

Q1. In which year was the first ever Merseyside Derby?


Q2. Which Liverpool player scored for Everton in Everton's infamous 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in October 2007?


Q3. Who was Everton's mascot for the Merseyside Derby in November 1996?


Q4. Who is the youngest ever verified goalscorer in the Merseyside Derby?


Q5. Only two players have scored for both Everton and Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby - David Johnson and who?


Q6. Who scored the only goal in Everton's 1-0 win over Liverpool in the second replay of the fifth round of the FA Cup in 1991?


Q7. How many minutes did Glenn Keeley last before he got sent off in his only appearance for Everton in the Blues' 5-0 defeat to Liverpool in November 1982?


Q8. Only 3 Everton players have scored a hat-trick in the Merseyside Derby - Sandy Young, Dixie Dean and who?


Q9. The Merseyside Derby went through a run of 4 consecutive 0-0 draws in the 1970s. It was nearly 5 in a row until which Liverpool player scored in the 88th minute in Everton's eventual 1-0 defeat to the Reds?


Q10. In March 1967, the Merseyside Derby was played at Goodison Park, but the match was also shown on some big screens at Anfield. What was the combined attendance?
Q11. Two Everton players scored own goals in the Blues' 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in March 1972. Who were they?


Q12. The last Floodlight Challenge Cup - an annual friendly competition between Everton and Liverpool - took place in which year?


Q13. Who was the referee who disallowed a legitimate goal by Everton's Bryan Hamilton three minutes from full-time in Everton's 2-2 draw against Liverpool in the 1977 FA Cup semi-final?


Q14. In another referee howler, who disallowed Don Hutchison's goal in the 0-0 draw between Everton and Liverpool in April 2000, claiming he blew the whistle for full-time before the goal, even though he didn't (which he later admitted)?


Q15. In 1955, Everton lost to lower-league Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup. Who left the game at half-time when Everton were 2-0 down to tearfully talk to hospital patients about the game?








The Split – What Really Happened

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It is commonly known that Liverpool were born after a dispute over rising rent led Everton to split into two. However, there was much more to it. Why Liverpool’s birth happened may have been because of the dispute, but how Liverpool’s birth happened is a different story.

On January 25th, 1892, a general meeting took place to discuss whether “to consider the advisability of forming the club into a limited liability company to purchase [John] Houlding and [John] Orrell’s lands on the basis of their prospectus, or into a LLC on a smaller capital to lease the present or any other ground.” William Clayton proposed that Everton should reject John Houlding’s offer of becoming a limited liability company on his Houlding’s terms – the proposal was carried. The reason why because he thought that the costs were overpriced – the club would be paying more for the land than what it is actually worth. Clayton consulted a land agent to estimate the price of the land, and the land agent said it would be worth 4 shillings and 6 pence per yard. Houlding wanted to sell the land for 7 shillings and 6 pence per yard – 3 shillings more than its actual worth. Clayton added that if the club members were to accept Houlding’s offer, Everton would have hardly any money left.

Another proposal was made by William Clayton – he suggested that the club should be formed into a limited liability company under the name “Everton Football Club Limited”.

Proposed by Mr. Clayton and seconded by Mr. Atkinson –
That the Club be formed into a Limited Liability Co. under the name of the Everton Football Club Limited.

Everton Minute Books – 25th January 1892

That proposal was also carried. Afterwards, it was agreed that Everton’s solicitor would be in charge of registering the club and “obtain the necessary signatures from members of Committee or members of the club.” However, a few people decided to ignore the agreement…

Source: Liverpool Mercury

Even though it was agreed for a solicitor to register Everton as a limited liability company under the name “Everton Football Club Limited”, some Machiavellian members decided to register the club under a different name and on John Houlding’s terms the day after the general meeting. Everton were about to be registered under its agreed name but before it could happen, the registration was denied because there was already a limited liability company with a very similar name. Unsurprisingly, William Clayton wasn’t happy.

Motion by Mr. Clayton:

Resolved that we condemn the action of the members of Com. & members of the Club who have signed memorandum of association registering the Everton Football Club & Athletic Grounds Co. Limited, such action being take with the intention of frustrating the resolution of the members of the club in meeting assembled.

Everton Minute Books – 2nd February 1892

John Houlding was legally (albeit deceitfully) in possession of the Everton name. However, Clayton, George Mahon and co soon had a lifeline. The FA was on Everton’s side.

This council, in accordance with its past decisions, will not recognise or accept the membership of any club bearing a name similar to the one already affiliated with this Association, and in the case of the Everton club, will only recognise the action of a majority of its members at a duly constituted meeting.

Liverpool Mercury, 4th February 1892

This means that there were two Evertons. The FA would only recognise the Everton as we know it, not Houlding’s Everton, because the FA and the Football League said that Everton should be controlled by the majority, not Houlding and his supporters because there wasn’t enough signatories (and by some distance, too.) Following Houlding’s scheming, the club decided to remove him from the board, as well as a couple of his companions. There was also a suggestion proposed by Houlding’s supporters to merge the two Evertons, but to no avail.

The members of the Everton Club […] were summoned by two requisitions, one being from the Houldingites, who modestly sought to rescind all previous resolutions, and that the “Everton Football Club” should amalgamate with the “Everton Football Club and Athletic Grounds Company, Limited,” and stay where they are at present; that the other requisition came from the anti-Houldingites, and asked for the removal of Mr. Houlding from the presidency, and Messrs. Nesbit and Howarth from the committee; that the first named requisition was rejected by an overwhelming majority, and the last-named request agreed to, so that Mr. Houlding and his advocates have been dethroned, and the transfer to the new quarters simplified; that Everton look with confidence next season.

Lancashire Evening Post, 19th March 1892

At a meeting of the members of the Everton Football Club, the suggestion to amalgamate with the Everton Football Club and Athletic Grounds Company, Limited, was not entertained; and a resolution that Messrs. John Houlding, Alex Nisbet, and T.C. Howarth, having lost the confidence of the members of the club, be respectively removed from the presidency and committee was adopted.

Liverpool Mercury, 16th March 1892

John Houlding and co were subsequently removed from the board. Houlding’s Everton was then re-registered and the club’s name was changed to “Liverpool Football Club”. And the rest is history.

The 1893 Liverpool Senior Cup Final

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On April 22nd, 1893, Everton and Liverpool met each other for the first time since the split the previous year. It is disputed that this was the first ever Merseyside Derby. However, Everton’s reserve team (a.k.a. Everton Combination) participated in the tournament, not the first team; so technically, this wasn’t the first ever Merseyside Derby. But that didn’t mean the game was a friendly affair. The Everton-Liverpool rivalry started with a bang.

Run-Up

Everton Combination Liverpool
R1 Aigburth Vale 8-0 R1 Chester 4-0
SF Aintree Church 7-1 SF Bootle 1-0

Preview

Newly-formed Liverpool went into the game winning the Lancashire League title at the first time of asking, narrowly pipping Blackpool and Bury for their first ever piece of silverware. Everton Combination went into the game winning 46 out of 54 games that season, losing only 4 times and scoring an incredible 267 goals – nearly 5 goals a game. Everton had also won the previous three Liverpool Senior Cups. So Everton were undoubtedly the favourites.

Line-Ups

Everton Combination Liverpool
Richard Williams Goalkeeper Billy McOwen Goalkeeper
Albert Chadwick Back Andrew Hannah Back
John Collins Back Duncan McLean Back
Dickie Boyle Half-back John McCartney Half-back
Johnny Holt Half-back Joe McQue Half-back
Bernard Coyle Half-back Jim McBride Half-back
Patrick Gordon Forward Malcolm McVean Forward
Joey Murray Forward Tom Wyllie Forward
Abe Hartley Forward John Miller Forward
James McMillan Forward Matt McQueen Forward
Jack Elliott Forward Hugh McQueen Forward

The Match

Over 10,000 fans were at the match at Hawthorne Road in Bootle. Liverpool kicked things off and wasted no time in trying to break the deadlock. Established goalkeeper Richard Williams was forced to parry Hugh McQueen’s shot away for a corner, and he was forced into action again soon after, conceding another corner. A third corner was then taken, but to no avail. A terrific start for Liverpool, and they didn’t stop there.

The Everton defence were needed as Liverpool won a free-kick, which eventually resulted in another corner for Liverpool after Richard Williams saved John McCartney’s header. Aside from an interception from former Everton player Andrew Hannah, the Liverpool defence hardly moved – Everton couldn’t find a way to get into their half at all. They eventually managed to after good work from Abe Hartley, James McMillan and Jack Elliott, but the ball subsequently went out of play.

Richard Williams came to the rescue once again after saving a shot from Joe McBride. Liverpool’s dominance continued thereafter after a shot from forward (and occasional goalkeeper) Matt McQueen and an unsuccessful through ball by his brother, Hugh. Liverpool goalkeeper Billy McOwen was called into action for the first time in the game, but only to run out of his area and clear the ball away. Everton tried to get a shot at goal after great work from Patrick Gordon and Joey Murray, but Andrew Hannah stopped the attack.

A breakthrough soon occurred, and, to no surprise, it was Liverpool who scored the first goal of the game after 35 minutes. The goal came from an Everton free-kick – the free-kick was given after a handball from John McCartney, but after the free-kick was taken, the ball was in Liverpool’s grasp again and a neat pass from John Miller to former Everton forward Tom Wyllie, who subsequently scored with a low drive. Richard Williams was finally beaten.

It wouldn’t be a local derby without, at least, a slight tussle. After Joe McQue tackled Joey Murray, the two players had a bit of an argument before the referee, former Blackburn and England goalkeeper Herby Arthur, calmed things down. Liverpool then remained in control until half-time – a very one-sided game so far.

In the second half, Everton finally had a chance – John McCartney fouled James McMillan and John Collins placed the free-kick onto Jack Elliott’s head. However, Elliott couldn’t direct his header into the goal. Further chances ensued for Everton after Patrick Gordon continuously tried to find an equaliser, only to end up with corners instead. Afterwards, the game was end-to-end: both teams had their chances but failed to convert them. Liverpool had the chance to extend their lead but were prevented by good defending from John Collins and Tom Wyllie grazed the post.

The match was approaching its final moments, and there was huge controversy. Everton had a chance for an equaliser, but it then resulted in a corner. Liverpool dealt with it, but did they do it legally? The Everton players were furious because they thought they should have had a penalty for handball. They believed one of the Liverpool defenders punched it away. However, following consultations with the linesmen, Herby Arthur rejected Everton’s claims and no penalty was given. The game resumed after Arthur awarded a drop-ball and it was cleared, and Arthur blew the final whistle immediately after the ball was kicked.

herby-arthur
The referee, Herby Arthur

Full Time: Everton Combination 0-1 Liverpool

The Everton players didn’t take Arthur’s decision not to give the penalty lightly. Usually, when a team wins a trophy, they have a presentation. But Liverpool didn’t get one. This was because the Everton players were so apoplectic with rage, they protested the result, blaming “the general incompetence of the referee.” Following the protest, the Liverpool Football Association decided to hold a meeting to discuss the matter. Everton’s protest was dismissed, and Liverpool were awarded the trophy after their 0-0 draw against Preston three days after the final.