EVERTON 1 BURY 1
April 3 rd 1926. The Daily Courier.
BLUES DRAW AGAIN.
DEAN SHADOWED, BUT SCORES.
Everton, in the Everton way made their 18 th draw, against Bur. They are the accepted champion drawest. It was, nevertheless a fine game, and a holiday crowd of 35,000 thoroughly enjoyed it. Bury fought hard for their equalising goal in the second half, and having got it were satisfied, and ceased to worry for more. It was a tale of two bonny goals –Bury's was the climax to a series of moves almost too fast to follow. Supporters were pleased to see Dean scoring after the first 20 minutes, veilance of late as to create his false impression that he has lost form. If Dean is so shadowed he may not get many more goals this season. That great, cool artist Bradshaw, of the Buchan touch, paid him particularly attention. Troup and Chedgzoy would whip in centres but as soon as Dean made for the ball two or three men descended on him. It is to his credit that when a real opportunity came he took advantage of it.
OBVIOUS.
You could see this goal coming as soon as Troup slammed it from the left. Both the Bury backs closed in on Dean; in fact one got the ball, but it slipped through his legs and Dean, turning round smartly, fired out of the reach of Richardson. It was gratifying to see Richardson the regular goalkeeper, back again, and to know that the injury to his head which has kept him out of the side was not so serious as anticipated. A slow motion picture of Bury's goal would show: - Robbie slipping in a great centre to Bullcock, who headed in, Raitt saved with his head, and Gale also headed back to little Amos, who sent the ball goalward again. A goal was inevitable, and Raitt, guarding the empty goal, tried to head out, but in doing so helped the ball in. No blame attached to Raitt, but possibly Hardy should have got back to his goal again in time. Anyway Bury deserved the goal, but it did not induce them to put more pep into the game.
BATTEN.
Batten, in the home forward line, truly curled out of his shell with a dashing, persevering display. With just a little more sting behind his shots he will prove a valuable acquisition. Troup is not the easiest of players to partner, for the tricky little winger is not always orthodox in his methods. Troup is a virtuoso sometimes better than others, but this was one of his good days, and his centres came flying across with mathematical precision alas! often wasted. On the other wing, Chedgzoy is always out for a ding-dong display; he was, as customary, an energetic raider, but it was a surprise to see him at times placing the ball at the side of the net. It was also disappointing to see Dean balloon the ball over from a fine centre from Chedgzoy early in the second half. Chedgzoy hurt his leg early on, and this evidently interfered with his game. Irvine gave another useful display, featuring smart footwork and several neat taps to Dean.
IN THE AIR.
Throughout the ball was too much in the air, but with a light ball and hard ground it seemed inevitable. There was considerable over-kicking by the defences, and the conditions seemed to make placing by Brown, Reid, and Hart, the home halves, difficult at times. An object-lesson how the centre-half position should be filled was provided by Bradshaw, cool and collected, a regular hewer of wood and drawer of water to his forwards, popping up from nowhere in particular when ever required. His constructive work also was masterful, for every kick had a purpose. The home backs were a sound pair. Raitt gave us quite a parlour game for him, but once or twice the Amos and Ball wing went near disturbing his equanimity; McDonald, sound as ever had the perfect understanding with his partner. It has to be recorded that Referee Caesley gave a fine exposition with his whistle, and helped towards a really attractive game. Teams: - Everton: - Hardy goal, Raitt and McDonald, backs, Brown, Reid, and Hart; half-backs, Chedgzoy, Irvine, Dean, Batten, and Troup, forwards. Bury: - Richardson, goal, Heap, and Adamson, backs, Brooks, Bradshaw, and Ward, half-backs, Robbie, Gale, Bullock, Ball, and Amos, forwards. Referee Mr. Caseley.

BURY RESERVES 1 EVERTON RESERVES 0
April 3 rd 1926. The Daily Courier.
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 34)
Seven thousand spectators witnessed a hard gratifying game at Gigg-lane, in which Everton were beaten only because of their inability to realise numerous chances which excellent open play carved out. Bury scored the only goal of the game five minutes from the interval through Vernon. Kendall kept a fine goal, Hamilton and Kerr defended stubbornly, while Bain was promising among, the half-backs. Weaver and Parry centred beautifully. All the forwards lacked finishing power . Everton: - Kendall, goal, Hamilton, and Kerr, backs, Peacock, Bain, and Rooney, half-backs, Parry, Rand, O'Donnell, Kennedy, and Weaver, forwards.

MORE POINTS FOR VILLA
Sports Argus - Saturday 03 April 1926
EVERTON WELL BEATEN AT THE PARK
INCIDENTS
By “Crusader.”
Following their fine win over Arsenal at Villa Park yesterday, Aston Villa were at home again to-day for the second of their holiday matches, when Everton were the visitors.  When the teams met on the Merseyside in November the points were divided, each side scoring a goal, while in the corresponding game at Villa Park last season Villa won 3-1.  Aston Villa made one change in their team as compared with the side that defeated Arsenal yesterday.  Moss came in at half-back for Muldron.  Chedgzoy was an absentee in the Everton eleven.  He was unable to play owing to an injured thigh, and Parry filled the vacancy.  Aston Villa; Jackson; Bowen, Mort; Johnstone, Dr. V.E. Milne, Moss; Stephenson, Kirton, York, Walker, Dorrell.  Everton; Hardy; Raitt, McDonald; Brown, Reid, Hart (Captain); Parry, Irvine, Dean, Batten, Troup.  Referee; Mr. E.E. Small (Bristol).  There were about 25,000 people present when Villa kicked off.  They opened with a fast movement on the left, and York dropped the ball on to the top of the net.  Everton’s reply to this challenge was swift, and Irvine and Parry headed a dangerous movement, but Moss and Dr. Milne were seen to advantage in some bright defensive work.  They were able to ward off the attack, but the visitors returned by the left wing, and Batten put the ball into the net a moment after he was given offside.  After eight minutes, however, Everton scored with as simple a goal as could possibly be seen.  They had been repelled momentarily, after taking a corner kick, when Hart lobbed the ball into the goalmouth.  Jackson was waiting for the ball to drop into his hands and was in the act of clearing when DEAN rushed up and got the ball into the net to the surprise of the Villa defenders.  Stimulated by this early success, Everton for several minutes, brought pressure to bear, and Troup put across a couple of centres which led to scrimmages.  Bowen eventually cleared, and the Villa forwards played with a dash in their efforts to equalize.  Two flag kicks proved of no avail, and when Stephenson made an accurate centre Walker went near with a hook shot, but Hardy scooped the ball away from near the post.  The Everton raiders were quicker on the  ball and were methodical in their passes.  Their wing men, too, were speedy, and several minutes elapsed before their attacks were repulsed.  Mort checked a nice combined movement by Irvine and Parry, and a powerful return by Bowen led to pressure upon the Everton goal.  On several occasions the backs were forced to kick into touch to gain relief.  A centre from Dorrell was turned behind the goal, and a pass from Dr. Milne was headed smartly a foot past the post by Walker.  Villa improved considerably.  There was a welcome crispness and dash in their finishing work, and their bright display was rounded off by an excellent goal by YORK.  After the forwards had maneuvered for position the ball was put across to York, who crashed it over the outstretched hands of Hardy into the back of the net.  York might easily have given Villa the lead a moment later, for after an exactly similar movement the ball went to York, but on this occasion he shot over.  There was another thrill, and a narrow escape for Everton, when Johnstone centred from the corner flag and Hardy jumped out and foiled Walker, who was in the act of converting the centre.  He game continued to be fast and full of incident, and Everton supplied a note of excitement when Reid put the ball forward to Dean, who raced away in a sparkling fashion.  At point-blank he shot splendidly, and Jackson punched away when all seemed lost.  The goalkeeper deserved the cheers with which the clearance was greeted.  Before the cheering had died away Villa swept down upon the Everton goal, and as the ball was centred it was pushed out by Hardy as Walker and York attempted to score.  The ball went out to Dorrell, who as he raced in made a low, fast, first-time drive.  All that Hardy could do was to get his foot to the ball and it curled out.  It was a fortunate save!  A couple of minutes before the interval Villa again raided, and Stephenson centred after some clever footwork.  McDonald handled in the penalty area, and WALKER scored from the spot kick.  On the run of the play during the first half, Villa deserved their lead.  There was an unpleasant incident in the last minute of the half, in which Walker and Irvine were the leading figures.  The referee took the two men aside and then called up a linesman, and the four men were together for some short period.  The half-time whistle then sounded, and as the teams left the field Walker and Irvine left in the company of their respective captains. 
Half-time; Aston Villa 2, Everton 1
Villa’s forwards figured in some fast work immediately upon resumption, and their best effort followed a combined movement which ended when Dorrell centred.  Walker’s attempt a header just failed, and York with a smashing shot sent the ball high over the bar.  In another raid Kirton was a fraction of a second too late with his shot, and Hardy skillfully took the ball from his toe and cleared.  Villa continued on the attack, and Stephenson made headway, but he was fouled from behind, about a foot onside the penalty area.  Hardy caused some amusement by the way he ran out and pointed to the exact spot where the offence took place.  Walker took the free-kick, and Hardy pulled the ball from under the bar in masterly fashion.  This clearance and a swinging pass by Reid enabled Everton to attack, and following some swift footwork an opening was forced for Dean, who was about to shoot when Mort cleared.  Everton’s raids, however, were spasmodic is character up to this time and the dangerous work was done by Villa.  After 61 minutes’ play, there was a scrimmage in the goal mouth and after YORK had struck the bar he got e ball when it rebounded and forced it in the net.  This further reverse nettled Everton, and for two or three minutes they improved, but their footwork lacked its former method and was desperate in character.  Mort and Bowen, however, were resolute in their defensive work, and the attacks faded out when Irvine shot over the bar during a scrimmage.  There was more danger in Villa’s work and after Walker and Dorrell had shown an excellent understanding in a bout of passing, Dr. Milne shot from long range, only to see York get in the way of the ball.  York, however, promptly touched it to Dorrell, whose first-time shot skimmed the bar.  Although so heavily in arrears Everton were quick to take advantage of every opening, and Troup sent in a centre which curled in awkwardly and Jackson cleared.  The ball went to Reid who promptly made a long drive and again Jackson saved.  In the last minute of the game Walker and Brown collided heavily and Walker had to led off the field with an injured shoulder.  Everton’s early promise was not fulfilled.  Their half-backs fell away, while their backs often wavered under pressure.  Hardy, however, kept a fine goal.  Villa’s victory was well deserved.  York led the forwards in dashing style and showed improvement as a marksman.  In defence Bowen was resolute and volleyed with confidence and power.  Result; Aston Villa 3, Everton 1. 

OLD TIMERS AND TIMERS
Liverpool Football Echo- Saturday, April 3, 1926
VICTOR HALL A WORD OR TWO IN DEFENCE OF FOOTBALL MARKSMEN
Shoot! Shoot! Shoot man! Ah-h-h, Oh!?  You know that sound?  You’ve heard it?  You’ve heard that short bark to the flying bustled athlete, panting after a grueling, twisting race down the field, in which ankles, knees, and thighs are still tingling from kicks and thrusts en route when as he close into range, with his heart nearly bursting with lung pressure and his eyes starting from his head, or half closed with wind or rain, the shouts grow in volume as he delivers the final kick.  Then the cry tails off into a groan of “Ahs” as the ball curls away from the goal targets or gets hopelessly skied to the corner flag.  Then the final and dismaying “Oh” from a crowd that shows its annoyance and disgust at the failure of the unlucky shooter.  I wonder how many men of those who are so severe on forwards who fail at goal shots play billiards?  If they ever do, or did, play billiards or even watched a game they should know something of the care and precision that not only the best players, but every player exhibits, when is sighting his cue on the cue ball.  He knows that unless he takes careful aim the cue ball will not travel in the precise direction he requires on order to make his shot. 
THE SHOT IN FLIGHT
Now if all that care and precision is necessary in order to get a precise effect in billiards, it surely stands to reasons that more allowance should be made in football for the player who has always to take his shot not only on the run, but many times with the target view obscured by the body of an intervening player!  Would you blame a billiard player who had to take his shot under similar conditions if he missed?  Supposing, for argument, that the player had to run to the table, pick up his cue, and “shoot” his ball, all within a third of a second, would you expect him to get his cannon or his pot?  Would you howl at him if he missed?  Yet this is what you do in nearly every football match you watch.  You may argue that it is easier to kick the football in the required direction because the ball is so much bigger than a billiard ball and the target of the goal is so much bigger than the target of the billiard pocket, or the object ball.  But is there really that useful difference?  I very much doubt it.  It is only a matter of degree.  Because the relation in size of the cue to the billiard ball is much more definite at the point of impact than is that portion of the player’s boot that impels the football in any given direction.  Except for a penalty or place kick, the football player rarely gets time to take a deliberate, unhampered shot at the goal.  The ball is generally either taken while the player himself is on the run, or while the ball is a quickly moving mark from another player’s propelling force.  Now, what sort of a “shot” would an average billiard-player be if he had to aim his cue while his own ball was not only moving but travelling fast?  Remember, please, that the same influences that make a billiard player a good shot are the influences that make a football player a good shot, too!  That is, strength of the stroke position of cue, knowledge of angles, influence of “side,” “drag” and “top” on the ball, with the added handicaps of wind pressure, rain, fog, or sun.  To add to the handicap the objective is in constant risk of impediment by goalkeeper or intervening player before the ball is delivered at the target goal.  Your billiard player is never flurried or breathless while taking his deliberate shot, nor is he bruised or sore from a recent mangling by his opponent.  Now in football a player has only his brains and his boots with which to exercise all those influences on the ball that are required and exercised by the billiard player.  He must hit the ball in the one precise hundredth part of its surface with just the one precise twenty-fifth part of his boot and he must do both these things exactly correct, in possibly the third or half of a second, of fail!  Now, how would you had to try this on and have twenty or thirty thousand people looking on ready to howl if you miss?  You know how you feel in a billiard room with only half a dozen looking on if you miss an easy chance and you and your ball were both at rest while you took your shot. Think of that billiard stroke you missed, next time you watch a player sky a ball he should have put into the net.  After all, he only got his “one” too far under the ball that is all.  You often forget to chalk your one, too, the player rarely omits to kick the ball altogether.  You have done that you know, when you miss chalking your cue!  Just consider all this time that unless the player has allowed for every point of influence the shot will be wrong.  A traction of an inch at the wrong angle of his boot or traction of an inch right or left, top or bottom of the spot where his boot touches the ball, an error of angle in his last fleeting glance at the narrow goal posts, or a momentary forgetfulness of the strength or direction of the wind, and all is wasted.  The laboring race up the field, the twists and feints by which he retained the ball and defeated the opponents, all lost in the twinkle of an eye; and then to crown the irony of his heroic endeavor there comes yells and angry cries from those of the crowd, who should be first to shout “Bravo” and acclaim the perfection of physical fitness and great endeavor.  I would be proud of our Liverpool spectator.  When I visit some football grounds I am always proud of Liverpool’s football citizens no matter which club they support.  It is because I am so proud of them I would like them to rise to heights of chivalry in the regard in which they hold their players.  Believe me, the heart of a football player is, in nine ease out of ten, the heart of a hero.  When you recall the striving and struggle of battle in every League match he plays, when you allow for the risk to limb or injury he carries in every game, and when you see him strive to the point of physical collapse in order to bring you the joy of victory, d, if you have the instincts of a sportsman, gave him the kindly word and the expression of your acknowledgement. 

EVERTON AT VILLA PARK
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, April 3, 1926
BEE’S DESCRIPTION COMMENT ON HOW THE CHAMPIONS OF SIXTEEN DAWS FARED
Aston Villa; Jackson; Smart, Mort; Johnstone, Dr. Milne, Moss; Stephenson, Kirton, York, Walker, Dorrett. Everton; Hardy; Raitt, McDonald; Brown, Reid, Hart (Captain); Parry, Irvine, Dean, Batten, Troup.  Referee L.F. Small, of Bristol.  Villa Park, Saturday. 
The mounted police were brought out but one would have preferred a watering cart.  Gee, it was hot!  One spectator was in his shirt sleeves, and I would have discarded my coat had I had the nerve to do so.  McDonald and Raitt were not too sound and Chedgzoy was an absentee, Parry taking his place.  For instance, the spectators will form three sides of the ground.  The idea is to ensure the stand being ready for the opening day next season.  It will be a palatial affair and, to my mind, will pay for itself in next to no time.  Villa Park and Twickenham stands were duly noted by Everton officials before they set out on their new venture, so they worked on solid foundations.  After the Villa’s win yesterday, the first for six weeks, the side drew about 26,000 spectators.  I suppose the fine weather took the other citizens to Bromsgrove, Lickey, and Sutton Coldfield. 
REFEREE, MAKES AMENDS
Hart won the toss, and at once Reid missed his kick and offered York a chance.  York drifted to outside left and tamely hooked wide.  Batten had a swirling run on his own, and Irvine, with a good dribble, was wrongly pulled up for offside.  The referee seemed to realise this, for he gave a free kick for hands against Moss, who had unsuccessfully tried to handle the ball.  Batten netted securely only to find off-side at his bar.  Hardy did not pick up at all clean, and a back punted away from Troup to centre, and Parry, racing up, made Jackson hand out for a corner. 
DEAN USES HIS HEAD
This corner was fatal.  Parry took it, and the ball went to Hart, who lobbed it towards goal, and Jackson, having the use of his hands, should have punched clear.  Instead, Dean got his cranium to the ball and back headed it over the line.  Time six minutes, and Everton full of confidence.  Irvine pleased the old Aston bridge by his sinuous dribbles, which reminded them of Joe Bache’s work at the ground.  Mort’s big, sure lunges were also a source of delight, and one such stopped Parry when he was in full flight for goal.  Unfortunately Irvine was soon crocked, and called for Elliott’s embrocation.  The best of the villa men for some time was Dorrell.  A free kick against Moss let in Batten with a nice header to Dean, whose instant shot was saved by Jackson after which McDonald was knocked out in collision with York.  Mac was “heady” and Irvine “limpy.”  Dr. Milne tried hard to pull the Villa together, but Walker, who is generally a main opening was easily robbed.  He played like a tired man. 
EQUALISER BY YORK
Everton in every department were the nipper side, and Parry and Troup set their rivals’ nerves on edge.  The crowd was inclined to biting sarcasm; but when the home eleven woke up, and Walker made a leader of spirit, they forgot scorn and they cheers mightily.  McDonald missed his kick, and York, close in, made Hardy save.  One moment later, York, the new-made centre, drove in a terrific shot from just outside the penalty area, a really great shot.  Two minutes later York missed a sitter two yards out.  Funny game, football.  Villa now got out of their slothful air.  Hardy made a nice one-handed catch, following which came a great run by Dean, who seemed all too sure of scoring when Jackson performed a miracle, beating out a rocket shot.  He had some luck in saving, but it was a marvellous piece of work nevertheless.  The Everton half-backs as yesterday were doing great work, but they were not in the hunt when York put Dorrell in for what seemed a gift.  Hardy had sized up the situation, and shooting out his foot he turned the ball away.  This rather balanced Jackson’s wonder working. 
PENALTY GOAL BY WALKER
When Stephenson centred over, York and Walker rushed in and pitched into the net without touching Hardy.  Away went Everton, and with a further free kick against Moss, Batten nearly stole through.  Near half-time McDonald jumping up, tired to stem Stephenson’s centre, handled, and Walker scored from the penalty.  Thus had Everton’s confidence been warped and a lead had gone into a deficit.  It was a surprise turn round, but near half-time Everton had been on the defensive for a longish spell.  The referee called Irvine and Walker together on the far side of the ground, and no one could tell what was happening except that Irvine was very excitedly complaining. In the end the referee consulting a linesman, and spoke to both players.  As the teams left the field, the two players resumed a fierce argument, and had to be called off by their respective captains
Half-time; Aston Villa 2, Everton 1
THE HOUSE OF YORK
NEW VILLA CENTRE FROM THE WING
EVERTON BEATEN AT ASTON
GOOD START & “LAME” FINISH IN HOT AIR-BY “BEE”
When the teams returned to the fray some of the players=, feeling the heat of the day, lay down to rest just as cricketers do between times.  At once the Villa went off to attack, but Brown stopped them in his own strong way.  Hardy, not for the first time in his life with Everton, left his goal when all seemed lost, till Reid dropped back, but Reid took a long time to kick away, and York charged his big frame to earth and then shot high over –an absurd finish.  Everton were now tiring, and their forwards had lost their early sparkle –and combination.  Irvine was still limping painfully and, of course, this was one of the reasons of their failing.  Stephenson raced away and McDonald tripped him up. 
AN ORDER FOR HARDY
Hardy left his goal to show the exact spot (just outside the penalty area), and the referee ordered him back to his goal, where Hardy proceeded to make a save of the free kick.  Irvine now went outside right, Parry moving inside.  There was still only a goal in it, and there would have been two if Raitt had not volleyed and thundered in splendid manner.  The Villa were undoubtedly on their toes, and surprising sharp considering how tamely they opened.  Everton’s defence was considerably harassed, and their forwards gave them little respite.  Wherever Dean went the Doctor followed. 
YORK’S DAY
The persistent pressure of the Villa was bound to take effect, and in 65 minutes York scored in a scrimmage after the ball had bobbed against the cross-bar.  Hardy tried to punch away, and hit York’s head instead.  York fell into the net, and took a little time to receive his normal self.  The best shot of the match was sent in by Dorrell.  It acroplaned as it sped on, and was only inches too high.  This was a great effort, and had no answer from Everton’s attacking five; in fact, they were under fire for twenty minutes. 
TRANSFORMATION COMPLETE
The transformation was complete, yet Parry twice went near Jackson, being lucky with one of his handling cases.  York was a great delight to the home crowd.  He recalled Hampton with his dash, and his electric bursts of speed were added to by a deadly shot.  Yet a few weeks ago we were all taking of York as England’s outside right.  Even so unassuming and quiet a player as Brown was spoken to by the referee.  Perhaps it was the best of the day, as well as the heat of the moment.  Everton had one spell of attack, and Troup and D. Reid shot splendidly when their chance arrived.  York nearly got a third, Hardy running out to smother what would otherwise have been a certainly.  The teams were now dog-tired.  Walker was hurt; apparently he had damaged his collar bone.  Final; Aston Villa 3, Everton 1. 

EVERTON RES V WOLVES RES
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, April 3, 1926
Everton, for the major portion of the first half, at Goodison Park, were the principal attackers, but they found it impossible to get the ball into the Wolverhampton goal.  The principal failing was the inability of the inside forwards to round off this work.  Canavan, in the visitors goal, effected many good clearances, including a penalty kick from O’Donnell.  The Wanderers’ attacks were spasmodic, but one of these efforts brought a goal, Harrington scoring from Bradford’s free-kick for hands against Hamilton. 
Half-time; Everton Res nil, Wolverhampton Wanderers Res 1. 

BURSCOUGH RANGERS V EVERTON “A”
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, April 3, 1926
(George Mahon Cup)
At Burscough.  Burscough pressed severely from the start.  Jones saved very cleverly from Bennett, the home centre forward.  Burscough continued the pressure, but Braithwaite and Gaskell proved dour defenders for Everton, and several chances of scoring were only just missed by the Burscough forwards, who, though playing well in midfield finished badly.  Everton were chiefly continued to their own half. 
Half-time; Burscough Rangers 3, Everton “A” 0

WORDY WORDS AT VILLA PARK
Liverpool Echo-Monday, April 3, 1926
Bee’s Notes
At Aston Villa’s handsome ground one saw a strange result and wordy warfare in the worst sense of the terms.
NOT USUAL
The sides have been such pals ever since the early days of football that it was strange to think of players being called over for an inquest.  No one except the players knew what was the cause of this unusual happening.  It appears from information received after the game, that Irvine complained of dangerous play on the part of Billy Walker.  Irvine complained and got as answer, he alleges, a foul expression.  Walker went to the referee to complain that it was Irvine who was the foul merchant, and the argument was not allowed to drop even when the players were leaving the field.  Irvine was incensed at the way the crowd treated him, and anyone who knows him knows that he is not a foul player; and moreover, that he gets more injuries than most forwards through hanging on to the ball; still one cam justly say that the many does not provide a case where he retaliated. 
UNJUSTIFIED
Now near the end, Irvine having gone outside-right through his damaged ankle, there was an accident.  Walker dropped to the ground like a log, and went off the field with a damaged shoulder or collar-bone.  How did it happen?  It was right opposite to the press stands and not a soul in the press box could say that Walker had been touched by anyone.  He was yards away from Brown, yet the crowd fastened on to Brown and booed him.  Irvine and Brown swear they did not touch the player.  Having said that I am going to put plain fact on paper when I say that Brown was cautioned twice.  It is a most uncommon experience for him, and those who see him every other week will be hard to convince that he is a rough player.  I am going to say that I saw no reason for two cautions. 
ENOUGH
Sufficient has now been said of these incidents.  Let us to the game.  It was all Everton’s for twenty minutes.  They played sterling football in that period and looked comfortable winners.  Irvine then went lame and this had a great deal to do with the defeat; added to which there was the penalty incident for hands against McDonald, who denies that he handled the ball intentionally –I made it a genuine handle case-and perhaps more than all there was the bar to Everton’s confidence when Referee Small, of Bristol, gave Batten offside after he had scored a very well-worked goal.  I could not judge, being at a very bad angle.  But Everton aver that Batten was onside.  Altogether it was a wordy match and in the end Villa won right readily, having had a bundle of attacks in the second half against half-backs who began to tip-tap to each other rather than feed their forwards.  I thought the display of Raitt was again on high standard; his big volleying at awkward angles was a joy. 
OTHER MEN IN THE GAME
Hardy was at fault with the third goal, but made some good saves.  His penchant for running out was once again too patent for words, and McDonald missed his kick when tiring after a grueling succession of attacks from York, who has become a ready0made centre through his burst of speed, his pluck, and his definite shot.  The Villa have found a good centre by accident, but I wonder how long York will be able to continue without being damaged.  He takes big risks, and he is not exactly a big man to fill a centre berth.  Dean up against the best half-back on view, Dr. Milne, had few chances, but impressed the natives with his general work.  But the visitors forwards line never moved in convincing manner in the second half, and only Troup showed up steadily and well all through.  Batten’s first half was fine; his second was tending towards slowness.  Parry of course, never had a chance once his wing was broken up, but early on he did quite well.  In the half-backs there was little between Hart and Reid.  Hart kept a tight rein on his wing, and Reid got through a heavy day’s work with some credit.  Altogether it was not a Villa-Everton match; it was too argumentative and scrambling. 

ASTON VILLA 3 EVERTON 1
April 5 1926. The Daily Courier.
EVERTON FLATTER TO DECEIVE.
“INCIDENTS” MAR GAME AT VILLA PARK
For half an hour, at Villa Park, Everton well held their own, but after that they gradually fell away and were truly beaten at the close. Indeed, they were periods in the second half when they played like a jaded and dispirited team. Yet they stated promisingly enough, and were leading at the end of seven minutes play. Prior to that Batten had netted a disallowed goal, Referee Small ruling that he was offside.
DERSERVED WIN.
However, it is necessary to point out that one of the Villa's three goals was from a penalty, and that for a major part of the second half Irvine was a "passager" on the wing, having hurt his foot. Still, when all is said and done, the victors deserved their win as theirs was the more forceful football. There was a regrettable incident just before the interval. Irvine and Walker came to loggerheads and for a few moments the situation looked ugly. The incident was the more lamentable as, from what could be gathered after the match, it arose out of some trivial circumstance unworthy of a quarrel. Fortunately the referee handled the affair with excellent tact, and after speaking to both players the game proceeded. The two men, however, renewed their argument as they adjourned for the interval, but it ended at that.
DEAN'S GOAL.
In opening the scoring for the Blues' Dean showed opportunism. Hart had lobbed the call towards goal, and Dean, dashing between Bowen and Mort, twisted himself round and nodded a goal with the back of his head. From then till York equalised the visitors held their own, but after the penalty which gave their rivals the lead they were clearly the interior side. McDonald played a leading part in this score since he handled a centre sent in from the right by Stephenson. He protested against the referee's decision, but it was unavailing. Walker took the penalty kick , and although Hardy made a gallant leap at it, he was unsuccessful. A GREAT SAVE.
Two other incidents that stood out before the interval was a break through by Dean, who looked all over a scorer, but Jackson brought off a wonderful one-handled save. The incident was almost paralleled at the other end a little later. Stephenson had worked down the right, and after drawing the defence passed to York, when gave to Dorrell. It looked as good a thing for this player as it had for Dean. But Hardy, running up close to the goalpost, smothered the shot by dropping to his knees at precisely the right moment. There was never the life in the play of the Blues, after the interval that there had been before. Their game was frequently scrappy, but it must be forgotten that their attack was disorganised through Irvine's injury. Twice luck saved them when York and Walker appeared to have the visitors' goal at their mercy. There was one shot from York almost vicious in its force that just skimmed the cross-bar. The same player shot wide twice a little later from an easy position. Then there was still another occasion when Reid saved them by kicking out from an open goal.
THE THIRD.
The Villa got their third at the end of 65 minutes, following a scrimmage in front of goal, which ended with York forcing the ball into the net. Once Dean, from a pass by Batten, found himself splendidly placed, and would probably have scored, but he was pulled up for off-side. There was some booing in the last few minutes when Walker came in collision with Brown, and had to retire. It was poor sportsmanship on the part of those booed, because it was as obvious as anything could be that it was as pure accident. It was not a great game. Everton were a palpably tired side at the close, and the events of the match did not tend to stimulate them excessively. Both McDonald and Raitt have been more convincing. Reid worked gallantly at centre half, and Hart and Brown did much valuable work.
RAGGED.
Forward, the Blues were ragged. There was not the thrust and business methods about their play after the interval that there was about the Villa's. Troup did well in the first half, but was less conspicuous in the second. Parry, who by the way took Chedgzoy's place, played promisingly. Dean, as usual worked hard, but he was up against a tough proposition in Dr. Milne; Batten's passes were judicious, but in the second half the whole line was well held by the Villa halves. Stephenson and Dorrell were a couple of able wingers for the visitors. York was a forceful leader, who received plenty of help from walker. Teams: - Aston Villa: - Jackson, goal, Bowen, and Mort backs, Johnstone, Dr. Milne, and Moss, half-backs, Stephenson, Kirton, York, Walker, and Dorrell, forwards. Everton: - Hardy, goal, Raitt and McDonald, backs, Brown, Reid, and Hart (captain), half-backs, Parry, Irvine, Dean, Batten, and Troup, forwards. Referee Mr. E.E. Small (Bristol)

EVERTON RESERVES 0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS RESERVES 1
April 5, 1926. The Daily Post and Mercury
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 35)
EVERTON MISS TWO PENALTYS.
Everton have struck a bad spell their defeat by Wolverhampton being the eight successive match without a win. Everton had more of the game than the Wolves, but their failing was due to weak finishing by the forwards, numerous chances being missed from easy positions. Weaver was twice brought down in the area, but even from the spot kicks, taken by O'Donnell and Kennedy, the failed to notch a point. The first penalty O'Donnell shot straight at Canavan, who scrambled the ball clear while the second was fired outside by Kennedy. Kendall made a couple of thrilling saves from Legge and Kerr, but was beaten after 25 minutes, when Harrington sent in a fast shot which travlled away from the keeper into the corner of the net. The goal roused the ‘Blues' forwards, who for a time subjected the Wolves' goal to a fierce bombardment, put without success. After the interval Everton has several opportunities of drawing level, but these chances were again ruined by wretched shooting. Towards the end they improved, and gave the spectators hopes of a goal. Kennedy shot strongly, but Canavan brought off a brilliant save. A litter later the Wolvers keeper made a couple of great clearances in quick succession. The Wolves forwards were by no means idle, but found Hamilton and Kerr a pair of resolute backs, and Kendall at all times gave a safe and confident display, his clean catching being a feature of the game. Peacock at right half also impressed. Weaver was the only forward on the home side to shine, but he also missed chances. Canavan kept a good goal for Wolves. Williams and Legge also played well for the visitors.

BELATED VILLA. 
Athletic News- Monday, April 5, 1926
FINDING FORM AT EBB OF SEASON
DEAN TO THE FORE
ASTON VILLA 3, EVERTON 1
By Brum
Aston Villa seem to have found their form time for the holiday celebration, and the four points they made against the Arsenal and Everton have improved their standing in the League table.  They are scarcely the Villa of old, and it almost comes as a surprise to-day when they really overplay their opponents, but they established a fairly pronounced superiority over Everton, although they often saw the visitors put in intrepid attacks.  When the Lancastrians took the lead after only seven minutes there were those who had an idea that the points were going to them. It was rather sensational goal and a trifle lucky. Hart put the ball towards the Villa posts, but no one anticipated danger; it was the bounce of the ball on the hard ground that did the mischief.  Jackson went to save just as DEAN sprang and headed over the Villa goalkeeper’s shoulder into the net. YORK equalised in really brilliant style, and then Macdonald handled, and Walker put the Villa ahead by means of the penalty.  York headed a third goal in the closing half, and so the Villa triumphed. 
CAPEWELL’S PACE. 
Everton were without Chedgzoy, who damaged his thigh the previous day, and Parry took his place, while the Villa made one change, Moss coming in for Muldoon. In the absence Capewell. York again led Villa attack, and led it remarkably well. His pace proved useful in the centre, and he more than once got to the ball under dangerous circumstances, when no other man in the side would have reached it so advantageously.  York has his faults. He is not specially accurate in front of goal, but the first point he obtained was a really delightful effort. He shot from quite long range, but the ball went in so near to the bar that Hardy had so chance saving.  By the way, in this game Hardy saved as many shots as any goalkeeper in the world would have done. He is wonderfully active and alert.  York’s second goal came as the result of a scramble, but the Villa deserved the lead they obtained, while York must be commended for his energy and skill.  Walker shaped brilliantly at times.  He was rather badly hurt towards the close, but the game was practically over when he left. Ho unquestionably had much to with the success of his team.  Dorrell and Stephenson were seen to advantage on the wings, and Kirton was smart the ball and did some nippy things.  Dr. Milne was the best of an excellent trio halves, and was again the smarter of the backs, although Bowen gave useful show Smart’s place.Jackson, apart from one mistake, kept goal thoroughly admirably. 
DEAN'S DASHES
The Everton attack was full of merit, and had not Dr. Milne kept Dean under close surveillance the Villa would not have had much in hand. Dean wanted all the watching that the Villa defenders could give him. He was constantly on the verge of breaking through, and when he did get the ball in a favourable position he was serious source of menace.  He was probably the most alert attacking player in the game, with the possible exception of Walker. Dr. Milne did his side good service by holding Dean so often. Parry made a useful deputy for Chedgzoy, and shone in the early stages.  Later he became somewhat subdued.   Irvine, too, failed to maintain the crisp form with which he opened. One passing run he and Parry made was an appealing piece work. Batten and Troup were often in evidence, but Bowen held the left wing fairly well. He and Johnstone are decidedly good together.  Hart was the most serviceable of the halves, but Brown also gave a great show, and Reid was by no means lacking in virility.  As for the back pair, Raitt was far better on the day than Macdonald.  Thirty thousand watched a bright, open game.  Aston Villa.—Jackson; Bowen, Mort:  Johnstone, Milne, Moss; Stephenson, Kirton, York, Walker, and Dorrell.  Everton.—Hardy;' Raitt, Macdonald; Brown, Held, and Hart: Parry, Irvine, Dean, Batten, and Troup.  Referee: E. E. Small, Bristol.

EVERTON RES V BLACKPOOL RES
Liverpool Echo- Monday, April 5, 1926
At Goodison Park.  Blackpool immediately made a raid on the home goal.  Neale sent in a great drive which Kendall cleverly caught.  Play was of a sparkling nature, and each keeper had many difficult shots to save.  Everton had slightly more of the game.  Bain, Houghton, and Rand had shots at goal, which Best scored in brilliant fashion.  Half-time; no score. 

EVERTON RESERVES 3 BLACKPOOL RESERVES 0
April 6, 1926. The Daily Courier
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 36)
There was a moderate attendance for this game at Goodison Park. The first half was fought at a great pace, and though Everton did most of the attacking, they failed to score. Best, the Blackpool goalkeeper made many fine saves. Kendall had by no means an idle time, and did well in keeping his charge intact when he saved a great drive from Neale. In the second half the Blues forwards were prominent with clever passing, but it fell to Rooney to open the score. Rooney gained possession, and after beating a couple of opponents, he fired in a great shot from 25 yards, which tavelled away from Best into the corner of the net. One minute later Bain scored a second, and five minutes from the end he added a third goal. Bain, O'Donnell, and Kendall were the outstanding players for Everton while for Blackpool Best, Martin, and Crooke did well.

EVERTON’S SCOTTISH VISITORS
Liverpool Echo- Tuesday, April 6, 1926
Bee’s Notes
Everton next Saturday introduce us to Hearts- otherwise Heart of Midlothian Football Club.  Everton will shortly take on a friendly run with Plymouth Argyle, for whom we have a special interest in view of the signing of Jack Cock, Livingstone, Forbes, &c.  Livingstone after being raced south, had a bad spell, but has got back again now, and is doing famously.  Everton are also playing Truro in due course. 
Everton play Darlington to-day for the benefit of one of the Darlington players. 

DARLINGTON 1 EVERTON 1
April 7, 1926. The Daily Courier.
EVERTON GO NORTH.
FRIENDLY GAME DRAWN AT DARLINGTON.
TOM GREAVES BENEFIT MATCH.
Like the majority of friendly games, the meeting of Darlington and Everton in a match for the benefit of Tom Greaves, the Quakers' right back, did not give a true indication of the respective strength of the clubs. Neither side was at full strength, and exchanges lacked the incisiveness, associated with League and Cup games. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant contest in which finesse and footwork were more in evidence than robust play. The Everton forward line, which was led by Batten, O'Donnell dropping back to the left back position, played attractive football in midfield, their passing being accurate and crisp. In front of goal, however, there was weakness. Parry and Rand in particular, were an effective wing, and they fully extended Joyce. Troup, on the other wing impressed the crowd with his centres, but Batten did not make the most of his opportunities, being too prone to take long range shots. The Everton half-backs kept a tight grip on the Darlington forwards in the first half, but later they were not so convincing, O'Donnell's ability as a defender was of course well-known on Skerneside, but he has undoubtedly developed since joining Everton and, with Raitt made a strong defence. Darlington were spasmodic, but when they settled down the combined well. Little, Hopper, Joyce, and Maughan being outstanding men. The Quakers' attack was not as strong as usual, but McKenzie and Little were a formidable wing, providing plenty of work for the Everton defence. Robinson was the pick of the half-backs, while Jones and Greaves were a strong pair of defenders. Everton had the better of the exchanges in the first half, and it was against the run of the game when Little netted shortly before the interval. Darlington improved, but for a long time play was tame. It looked as through the Quakers would win, but four minutes from time Rand beat Maughan for the equaliser.

NEW STAND AT GOODISON PARK
April 8 1926. The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury.
Work has begun on the Everton F.C. stand at Bullens-road. The old stand is being demolished, and at present the sight of the reninants suggest there has been a fire at Bullen road. It is believed the new stand will be up by the beginning of next season, and that the ground will them hold something like 70,000 spectators.

EVERTON AND HEARTS TEAMS FOR SATURDAY NEXT
Liverpool Echo-Thursday, April 8, 1926
Bee’s Notes
Everton are in a three-cornered mood.  They are demobolishing the dear old Bullens-road stand, and when the match with Hearts of Midlothian starts on Saturday the spectators will be accommodated on three sides.  Now the club are anxious that shareholders and ticket-holders should not forget to take their tickets with them on Saturday.  These are the arrangements; Shareholders, ticket holders, and members are being specially catered for on the Goodison-road stand, blocks D.E.F. The Heart’s team reads;- Hearts of Midlothian; White; Reid, Jamieson; Dand, Wright, Slavin; Smith, J. White, Simpson, J. Miller, Edger.  Everton; Hardy; O’Donnell, Raitt; Hart, McBain, Brown; Troup, Kennedy, Dean, Batten, Parker. 
It is worthy of mention that New Brighton directorate does not now include the name of Mr. Len Woods, the former Everton footballer.  Mr. Woods has been with the club since it formation and has decided that he cannot continue in view of his disagreement in connection with the club’s policy. 

EVERTON TACKLE SCOTTISH STARS
Liverpool Echo-Friday, April 9, 1926
Bee’s Notes the wind will blow some Hearts to Goodison Park tomorrow.  Hearts of Midlothian have been known by their results in the chart for many a moon, but few have had opportunity of seeing this clever Scottish side, and will accept Everton’s offer to see representative Scottish wares.  The visit of Scottish friends have in the last three seasons have always led to a most enjoyable match, and the quality of football has been, in many instances, better than league-al fare.  As with Liverpool, so with Everton to-morrow; there are some scouts out for the purpose of studying human form at a glance.  Hence the reading of the teams given below;- Hearts of Midlothian; White; Reid, Jamieson; Dand, Wright, Slavin; Smith, J. White, Simpson, J. Miller, Edgar.  Everton; Hardy; Raitt, O’Donnell; Brown, McBain, Hart; Parry, Batten, Dean, Kennedy, Troup. 

OLD TIMES AND TIMERS
Liverpool Football Echo- Saturday, April 10 1926
WHO’S FOR THE FINAL THIS YEAR?
VICTOR HALL RECALLS OLD TIME TRIPS
There used to be great enthusiasm years ago in Everton the night before the final tie was due for playing at Crystal Palace.  Whether Everton were in the “final” or not, there were many trippers donning their best clothes on the Friday evening and seeing the last sandwiches safely stowed away before leaving their home in Everton for the classic sward of Sydenham.  The habit had grown with the years of making up a party to go to the final with a trip “round London” thrown in, as a sort of extra attraction.  The railway companies and the excursion agents had been first in the field with offers of cheap day trips to Crystal Palace at a fare round about ten shillings for the trip there and back.  The modest fare proved very alluring, and year after year, the number of trippers had grown from the various football centres, all anxious to see the final, with London thrown in, at a cost of “half a quid.”  But a number of other people besides footballers found that the annual “trip to the final” formed a very convenient way of having a whole day in London at cheaper travel rates than offered by the ordinary excursion trip.  So it came about that while many made the journey, the company became missed from the start.  All were not football ‘fans,” and all were not Evertonians.  Wherever the excursion trains picked up fresh passengers, the interests, and the arguments, became discursive, and the journey that started in little groups of friendly units, became scattered atoms of isolated origins long before Euston was reached in the early dawn of the Cup-tie morning.  In those days the London point of debarkation was the great terminus at Euston, and football finalists had to make their own way across London to the London Bridge station for Crystal Palace, and had to make their own commissariat arrnagements there and en route. 
STRAND FOR BREAKFAST
The result was that the Strand became filled by breakfast time with wandering parties of provincials decorated with the party colours of the finalists, and all desperately in need of food, and plenty of it, with an hour or two to spare afterwards to see the sights and then under the guidance of some friendly policeman, “Who Ho! For the Crystal Palace.”  It is surprising to recall which were the favourite pilgrimage spots in those days thirty years ago that our Liverpool people used to be most curious to see!  “Madam Tussaud’s” had a great attraction for many.  Others, no doubt anxious to make a comparison with our own North Haymarket, were keen to visit Covent Garden, which Gus Elen had just made famous with his song of the redoubtable Jack Jones. 
“When he’s up at Covent Garden
 “You should see him standing all alone.”
  When in the famous market place, though, the precincts of the National Sporting Club held them in respectable aww.  Lord Charles Beresford and Lord Lonsdale had many faithful admirers in Liverpool.  A great crowd always made for “Petticoat-lane,” “Middlesex-street was famously known, though the why or wherefore of this curiosity on the part of Liverpool people always puzzled me, seeing we have had our own Petticoat-lane here at the back of St. John’s Market for the last fifty years.  With some of those old-timers, too, the grand old Charterhouse was a spot of annual pilgrimage.  The tradition as to its origin was hazy, but it looked old, and close to the legendary tavern of “Dirty Dick” gave an excuse for a morning aperitif.  St. Paul’s Westminster Abbey, and the their stride as it were.  But the two real spots where the “bloods” made for were the Strand and Leicester-square.  I suppose there must be some of the bohemian in us all, or why should those ribald music hall songs intrigue us into visiting the shrines of their votaries.  And it was the music halls, you know, that, thirty years ago, made every young man want to go “down the Strand” with or without a banana.  Whether he went “strolling arm in arm,” or with one of the “Rowdy Dowdy Boys,” he felt no end of a dog, on his return home, to be able to say he had done the Strand and Charlie Godfrey or George Lashwood were after all no better than he in doing it. 
Leicester-square never looked well in the morning.  Like its gilded habitués, the sunlight showed too plainly the pitiful wrinkles, and so the famous square was reserved for the Saturday evening after the Cup-tie, where one could crowd along the thronging pavements, and under the flashing lights, rub shoulders with “Lord Knows Who,” or Lady Jane, or merely Flo, or Kate, or Susie.  So “we all went to Leicester-square,” generally rounded up the eventful day of those train trips, though how some of the trippers found their way to Euston for the departure trains, only London cab-drivers and good-natured policemen could ever tell.  That was how it used to be when the train excursions were the only means of making the trip, but later on Everton enthusiast invented another and better system of their own.
MODERN ENTERPRISE
Sundry enterprising caterers out Anfield way discovered that a much larger number would make the annual trip to Crystal Palace if the cost could be collected and banked for them by weekly instalments, so that the Cup would not wreck the house-hold finances in any one particular week.  Men were willing to pay at sixpence or a shilling per week for twenty or thirty weeks, without feeling much discomfort, and this meant in time that instead of parties of half a dozen going together, the numbers rose by hundreds each year, until at last the total became over a thousand in individual clubs.  With such numbers to budget for, the railway people were anxious to oblique, and so whole trains were made up of saloon carriages, each carriage had its allotted party and no more, and carried its own food-and liquid.  It even consumed, or rather generated, its own smoke and provided its own concert party and orchestra, all the way there, but it mostly slept coming back.  On arrival in London, breakfast and accommodation were ready close to Euston, and thereafter waggonettes or charabancs drove the trippers on a tour through London and out by road to Crystal Palace.  Arrived there, I have often seen groups of the tired travelers calmly sleeping on the sward of the Palace grounds through the entire play of the final, and only retrieved by their home-going companions in time to make the journey back.  They had sat up and travelled all night to London, and reached the Palace all right, and then sank exhausted and slept through the whole of the match they had come hundreds of miles to see!  They never actually saw the ball, never mind the play or players.  But they had been to the final and down the Strand, had seen Covent Garden, and passed Westminister Abbey, “quite close, too.”  Some greatly daring had met a porter in Covent Garden who knew Jack Jones quite well, and had a drink with them on the strength of it.  They were great old days. 

BOLTON RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, April 10, 1926
At Bolton in brilliant weather.  The game had only been in progress four minutes when Bolton took the lead, Roberts accepting a centre from Boston and scoring with a stringing low show.  The game was very interesting and both goalkeepers had plenty to do.  Both sides worked out scoring positions well, and the ball control of the Everton side in midfield was excellent, but their shooting left much to be desired. Peacock was cautioned for some remark to a linesman.  Just before half time Middleton ran through and equalized for Everton.  Half-time; Bolton Wanderers Reserves 1, Everton Reserves 1.

BACK TO THE OLD SPOTS
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, April 10, 1926
Mr. Jack Sharp, the Everton F.C. director, and former Lancashire County Cricket Club captain, has promised Leyland that he will play for them in their Ribblesdale League matches.  He will have as partner Mr. J.C.H. Hollins, also an ex-captain, Lancashire Cricket Club. 

EVERTON’S FRIENDLY GAME WITH “HEARTS”
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday,  April 10, 1926
SERIOUS FOOTBALL MISSING, BUT HARDY MAKES MANY GOOD SAVES
By Stork
Hearts Of Midlothian;- White; Reid, Jamieson; Dand, Wright, Slavin; Smith, J. Smith, Simpson, J.Miller, Edgar.  Everton; Hardy; Raitt, O’Donnell; Brown, McBain, Hart (Captain); Parry, Batten, Dean, Kennedy, Troup. 
A HOUSING QUESTION
There was not a big crowd considering the calibre of the opposition, and the fact that a scientific exposition of the game of football was in prospect.  Goodison Park showed a strange appearance with its half-demolished stand.  It set me wondering what will happen next Saturday when Newcastle are visitors, but no doubt the directors have a scheme for housing the big crowd in mind.  Parry came right into the picture when he placed a corner kick to perfection.  It was so good in fact, that it should have brought a goal, but Dean’s header was, for once in a way, out of direction.  The Scotsmen’s football so far had not been any cleverer than that of Everton, but one particular movement on the Harts right wing was worthy of special mention, if only because of the method employed by Smith to beat O’Donnell.  He fuzzled the former Darlington man into a false belief, and then sped round him at will.  There was no finality, however, in the best phrase of his work-the centres and so Hardy was left without work when he should have been a busy man for there were three Hearts forwards waiting on Smith’s centre. 
HARDY BREAKS OUT
There was one very exciting incident when Miller rushed through all opposition, and, with a square centre, placed Smith in a perfect scoring position.  Smith had practically nothing to do but let drive and a goal was a certainly, but while he was in the act of setting the ball Hardy ran out and challenged him.  Smith, however, not undaunted, lobbed the ball over the Everton keepers head, but so slowly did the ball travel its short journey that Hardy was able to get back into his goal and prevent Miller who was standing almost on the goal line from helping the ball into the net.  The two Scottish backs had evidently subdued the fame of Dixie Dean as an opportunists. 
KENNEDY LEAVES THE FIELD
(Unfortunately last eight lines of Echo is completely unreadable, carrying on from top of page)
Full back Reid punted with such power that he actually burst the ball, and when the referee threw down the new one it was lifted up into his face.  It was not a serious blow, however; at least not so serious as the injury which Kennedy sustained when he was accidentally kicked on the head and blood flowed freely, and he left the field.  Some of the passing by the Scottish players was extremely pretty, and not only pretty but effective, and one movement in which Slavin, Miller, and Edgar participated was a sheer joy, and if Simpson had bene just the slightest bit faster, Hardy might have had to pick a ball out of the back of the net instead of running out and saving. 
A BARREN FIRST HALF
Everton’s first real drive came within a few minutes of the interval, Kennedy driving a hot ball just alongside the upright.  The Scotsmen’s one desire was to make doubly certain when in front of goal.  Several times they lost possible chances through this method, Kennedy had another try, assisted by Dean, but this time he got under the ball, which swung over the bar. 
Half-time; Everton nil, Hearts of Midlothian nil.
KEENDY UNLUCKY
The game had hardly been resumed before Kennedy received another knock on his injured eye, and for the second time had to leave the playing arena.  Troup took upon himself to shoot, but he sliced his drive which careered yards away from goal.  The Scotsmen were always the more dangerous force, and when O’Donnell made a blunder it seemed practically assured that the Scottish eleven would take the lead for Simpson was clean through and but for the fact that Hardy advanced at the right moment he would have gone on and scored.  It was a timely intervention on the part of the Everton keeper.  The Scottish people have a name for not giving anything away.  Play certainly lived up to their reputation to-day, for when Dean made a raid he had four defenders, apart from the goalkeeper, with which to contend.  Naturally, he was crowded out. 
BATTEN SCORES FROM CORNER
It was rather strange that Batten should be instrumental in obtaining a corner and scoring from it.  Parry’s flag kick dropped close in, and Batten simply headed it into the corner of the net, with W. White scrambling along in his efforts to save. 
HEARTS ON LEVEL TERMS
Within five minutes “Scotland” were on equal terms.  The two extreme wingers were the cause.  Smith finding himself out numbered, passed right across to Edger who placed the ball in the net.  They nearly got a second a minute later, had it not been for Hardy.

HEARTS' LESSON TO EVERTON.
Sunday Post - Sunday 11 April 1926
Only the magnificent display of Hardy the home goal saved Evert on from a crushing defeat in the friendly game against Hearts Goodison Park. The visitors were much the better side, and their forwards did pretty much as they liked with the Everton defence until they came to Hardy. Hardy was the hero of the match, but the spectators gave the visitors a hearty cheer at the finish. The combination and interweaving of the visitors' halfs and forwards was an object lesson. They fitted one with another beautiful fashion— the work of Miller, Edgar, and Slavin being especially conspicuous. There was no score until fifteen minutes from the end, when Batten put Everton in front. Five minutes later Edgar equalised after Smith had made a clever- run, and in the ooncluding stages the visitors would have been well front but for Hardy. White had little to do in the Heart's goal, but the Everton defence was hard pressed throughout. Result: —Everton, 1; Hearts, 1.

EVERTON 1 HEARTS OF MIDLOTHIAN 1
April 12, 1926. The Daily Courier.
16 CLEVER SCOTS AT GOODISON
A PLEASANT SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
BULLENS ROAD SIDE PRACTICALLY BEEN DEMOLISHED.
The prominence Scottish players are taking the English football was realised at Goodison Park, when 16 out of the 22 players engaged were Scots. Truth to tell there was not a great deal of difference in the style of Everton and Hearts, and one of the latter's players remarked: “we found Everton's football much like own.” There was a suggestion of staleness to be expected at the end of the season, and Everton did not put their usual vim into it. The friendly game lacked the incentive of competitive football, and there should have been a better exhibition of the finer points of the game, which the occasion provided. The regular Hearts were not on view, for there were several team experiments, yet their forwards showed at times they were masters of ball manipulation.
EXPERIMENTS.
For that matter, neither were Everton the usual side. Sam Chedgzoy and McDonald were both spectators on the stand. The acting captain, who tore the muscles of his high a fortnight ago, will be fit by Saturday. Parry at the last moment was substituted for Parker on the right wing, and Neil McBain, Everton's clever Scottish International centre half, was back again after his long absence. McBain it seems, is desirous of getting back to Scottish football, and as Everton did not wish to stand in his way he was placed on ‘he open-to-transfer list. England would lose a most attractive player if he did return across the Border. At the end of another season, talk of possible football moves was heard, though prospecting English clubs find that Scotland prefers to receive large fees than pay them.
SIMPSON.
McNeil, the Heart's regular centre, stood down in order to give Simpson, the St. Bernard's player, in the limelight of late, a show. One of Heart's officials told me that several clubs, including Newcastle, had been after the player, and as negotiations were begun that day something might be settled by the end of the week. Simpson proved a puzzling schemer, but not too good a finisher; he would have found a little more speed useful. Slaven, considering that he is really a centre-forward, did not do so badly at left half-back. Dean, our own centre, had not the opportunities that came to Simpson, for as soon as “Dixie” got a glimpse of the ball he had three or four of the Hearts on him. Hardy gave a smart exhibition during a busy afternoon, and Edgar offered him no chance with his equalising goal. Batten by a coincidence just previously had scored from a corner he had forced.
NEW STAND.
Progress is being made with the ground improvement. The directors, who have had under consideration for a long time how to increase the accommodation, have realised that they could only extend upwards. The stand on the Bullens-road side has practically been demolished, and is to be substituted by a double-decker to hold 11,000 spectators. The present official accommodation is 55,000.

BOLTON WANDERERS RESERVES 2 EVERTON RESERVES 2
April 12 1926. The Daily Courier.
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 37)
Everton Reserves earned a point at burnden Park, Bolton, where they lost 5-2 last season. They were a goal down in five minutes, Roberts scoring, but they had more of the play after the first quarter of an hour. Weaver was a source of danger to the Bolton defence and Murray ought to have improved on his good work. However, one minute from the interval a Bolton defender made a mistake, which gave Millington a chance to turn Weaver centre in the net. Fifteen minutes after the restart Murray put the visitors ahead from Rand's pass, and then J. R. Smith got the best goal of the match cleverly engineered by Picken. Everton's defence was sound, Kendall, Bain, and Peacock being outstanding, and Weaver was the best forward. Bolton defence was shaky. Everton: - Kendall, Goal, Hamilton, and Kerr backs, Peacock, Bain, and Rooney, half-backs, Parry, Rand, Murray, Murphy, and Weaver, forwards.

EVERTON’S GOOD FRIENDLY
Liverpool Echo-Monday, April 12, 1926
By Stork
Friendly games as a rule lack the fire of real competitive football, and they often fall flat through the fact that there is nothing at stake and the players are not unduly pressing themselves.  For all that these games often produce the very best type of football, especially if one side is a Scottish eleven.  In our time we have had the very best of Scotland’s great football teams down at either Goodison or Anfield-road, so it was a happy though of the Everton directors to bring down the “Hearts” to fill a blank.  I am sure all were glad to see the “Hearts,” even though they made the Everton side look ordinary stuff, and if it had not been for a great display by Hardy the Everton net would have been rocking! Hardy, without doubt, was the great man of the match.  He has been adversely criticism more than once, so it is my delight to sing his praises.  He stopped shots that appeared to have the beating of him, but he was there with catch and punch- and what a punch! Whether the ball was high or law Hardy got his hands to it, and away it went up the field.  It was Hardy’s most enterprising display, and showed exactly of what he is capable.  As against Hardy’s display W. White, in the “Hearts” goal, had little to do; but I saw in that little much to admire.  He never took a risk- although it is only correct to say that he had little troublesome work to accomplish, so few were the scoring efforts of the Everton attack.  Dean was too well held by a big and clever centre-half of the name of Wright to be at all effective.  He reminded me of Townsley, of Leeds United, with perhaps a little added artistry.  Neil McBain showed his countrymen that English football does not take away the science of the game.  He did some gorgeous things in true Scottish style.  Kennedy was the one man on the Everton side to indulge in a shot and this after he had sustained a nasty knock on the eye.  Everton scored first through Batten.  Five minute later Edgar equalized from a clever pass by Smith.  Although there was no “bite” in the game, there was much to enjoy for those who like real football –goals apart. 

EVERTON’S SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL
Liverpool Echo- Tuesday, April 13, 1926
Bee’s Notes
Troup’s is “in”
In Scotland they call him “Wee Alec,” in England the Press have called him many mis-names; Crowp, Croop, Cramp, Tripe, Crape, &c., and ho.  Half backs have called him even longer names!  Because he’s such a sliddery eel.  We all congratulate the little, busy man upon his selection for Scotland against England at Trafford Park on Saturday.  Troup has earned the honour, and with Alan Morton injured, Troup comes in to resume acquaintance with a match in which he once figured as a big name. 

RESERVES DERBY
Liverpool Echo-Wednesday, April 14, 1926
Bee’s Notes
Liverpool and Everton Central League teams meet at Goodison Park this evening, kick-off at 5.45 the teams are;- Everton; Kendall; Hamilton, Kerr; Peacock, Bain, Rooney; Parker, McBain, Murray, O’Donnell, Kennedy.  Liverpool; Riley; Longsworth, Garner; McDade, Shears, Pratt; Rawlings, Scott, Reid, Baron, McMullan.  It will be seen that Liverpool are playing their new centre forward Reid.  Kennedy is to play outside left for Everton. 

FRASERBURGH COACH FOR DUBLIN.
Aberdeen Journal - Thursday 15 April 1926
Bobbie Parker, who acted coach and trainer the Fraserbuigh Football club during the season now concluding, has been appointed coach to the Bohemians, a Dublin amateur club, and he expects to leave Fraserburgh on Saturday week to take up his new post. Parker was at one time forward With the Glasgow Rangers, and he also did with several English clubs. A severe shell wound which he sustained at Gaza, in Palestine, during the Great War, ended his active football career.

EVERTON RESERVES 2 LIVERPOOL RESERVES 2
April 15 1926. The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 38)
The Derby game between Everton Reserves and Liverpool Reserves, at Goodison Park yesterday ended in a draw of two goals each. There was an early disappointment for Reid, the Clydebank centre forward signed for Liverpool, was unable to take his place owing to the fact that his registration papers were not complete. Everton were the better team in the early part of the game, for there was greater accuracy in their passes, while the half back line backed up to better purpose than that of Liverpool. The early features were the passes of McBain. He put them through with such fine judgement that goals should have been placed to his side's credit. but there was no finish in the attack. Within five minutes Liverpool were awarded a penalty kick, when peacock was alleged to have handled. Most people though that peacock had breasted the ball, and there was some surprise when the referee granted a penalty. Pratt took the kick and drove the ball straight at Kendall, who brought off a smart save. In the second half O'Donnell netted for Everton, and McMullen equalised, but within a minute O'Donnell put Everton ahead with the best shot of the match. He took the ball on the half turn, and Riley had no chance. Only two minutes remained for play, when Rawling, after dribbling, shot into the net. It was a hard struggle and although Everton were the prettier side to watch Liverpool always promised danger when they got to within close range . Everton: -Kendall, goal, Hamilton, and Kerr, backs, Peacock, Bain, and Rooney half-backs, Parker, McBain, Murray, O'Donnell, and Kennedy. Forwards.

WHY TOM REID DID NOT PLAY
Liverpool Echo-Thursday, April 15, 1926
By Stork
No doubt the groundsman welcomed the rain with open arms, but I am certain that the reserves players of Liverpool and Everton wished it far enough away.  It spoiled what promised to be a capital game.  A draw will no doubt be satisfactory to each side.  From a purely scientific standpoint Everton were the superior, for there was more method in their progressive work despite the state of the middle place, which was more like treacle than good, solid turf.  This to some extent was all against accurate combination, but in the first half the skill of Neil McBain was made evident.  He put so many delicious passes through the middle that goals should have been an easy matter if it had not been for the quick tackling of Longsworth, who is still capable of using his wits when in a tight corner.  Our correspondent is far from a spent force, and it looks as if he would go on forever.  McBain lies back and gets the strays ball, and to what use he puts it may be imagined when he offered O’Donnell a gilt-edged chance, but the former full-back delayed his shot and lost.  There was considerable disappointment when it became known that T. Reid could not play.  His registration were held up at the Scottish end. 
R. P HOUSTON CUP FINAL
This game between Furness Withy and Garston Royal, will take place at Goodison Park on Saturday at 6 p.m. 

HAMMERS HISTORY
Liverpool Echo-Friday, April 16, 1926
Bee’s Notes
Everton go to West Ham, a side that is not out of the wood; and with this in mind one can expect the Hammers to strike hard and often.  Everton play Weaver for Troup, otherwise they are as per usual.  As per usual the “Football Echo” will give you a Sunday critique on Saturday night.  West Ham United, like Tottenham and Cardiff City, originally belonged to the old Southern League, but never pulled up any trees during the fifteen years they were there.  Their most successful period commenced when football was resumed after the war, and they were elected to membership of the Second Division.  After being well up the table for three years they eventually gained promotion at the end of 1922-23, at the same time making their first and only appearance in the Cup final in the first Wembley fiasco. 
GOOD WORDS FOR TROUP
“Sassenach” writes;
Please excuse my taking your valuable time, but in your notes someone calling himself “No Sassenach” seems rather annoyed that somebody has suggested that Troup has got in the Scotch team on account of Morton being injured.  I don’t see why he should get annoyed about it, because he does exactly the same thing- only he says it is on account of McLean being injured.  As far as I can see, it is the same suggestion, only a difference of name.  I would just like to ask “No Sassenach” if he does not think Troup has got his cap on his merits? I do, and there are hundreds of others with me.  Good luck to him tomorrow! 

BLUES IN LONDON.
April 17 1926. The Daily Courier.
CHEDGZOY RENEWS OLD ACQUAINTANCE.
A draw will probably eventuate from Everton's visit to West ham though the Hammers are a tough proposition on their own ground. Chedgzoy, who played for the London team in the war period, will receive his usual warm welcome. The teams are: - Everton: - Hardy; Raitt, McDonald; Brown, Reid, and Hart; Chedgzoy, Irvine, Dean, Batten, and Weaver. West Ham U; Hebden, and Barrett; Cater, Kay, and Coliins; Yews, Earle, Campbell, Watson, and Moore. It is rather curious that the teams' usual outside-lefts Ruffell and Troup should be operating in that position on opposite sides in today's international.

OLD TIMES AND TIMERS.
April 17, 1926. The Liverpool Football Echo.
VICTOR HALL RELATES THE PRANKS OF A FAMOUS EVERTONIAN –BOB KELSO.
Bob Kelso was a born humorist, and, being thus gifted, he found it no trouble to said a habit of practical joking that must surely leave many memories even today. Once Everton had been playing an exhibition serious of matches in Scotland. Dundee being the final game of the series. In Dundee on the morning of the match the players had an hour or two to spare and the good natured Kelso at once offered to show them over a jute factory, where he stated he personally knew some of the responsible officials. The party set out on the quest for the factory, Roberts acting as guide, and in the course the chosen factory was located, and negotiations opened with the lodge-keeper to gain admittances. Among the Everton players forming the party was one young man who had never previously been in Scotland, and who found several of the national customs strange to him. The mysteries of cupboard bed places tenement flats, and mutational porridge cooling on the windowsills, he had already experienced, but a jute factory was something new. He was consequently a sympathetic listener when the archihumorist explained to him that as none of the directors formed one of the party it would be necessary to introduce him as a director in order to gain admittance. He had in consequence, the novel experience of being introduced to one of the principals of the firm by a name altogether new to him, with the added description of being a “committeeman” of the club, a prominent Liverpool tug owner and a superintendent of a local band of hope. The principal accordingly devoted his attention and explanations of the intricate processes of the machinery and boilers, while the remainder of the party deferentially brought up the rear of the procession. The players picked out for this singular attention began to fell considerable embarrassment as the tour proceeded, by reason of finding himself wholly at sea in following the details of gear engine power heat degrees, and other technical matters, with which his guild took if for granted he would be quite familiar. To cover his confusion, he took refuge in silence and a series of nods as the description proceeded which caused the guild some surprise. But at length after an hour's progress through the extensive factory, the players could keep silence no longer. “ I cannot understand, “ said he to his host, “why you require so much sugar in a factory of this sort. There seems sugar everywhere in the boilers. Do you use sugar to make jute.” “Jute” exclaimed the owner, we don't make Jute!” What do you make then?” said the perplexed innocent. This is a marmalade factory,” replied the disgusted guide, and we make marmalade and jam.” “Oh” replied the victim,” that accounts for the oranges I noticed as we came along. I though you had got those for the girls to eat” and he looked round to explain his “discovery” to Kelso, but that archconspirator, had strangely disappeared. Later in the day he explained to the indignant victim that “jute” was what they always called “jam” in Dundee. It was months afterwards before one dare mention oranges to that particular Evertonian.
ANOTHER KELSO STORY.
Travelling through Perth Railway Station on one journey, the Everton players saloon was detached at the station platform to be added to a South bound mail train, and the delay afforded a short interval, in which some of the players left the Saloon for a stroll along the station platform. Some of the pressman accompanying the party remained in the carriage, and were later joined by the players who had been out among then Kelso, flourishing a hugh stick of confectionery locally known as “Perth Rock.” “Hello” asked one innocent youth of the press party, addressing Kelso; “where did you get that.”
“Och” relied Bob nonchalantly, “there's a man down the platform giving them away.” “Where” asked the guiless one startled into activity by this reckless enterprise –in Scotland. “He away up the platform” said Kelso, without a wink! “Are you sure he's giving them away?” persisted the credulous Saxon. “Aye” persisted Robert, “he's give us these all right” pointing to the rest of his companions each sporting a similar trophy. “Ah think it must be to advertise Perth.” That was sufficient for the victim. Something for nothing in Scotland was too great a novelty to miss, and so, although whistles were blowing to “resume” your seats,” he darted reckless from the carriage and down the full length of the train till he espied an attendant closing a carriage door, and hearing a tray with a few remnants of the free gifts.” He reached him breathless. “Please” said he in gasps and with an agony of appeal “give me one, I haven't had one” he added in some sort of palliation for his haste. “Och” are you're just in time said the giver of joy as he speedily rolled one of the coveted sticks in paper, and handed it over. “One shilling please.” The victim was sport enough to look as if he intended to have paid for it in any event, but it took him all his sprinting ability to get back to the Everton saloon in time, as the train had started to move. “Did you get one?” asked Kelso blandly as they landed him on his feet, after being dragged through the carriage windows. “Oh, aye,” said he with a catch in his voice, but he charged me a shilling.” I hear that to this day you cannot mention “Perth Rocks” with impunity to that sadder and wiser pressman. People at home were told that they gave “Perth Rocks” away up north. He knows better, though. Kelso was very fond of Oysters, and to a certain perambulating oyster merchant in the North-end of Liverpool Bob was a frequent and generous patron. At that time Bill Stewart the Everton half-back was installed in management of a prominent north-end hotel, and one afternoon some of the players, including Kelso, were playing off some rounds of a billiard handicap when the oyster man entered with his basket of stock, and the necessary plates and condiment. Spying Kelso he made for him first as one would a principal patron. “Have a few oysters Mister Kelso,” said he, with the soft brogue of the Munsterman, “they are fine and fresh today.” Bob surveyed the basketful with the critical glance of the connoisseur. Then suddenly, “How many have ye” he asked. “Eight or ten score,” replied the shipper. “We'll take the lot” replied Kelso. “Here boys” to then other players, “there's a score each for you, “ and for the next half-hour a truce was called to the billiard handicap, whilst the succulent bivalves were disposed of. “Very goo, very good; indeed” was Kelso's command as their tired oysterman wiped his hands and stocked the empty shells in his basket. “Now, how much does Bill Stewart owe you for all those?” “What” shouted the indignant Stewart, who had innocently participated in the feast, “what have I to do with it?” “Now Bill” explained Kelso, didn't you tell me to order them from Paddy for the boys as your New Year's grit” “Bill” was not to be spoofed, however, and Bob protested that the order was Stewarts and not his, declined any responsibility. Paddy, the oysterman, looked anxiously from one to the other for payment fee his vanquished stock while the other players who had joined in the feast looked foolishly on at the disputants. At one time when the argument appeared to be getting heated, the oysterman picked up his basket to depart “ Come back Paddy” cried Kelso” a Scotsman is a man of his word” and the money was paid over by Bob, with a broad wink -to the delighted salesman, and an added tip that restored good homour on both sides. Bob was a great bot at Everton.

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo- Saturday, April 17, 1926
By Louis T. Kelly

• Johnnie Blair, the ex-Everton amateur centre forward, has signed League forms for the Arsenal- an enthusiast this.

EVERTON AT WEST HAM
Liverpool Football Echo- Saturday, April 17, 1926
“DUVAL” DESCRIBES THE HAMMERS’ EFFORTS TO DODGE THE RELEGATION BOGEY
Everton; Hardy; Raitt, McDonald; Brown, Reid, Hart; Chedgzoy, Batten, Dean, Kennedy, Weaver.  West Ham United; Hufton; Hebden, Barrett; Cater, Eastman, Collins; Yews, Earle, Campbell, Watson, Moore.
Everton were in town to-day meeting the West Ham side, who feared the relegation bogey man.  No change was made by Everton save at outside left, where Weaver came in to take Troup’s place in view of the latter being “internationalized.”  Everton made a change from the side originally selected Batten partnering Chedgzoy, and Kennedy filling the inside left position as partner to Weaver. 
DETERMINED HAMMERS
There was no mistaking the earnestness of the Hammers who made Hardy clear three fine shots in the opening stages.  Campbell’s was the best effort, and it was fortunate for Everton that Hardy was keen and alert.  Everton made little headway until Batten broke through but he failed to gather the ball, and his effort lacked a shot.  West Ham kept up the attack, and a really clear move by Watson let in Moore, who had a good chance but sent yards too high. 
DRESSING ON THE LEFT
This was a great chance lost, and was followed by a demonstration on the Everton left, which resulted in Kennedy shooting wide.  Everton came into the picture again when Batten nicely left the ball for Chedgzoy, and the outside man darted in to send a hard drive inches too high.  Everton had neutralized the effect of the good work of West Ham in the opening minutes had found their level and were, in a sense the superior side.  Indeed, it might be said that there was more fire in the Everton attack.  Dean was thrustful and, though following up, almost surprised Hufton. 
WHAT HARDY LIKES
Watson ought to have scored when he shot hard and straight for Hardy to make a brilliant save.  Hardy should not, however, have been given a chance because Watson was so splendidly placed.  Hufton was almost beaten by one of his own side, when Barrett made a poor attempt to get the ball away, Hufton being lucky to get his hands to the ball when Batten was in close attendance.  West Ham played on while Everton foolishly appealed for offside.  Yews got the ball across and Raitt was only just in time to kick it off the goal line from Watson’s shot.  Earle was clever and as methodical as usual, and his deft passes were very helpful to the Hammers’ attack.  In addition Earle was not slow to shoot as opportunities offered, and with a clever side tap he gave Hardy an anxious few minutes. 
INCREASING EARNESTNESS
The game increased in interest, and with both sides showing improvement the 20,000 spectators had something to enthuse about.  It was good, earnest football, with an occasional brilliant spell.  As, for instance Chedgzoy put in a sparkling run, and although he crossed the ball at a nice pace and length the position was not improved upon.  Hammers certainly had more chances than Everton, and although their preliminary work was good, they lacked the power to clinch at the crucial moment.  Everton’s attack was not consistent; the forwards had brief spells of good work, but it was too intermittent to be damaging to the Hammers’ defence.  With a little more driving power, the Hammers should have taken the lead, and there was little excuse for Campbell, who placed rather than shot, the ball into Hardy’s hands.  Half-time; No score. 
EVERTON LOSE IN TWON
WEST HAM’S APPEAL FOR GOAL
The Everton forwards did not hang together well, chiefly because their half-backs were not good providers.  Once, however, Chedgzoy, with a clever, sweeping run, went through the opposite in his best style, but the effort was wasted through lack of co-operation.  There was more danger when Chedgzoy shot hard at Hufton, and the Hammers custodian saved well by punching the ball out from the corner of the goal.  Then the Hammers had another distinct chance, and there was an element of luck in Hardy’s clearance when he shot out his foot to meet Yew’s drive, the ball being cleared before the Hammers cold take advantage of a really fine chance.
A GOAL APPEAL
Everton goal had a miraculous escape when Earle shot, and bouncing from the upright the ball appeared to cross the goal line. West Ham appealed strongly that the ball went over the line, but the referee refused to allow the point- it was a very near thing indeed. 
GOAL BY CAMPBELL
Ten minutes from the end Campbell scored for West Ham.  Final; West Ham United 1, Everton 0. 

EVERTON RES V PRESTON RES
Liverpool Football Echo- April 17, 1826
Everton played Parry at outside left, and Preston made several changes.  Winning the toss Everton had the sun behind them, but in the first few minutes play was confined to midfield.  Preston forced a corner which Young accurately placed, and Woodhouse headed past Kendall, after five minutes.  Everton attacked strongly, but their shots chiefly came from longer range.  Houghton and Virr went close. 
Half-time; Preston 1, Everton 0. 

WEST HAM UNITED 1 EVERTON 0
April 19 1926. The Daily Courier.
EVERTON LOST CHANCES.
LAXITY THAT GAVE HAMMERS A LIFT.
The bright spot about the game between West Ham and Everton was Campbell's excellent goal. It came ten minutes from the end when a division of points seemed a certainty. Yews, doing his best bit of work of the afternoon ran down the touch-line on the right, and swerving in, lifted the ball right into the goalmouth. It seemed impossible, however, that any of the home forwards would reach it in time, but Campbell dashed up in fine style, and headed a beautiful goal.
FADE-OUT.
Everton ought to have made sure of not losing the match in the first half when they had more chances, and when their shooting appeared more effective than their rivals. After the interval the Blues palpably fell away. It was rarely that the front line got going, and there is no question that the Hammers had the best of the game. It was something of a coincidence that both teams should be supplying the left-wings for the International sides at Manchester; Troup playing for Scotland and Ruffell for England. Everton filled the place with Weaver and the Hammers brought in Moore, who did well. Batten was tried as a partner to Chedgzoy, Kennedy taking his place at inside left. There was not a great deal between the sides in the first half. Both goals had narrow escapes, but the defence prevailed over the attack, and there was no score. Once or twice Dean was nearly through, and there was one occasion when Barrett was so bustled by Batten, that he nearly put through his own goal. Then there were two other occasions when Chedgzoy, with low, swift shots, almost had Hutton beaten. Still, it can scarely be said that Hufton had anything superlatively difficult to deal with; whereas Hardy brought off at least two first class saves, once before the interval and once after.
A GREAT SAVE.
In the first instance, Campbell found himself with the ball with no one but Hardy to beat. It was an awkward moment for the Blues' keeper, but he made up his mind what to do instantly, and ran straight at Campbell. The movements seemd to nonplus the Hammers' leader, for in the most tame fashion possible he lifted the ball clean into Hardy's hands. It should be stated here that Campbell looked to be well offside when he received the ball, but there was no whistle. The next occasion hardy distinguished himself was when Earle shot point-blank from only a few yards out. Hardy swung his foot out like lighting and brought off a capital clearance. In the last few minutes the Blues should have equalised. The ball came right across the goalmouth to Weaver who was unmarked. He took his shot first time, but it was yards out. Had he but steadied himself there was a good chance of his equalising. Just before West Ham got their goal there was a little excitement. They had thrust down the centre, and Earle, with a hard cross-shot appeared to have scored. The ball seemed to go past Hardy into the net and out again, but what really happened was that the ball struck the upright and rebounded into play. Referee Price, of Wrexham, who was well up and in a position to see, ruled that the ball had not been over the line, and ignored the Hammers' claim for a goal. This incident however, gave the crowd something to shout about for the next few minutes. Neither set of forwards made the most of their opportunities, but in the second half the home attack was superior to their visitors. Dean seldom received the ball in a good position after the interval, and Hufton was rarely troubled by anything really formidable.
THE FORWARDS.
Kennedy and batten were more impressive in the first half than the second. Chedgzoy did well on the right wing, and occasionally showed a turn of speed that was something of a revelation. Weaver got in some good runs and centres, but like the rest of the line was out of it rather after the interval. The defence was better, but the halves have had better games. Brown was the pick of them. Raitt and McDonald at back were a little shaky at times, but on the whole they put up a good defensive display; Raitt once saving a certain goal by kicking out. Hardy lived up to his reputation he is rapidly making himself. The goal that beat him would have beaten any keeper in the country. The Hammers put plenty of pep into the game Earle and Campbell were the pick of their forwards, and Collins the star man and half-back. In Barrett and Hebden at back they were well served and though Hufton rarely has anything difficult he was equal to what come his way. The two points came a extremely opportune moment for the East London team. Teams: - West Ham United: - Hufton goal, Hebden, and Barrett, backs, Carter, Eastham, and Collins, half-backs, Yew, Earle, Campbell, Watson, and Moore, forwards. Everton: - Hardy, goal, Raiit and McDonald, backs, Brown, Reid and Hart (captain), half-backs, Chedgzoy, Batten, Dean, Kennedy, and Weaver, forwards.

TROUP PLAYS FOR SCOTLAND.
April 19 1926. The Daily Courier.
At Old Trafford, Scotland beat England by one goal to nil Troup, the extreme wingmen, played admirably to their leaders and the forwards generally fitted into each's others style of play.

EVERTON RESERVES 1 PRESTON NORTH END RESERVES 2
April 19 1926. The Daily Courier.
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 39)
Everton sustained another home defeat, Preston winning by the odd goal in three. The result was not in accordance with the run of the play, but the Blues' forwards finished poorly against a fine defence which allowed little latitude. Preston opened the score early in the game, Woodhouse converting a fine centre by Young. O'Donnell worked hard to get the home forward line running smoothly, but received little support. Everton were constantly on the offensive in the second half, but from one of the few Preston breakaways Bradford scored a second goal. Near the end Peacock scored for Everton from a penalty. Little fault could be found with the home defence, Kerr being a great back. Peacock was the best of the halves. Gibson was a fine Preston back and Prout a splendid custodian, while Jefferis the former Everton forward revealed a good deal of his former cleverness.

WEST HAM CLEAR OF DANGER
Athletic News- Monday, April 19, 1926
CAMPBELL’S THRILLING GOAL SUFFICES
WEST HAM UNITED 1, EVERTON 0
By Double Gloucester
Everton, with nothing to lose and little to gain, played picturesque but rather purposeless football at West Ham, and went down before a team desperately anxious to secure points to carry them out of the bottom of the table zone.  Yet Hardy kept so good a goal that it was not until ten minutes from the end that Everton hoisted the flag of surrender.  On a glassless, greasy surface, nobody but Sam Chedgzoy seemed able to control the ball or keep for long in an upright position, and but for the last 15 minutes’ play it would have been a somewhat dull afternoon’s entertainment.  CAMPBELL’S goal, scored 10 minutes from the end, was one of those vivid affairs which makes one forget and forgive much.  Yews, who had piled up a long score of errors, suddenly swerved around McDonald, and from the goal line banged the ball hard across goal.  It was hit much too hard to be called a centre, and in getting his head to it young Campbell achieved an astonishing acrobatic feat.  He did more, however.  He sent it up under the cross-bar at ex-press speed before Hardy could move a muscle to save.
PROMISE OF CAMPBELL
Campbell is only just 20, and his future career will be watched with interest West Ham have not hurried him, and he promises to be the highest value when experience has mellowed his present tendency to be impetuous. He is like a crack sprinter on the mark; exceptionally good in the air, and a deadly shot on the run.  The play ran a fairly even course in the first half, Hardy stopping good shots from Watson and Earle, and Kennedy-who was at inside-left with Weaver as his partner—having no luck with a fine first-time effort from one of Chedgzoy’s many clever crosses.  Barrett is a good half-back, and with Kay absent ill, West Ham would have been well advised to have played him at centre-half instead of experimenting with Eastman, who was obviously out of his class. So weak were West Ham at centre-half that “Dixie” Dean ought to have had a field day, instead of which he did not contribute one real shot during the afternoon. 
HART’S DRAMATIC RETURN. 
Kennedy and Batten did a few clever things, but Chedgzoy was the one really progressive Everton forward. It was not a distinguished half-back line, but Hart was a worker, and once came into the picture rather dramatically. Whilst being attended to his trainer behind the goal he saw Yews bearing down on an undefended goal, and he dashed on to the field just in time to bring off a daring tackle—much to Yews' astonishment.  He then trotted back to receive more treatment from the trainer.  West Ham, in Ruffell'a absence, experimented with Moore and Watson as a left wing. The results were not encouraging. Stanley Earle was useful and unlucky not to have scored on two occasions. Carter was better than he has been, but is still a long way off his best. Hebden once again proved his value, and Hufton risked serious injury to save a point when Weaver threatened to make a draw it two minutes from the end.  There was far too much whistle in the game, and the refereeing was the subject of a deal of dissatisfaction, but Mr. Price was quite right to decline to allow a goal when a shot from Earle struck an upright and rolled back near the line.  West Ham United.—Hufton; Hebden, Barrett; Carter, Eastman, Collins; Yews, Earle, Campbell, Watson, and Moore.  Everton; Hardy; Raitt, McDonald; Brown, Reid, Hart; Chedgzoy, Batten, Dean, Kennedy, and Weaver.  Referee; A. H. Price. West Bromwich. 

EVERTON’S DEFEAT
Liverpool Echo-Monday, April 19, 1926
By Duval
Everton in spite of their defeat by West Ham, left Paddington Station on Saturday evening for Plymouth in the best of spirits.  They never touched their real form against the Hammers, and when West Ham scored a fine goal by Campbell late on, Everton were unable to get on terms, because the Hammers had improved so much that they kept Everton on the defensive.  It was well for Everton that Hardy was in such excellent form.  He played one of his finest games, and his manner of saving some of the Hammers’ best shots was little short of wonderful.  The Hammers had more chances than they took, but throughout they were the better balanced side.  The Everton attack did not blend effectively, and with few opportunities owing to the lack of constructive work on the part of the half backs, the forwards had a poor day.  The defence was sound, but an end-of-the-season atmosphere did no help the side to do itself justice. 

EVERTON v. ARGYLE.
Western Morning News-Tuesday 20 April 1926
FIRST LEAGUERS EXTENDED BY PLYMOTHIANS.
Everton paid Plymouth Argyle the compliment of bringing a full league team to Home Park last evening to play a game for P. Corcoran's benefit, and they had the satisfaction of defeating the Plymouth club by 4 goals 3. Corcoran, who joined Argyle in 1920, played regularly in the outside right position, but had to undergo an operation during the current season, and has not been fit enough in the first eleven.  Batten, recently transferred to Everton, played for the visitors, but Livingstone, who came from that club, was unable turn out for Argyle. Though naturally neither team were risking injuries, there was life and vigour in the game, and pretty football was played. Though the last remark applies more particularly to Everton. Leslie and Black, with Hardle behind them, gave as stylish a display as most of the Everton stars. The senior club, particularly the backs, and Troup, who played in the international match on Saturday, and Dean, gave a dexterorus exhibition of the ball control, though here again their skill was equalled by some the Argyle men.
HARDIE' in new role.
Hardie in particular came out in a new role. Argyle's spectators have been accustomed to regard him as a dour  and tireless worker, but last evening he displayed his whole box of intriguing and agile tricks, it was in shooting and finishing that Everton were slightly superior the first half, and Taylor had occasionally to make brilliant saves. The visitors' first half goals, both scored by Dean, were of the opportunist variety, though both were magnificent shots.  Argyle's goals, too, were good ones. Black scoring at high speed on both occasions. Pullen was one the most energetic players on the field, though Logan, too, tried hard, his endeavours undoubtedly giving the crowd six or seven thousand an interesting time. As an exhibition jugglery, Troup's performance outside left for the visitors was engaging, and it was from one of his clever centres that Kennedy scored a splendid goal, to put Everton ahead immediately after the interval. Dean added -to the lead from an off-side position, the referee, however, allowing the point. Argyle with the wind and sun with them were pressing for large part of the half, but it" wanted but three minutes time before Logan's efforts met with success. His goail, headed past Hardy, the international goalkeeper, brought forth the cheer the evening. A pretty and too serious exhibition of football both elevens ended Everton winning  4 goals to 3. Plymouth Argyle.—Taylor; Price, Miller; Connor, Pullen, 'Hardlie; Matthews, Wallace, Logan, Leslie, Black. Everton.—Hardv: Raitt, McDonald: Brown, Reid, Hart; Chedgzoy, Batten, Dean, Kennedy, Troup.

EVERTON V. ARGYLE
April 20, 1926 The Western Evening News
First Leaguers Extended By Plymothians
Everton paid Plymouth Argyle the compliment of bringing a full League team to Home Park last evening to play a game for P. Corcorma's benefit, and they had the satisfaction of defeating the Plymouth club by 4 goals to 3. Corcoran, who joined Arygle in 1920, played regularly in the outside right position, but had to undergo an operation during the current season and has not been fit enough to play in the first eleven. Barker, recently transferred to Everton played for the visitors, but Livingstone, who came from that club was unable to turn out for Argyle. Though naturally neither team were risking injuries, there was life and vigour in the game, and pretty football was played. Though the last remark applies more particularly to Everton, Leslie and Black, with Hardle behind them, gave as stylish a display as most of the Everton stars. The senior club, particularly the backs, and Troup, who played in the international match on Saturday, and Dean, gave a dexterous exhibition of ball control, though here again their skill was equaled by some of the Argyle men.
Hardle In A New Role
Hardle in particular came out in a new role. Argyle's spectators have been accustomed to regard him as a dour and tireless worker, but last evening he displayed his whole box of intriguing and agile tricks. It was in shooting and finishing that Everton were slightly superior during the first half, and Taylor had occasionally to make brilliant saves. The visitors first half goals, both scored by Dean, were of the opportunist variety, though both were magnificently shots. Argyle's goals too; were good ones, Black scoring at high speed on both occasions. Pullen was one of the most energetic players on the field, though Logan, too, tried hard, his endeavours undoubtedly giving the crowd of six or seven thousand an interesting time. As an exhibition of jugglery. Troup's performance at outside left for the visitors was engaging and it was from one of his clever centres that Kenendy scored a splendid goal, to put Everton ahead immediately after the interval. Dean added to the lead from an offside position, the referee, however, allowing the point. Argyle with the wind and rain with them were pressing for a large part of the second half but it wanted but three minutes to time before Logan's effort met with success. His goal headed past Hardy, the international goalkeeper, brought forth the cheer of the evening. A pretty and not too serious exhibition of football by both elevens end in Everton winning by 4 goals to 3. Plymouth; Taylor; Price, Miller; Connor, Pullen, Hardle; Matthews, Wallace, Logan, Leslie, Black. Everton; Hardy; Raitt, McDonald; Brown, Reid, Hart; Chedgzoy, Batten, Dean, Kennedy, Troup.

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 3 EVERTON 4
April 20, 1926. The Daily Courier.
EVERTON GO WEST
PLEASANT FOOTBALL AT PLYMOUTH.
BENFIT FOR CORCORAN.
Everton visit to Plymouth to provide a benefit match for Corcoran, the outside right, who had been with the club six years drew 5,000 spectators. Play was of an interesting character though Argyle had half their chief strength away. Everton had the advantage of a strong wind in the first half and the helped them with their shooting, but the home side nevertheless gave a smart display. Logan had a glorious opening the first minute from Black's centre, which he just missed turning to account, and Black sent good effort inches over. Everton were always dangerous near goal, and after Dean had a hot shot intercepted, Miller misjudged the ball and let the visitors through, Dean securing and giving Taylor, the reserve goalkeeper, no chance. This was six minutes from the start. Reid then had a long shot well saved after which Plymouth took up the running, Logan being twice nearly through; while Black shot finely, and Matthews headed wide. After 16 minutes play Balck got clean away and beat Hardy. Logan nearly increased the score a little later, Hardy saying, and then Taylor well from Brown. Dean was next in the picture, and beating the backs, he added a second goal, at close quarters. Kenendy tested Taylor, and Pullen gave Hardy a hot handful, after a clever individual effort. Twelve minutes from the interval Black equalised with another good effort, which struck the upright and bounced in the net, Taylor, saved hot shots from Brown and Kennedy. Four minutes after the resumption Kennedy placed Everton ahead from Troup's opening, and two minutes later Dean, receiving from Troup added another. Plymouth had several chances of scoring after this. Black hit the upright, and Logan the crossbar. Logan missed some good openings, but eventually scored with a header from Black, and a minute before the end headed just wide. Everton thus won a pleasantly fought game by four goals to three. Everton: - Hardy, goal, Raitt and McDonald, backs, Brown, Reid, and Hart (captain), half-backs, Chedgzoy Batten, Dean Kennedy, and Troup forwards.

JACK COCK
Dundee Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 21 April 1926
Whilst training Jack Cock, Plymouth Argyle's centre forward, received an injury from the swivel of a punch ball, necessitating the insertion of stitches. 

MISHAP TO COCK WHILST TRAINING
Western Morning News - Wednesday 21 April 1926
Jack Cock, Plymouth Argyle's centre forward, met with a slight accident whilst training yesterday.  He was exercising with the punch-ball when it came away from its top-board, the swivel striking Cock heavily on the head, and inflicting a scalp wound just above the right ear.  Blood flowed freely, and Dr. Gratton Guinness was called, but fortunately the wound was found to be superfical, and a stitch was inserted in order to facilitate healing.  it is improbable that bthe injury will keep Cock out of the team on Saturday, when Plymouth will play Charlton Athletic at Home Park. 

EVERTON TEAMS
Liverpool Echo- Wednesday, April 21 1926
Bee’s Notes
Everton wind-up their season with a visit from Newcastle United.  Teams;-
v. Newcastle;- Hardy; Raitt, McDonald; Brown, Reid, Hart; Chedgzoy, Irvine, Dean, Kennedy, and Troup.
Reserves at Leeds;- Kendall; Hamilton, Kerr; Peacock, Bain, Rooney; Millington, Houghton, Batten, O’Donnell, and Weaver. 

TROUP TO PLAY FOR ANGLO-SCOTT
April 22, 1926. The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury.
Troup of Everton has been invited to play for the Anglo-Scot against the Scottish at St Jame's Park on Wednesday next.

AT GOODISON PARK
Liverpool Echo- Thursday, April 22, 1926
Bee’s Notes
For the match at Goodison Park, on Saturday, Newcastle United team show two changes from the side that beat West Bromwich Albion, McDonald and Gallacher retu7rning to the exclusion of Cowan and Loughlin.  Team; Wilson; Chandler, Hudspeth; Harris, Spencer, Gibson; Urwin, Clarke, Gallacher, McDonald, and Seymour. 
EVERTON AND “BOSCA.”
Everton are not salone in their grand stand! “Bosca,” other Burscough F.C., of great age and much pleasure, have made a move, and a friend is here to tell you how it all came about;-
You will see by the best enclosed we at Burscough intend to erect a stand.  I just want to tell you how we came to get the opportunity –through the “Echo” and “Bee” I was at Everton on Good Friday watching my old team, Bury.  (By the way, I do appreciate the nice things you say at time about Bury, I sent Tommy Bradshaw the cutting from the “Echo” you put in after Everton played Bury at Bury on one occasion recently and Tommy roared.  I was born facing the old field, and scores and scores of happy hours have I spent on it in the balmy days of G. Ross, J. Plant, Tommy Wylie, Jimmy Henderson, A. Montgomery –Oh! Happy days and tender memories).  Well, I am at Bursco’ Bridge, and was secretary of their Rangers three seasons ago, and must now do my tit bit for the village.  I looked with longing eyes on part of the old Goodison Park Stand, and thought what a chance for “Boaca” (as the natives call it).  Well, I continue to watch “Bee” and the “Echo”; then I saw they had commenced to dismantle it.  That did it! I called on two local gentlemen and told them what a fine opportunity it was, and they told me to “get on with it.” You know what that means in a vicarage.  I had an interview with Mr. McKee last Thursday, and bargained for sufficient material at 5 pound per ton to erect a stand 560 feet long, 12 rows of seats, to accommodate 500, and four small rooms underneath.  The first load has come, and we have now four hard months before us.  I hope when we are through you will be able to come for an hour if not more on opening day.  Because, had it not been for the “Echo” and “Bee” Burscough rangers league champions L.C. Com., would not next season (yes, I dare say this), would never have had a stand. 
The man who dared to be a Daniel was myself.  But the gentleman I have to thank for my information was and is “Bee” in the “Echo.”

GALLACHER AT GOODISON
Liverpool Echo- Friday, April 23, 1926
Bee’s Notes
Gallacher will be a draw anywhere, but at Everton he will always be a special draw.  We do not forget his game there last season for the Scottish League, not do we forget his impressive display at Anfield this season, when he played like an angel- and had few to help him to his greatness.  Elisha Scott says that he played 50 per cent better against Liverpool at Newcastle, so we missed a treat.  I expect Everton to break a new crowd-record tomorrow when “the dancer” makes his appearance again.  The Everton people are keyed up to a great game, and as the conditions have altered to make the players more comfortable- heaven bless the little drops of water! –we should have a fast and engaging due!
Everton; Hardy; Raitt, McDonald; Brown, Reid, Hart; Chedgzoy, Irvine, Dean, Kennedy, Troup.  Newcastle United; Wilson; Chandler, Hudspeth; Harris, Spencer, Gibson; Urwin, Clarke, Gallacher, McDonald, Seymour. 

BOBBY PARKER
April 24, 1926. Aberdeen Journal
Bobby Parker, the Fraserburgh coach, who is leaving for Dublin, received a silver cigarette case and a hand-bag for Mrs Parker, as parting gifts, from the Fraserburgh junior football association and Mrs. Parker in turn presented the association with a football, on which are inscribed the signatures of eleven Scottish international players. The Peterhead team presented Mr. Parker with a outfit.

BOBBY PARKER
Aberdeen Journal - Saturday 24 April 1926
Bobby Parker, the Fraserburgh coach, who is leaving for Dublin, received a silver cigarette case, and a hand-bag for Mrs Parker, as parting gifts, from the Fraserburgh Junior Football Association, and Mrs Parker in turn, presented the assoication with a football, on which are inscribed the signatures of eleven Scottish international players.  The Peterhead team presented Mr. Parker with a smoker's outfit. 

NEWCASTLE VISIT.
April 24, 1926. The Daily Courier.
ANOTHER GOAL CRSIS FOR EVERTON.
With nothing particular at shake Everton and Newcastle United should provide a good match at goodison Park, as there is a distinct similarity of style in the two teams. A win for the Blues would give them a rise in life, and the pleasure of finishing up the season in the top half of the table. Gallacher a fresh from his international success turns out for Newcastle, and the teams will be: - Everton: - Hardy; Raitt, McDonald; Brown Reid, Hart; Chedgzoy, Irvine, Dean, Kennedy and Troup. Newcastle United: - Wilson; Clandler, Hudspeth; Harris, Spencer, Gibson; Urwin, Clarke, Gallacher, McDonald, and Seymour.

OLD TIMES AND TIMERS
Liverpool Football Echo- Saturday, April 24, 1926
MEMORIES OF FRORMER CUP FINALS
THE HAPPY TIMES OF YORE
By Victor Hall
Whoever goes to the Final tie at Wembley this year from Liverpool will find some old chords of memory stirring when one recalls the familiar travelers who made the annual pilgrimage and will journey there no more.  Those annual jaunts were very precious traditions to many and were looked forward to with the same zest with which the school boy looks to the annual feast of his Boxing Day Pantomine.  Really some of those old boys made no secret of their perennial youth, and as James Harcourt added to his lag at a recent “Playhouse” production “Aren’t we all?”  To begin with, as the grand reason for the exodus, the excuse or justification, by which one took annual leave of home and office for three days of cryptic journeying was “the Final.”  That is, or was, to see the great fight in which the lucky club of the year pulled through, and the other club got its “hard luck” or grueling, as the case might be.  But in one’s heart of heart’s there was no doubt that the real trip was for the purpose of renewing those annual friendship chats and experiences both of travel, pleasure, be it theatres or dinning, and the piquant sauce of the greatest tie of the year to garnish the dish.  Select little parties were arranged for weeks or months ahead.  Hotels were booked, railway saloons were reserved, the necessary feeding arrangements for the journey were comfortably and judicially arranged; even the theatres selected were discussed and seats reserved.  “Nap” parties were the inevitable features of the rail journey.  “Bridge” had not come into general vogue, its votaries were few in those days, and discussions on the subject of the new card games were voted highbrow.  Those circumstanced comfortably in business usually arranged their time table to leave Lime-street or Central station, Liverpool, by an early forenoon train on Friday, so as to arrive in London before business hours were over.  An odd business call or so was a formal tribute to the calls of trade that made the journey “really necessary in any case for business, old chap.”  Talbot O’Farrell had not come into fame in those days, so his witty satire on “what makes the business man tried” had not found any tender pricking of conscience.  But the journey down was one of great geniality, and the usual London rendezvous of the “Covent Garden Hotel” which Liverpool football men then patronized, usually found a very happy party gathered together when the later trains had brought in the full complement of pilgrims.  Someone then generally took charge, and am chairman was not a difficulty if a musical item or two were called for.  But the “speeches” that might were usually the best part of the fun.  Everton and Liverpool supporters were usually good “Mixers” and did not need much encouragement to air their views on team management or more happily their chaff took the form of director badgering.  If Everton or Liverpool had an interest in the final, of course the air was redolent of hopes or toasts for victory on the morrow, and some of the best and wittiest of football oratory has been “let off” on these old historical nights on the eve of battle.  Usually the shyest of directors could be coaxed to his feet before bed time arrived and I can remember the gentle and genial Dr. Baxter exchanging quips and repartee with the robust wit of Dr. Whitford at that time a popular member of the Everton directorate.  At those London gatherings, too, the young Liverpool of those days found adequate representation in John McKenna, “Ben” Bailey, Tom Howarth, and the late James Ramsey.  John Lorimer, whose personal popularity in both club circles was unequalled generally, had a party of his own in which his brother David and other members of the old Excelsior Bowling Club were strongly represented.  The Everton bunch always included Charlie Sullivan, Tom Bush, Jack Atkinson, and Ted Taylor, a group of loyal partisans now unfortunately missing on these happy anniversaries.  It may be that in the charmed circle of loyal followers, both Everton and Liverpool are renewing their youth to-day, as in those days, by forming and cementing personal friendships, growing out of the weekly association in attendance at their matches.  If this should happily be so, then the future of the clubs and of the game in Liverpool district will be assured by that strong bond of sympathy between directors, players, and public.  Certainly in the past neither club has lacked a strong following of good will and patronage among business and commercial men who have always formed a strong body of enthusiasts whenever a call has had to be made on their support.  Sympathy and understanding are great assets to both directors and players when the club is having any period of anxiety, by the cause what it may, and while ever club managements can count on such a backing they can cheerfully face the difficulties of the moment from whatever quarter it come.  I often think the warm bond of sympathy the Everton club have ever received from their public has been due to the wise policy of the directors in welding their influential followers together in the happy way those old time gatherings illustrate.  It brought the officials of the club in direct association with not only their friends, but their critics.  It gave an opportunity for a friendly chat and a frank exchange of views, in just that atmosphere of chaff and badinage in which the homely hint might be tactfully given and cheerfully appreciated with never an unkindly word or a harsh sentiment.  Chairman Cuff of to-day was then one of the most popular of the younger school of club managers, and he will have happy recollections of those post-prandial evenings and the harmonious feelings they generated amongst the participants.  Music, of a sort, generally brought the evening to a close, unless the clock told a later story, and then the morrow brought an enlargement of the pilgrimages as other clubs and later trains added their quota, and a hurried lunch, and a quest for cabs set all en route for the final episode at Sydenham.  This year will bring one notable absence that must be felt by all who make the final journey.  Not for other thirty years has the grand old personality of dear, dour John Lewis been missing from an English Cup final.  We shall miss that strong virile personality, that hates of shams, and that fearless champion of all that was fair and honest.  But we still miss most the lovable charm of a character that was essentially straight and manly. 

EVERTON AND LIVERPOOL TREASURY
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, April 24, 1926
Bees notes
The annual reunion of the Everton and Liverpool F.C, turnstile attendants, held at the Sandon Hotel, provided four crowded hours of success and enjoyment. A splendid gate assembled, and after kicking off with a high tea, which occupied a very full “45” (wherein the team work was splendidly) some heavy scoring was witnessed in the second half.  This period was given over to song and humour an exhibition game, so to speak.  Indeed, in the matter of artistes there was almost an embarrassment of riches.  Both professional and amateur talent gave readily of their services.  The Broadcasters Stanbery and Barry W. Matchett, Tom Smith, Messrs Williams, Jim Larkin, Apollo Quartette.  Liverpool Welsh Male Voice Choir, Matt Thomas, Ralph Smith, Harry Sharp, F. Tubb, W. Cameron, &c, all gave of their best.  Interspersing the various items came the usual toasts.  Mr. Summersgill proposing that of “Our Guests,” and Mr. Stud Marks “The Two Clubs,” with Mr. Foster bringing up the rear on behalf of “The Artistes,” Mr. H. E. Jones presided in his usual efficient manner.  Special thanks were accorded to Mr. Williams for the splendid musical programme he had brought together for the night. 

EVERTON V NEWCASTLE
The Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, April 24, 1926
LAST GAME OF THE SEASON AT GOODISON PARK
“STORK” REPORTS AN ATTRACTIVE MATCH
Everton; Hardy; Raitt, McDonald; Brown, Reid, Hart; Chedgzoy, Batten, Dean, Kennedy, Troup.  Newcastle United; Wilson; Chandler, Hudspeth; Harris, Spencer, Gibson; Urwin, Clarke, Gallacher, McDonald, Seymour.  With a bonny day and with Everton in a safe position we were able to make a pleasant afternoon of the game at Goodison Park.  In the first quarter of an hour came some fine football and three corners to Everton, and although they did not bring goals they brought thrills and cheers for Dean. 
A ROUND OF CORNERS
The ex-Rovers was the responsible centre for the quick run of corners.  His first effort at goalling was one of the best seen on the ground, for he took a centre by Troup before it touched the earth, and Wilson did well to position himself and pat the ball away.  The goalkeeper later made a great save when Dean back headed, and a stage further on made trouble for himself by punching the ball straight up in the air, and was fortunate not to suffer for his fault. 
A DEAN GLINDER
However, a fourth corner, and the fourth good one taken by Chedgzoy, was Wilson’s downfall for Dean glided the ball as it came from the flag well out of his reach at the fourteenth minute.  Newcastle had not done anything great up to this point, and to some extent Raitt was one of the causes why Hardy had only once been tested.  He intervened between Gallacher and his goalkeeper with such confidence that the Newcastle marksman never got a chance.  Even so Gallacher was not put out by the way things had shaped for him.  He knew his turn would come, and it did, very soon. 
SHADOWING GALLACHER
But for Hardy, Gallacher was a certain scorer, for the Everton man practically took the ball off Gallaher’s toe as he was closing in on the Everton goal.  Hardy, for the second time, stood in in Gallacher’s light, making another daring save when all seemed lost.  Dean was again on the mark with a header, and the Newcastle forwards anxious to rub off their arrears, displayed fine combination in their efforts to do so. 
THE DEAN OF THE FACULTY
It was Dean, Dean, Dean the whole afternoon, and it was evident that the Everton centre-forward desired to repeat the hat-trick performance he accomplished at St. James’s Park, and bit for the good work of Wilson he would not have been far short of repeating that dose.  His confrere, Gallacher, was not nearly so permanent as the “boy.” In fact, the Scottish international leader was so well held that he appeared to give up the ghost at one point for he had a clear opening, and only his fame effort saved Hardy.  Gallacher has been s deadly in the past that it was surprising to see such a weak effort from his foot.  The Everton halves and full-backs were in trenchant mood, and Newcastle forwards, although they played well in the outfields, were a beaten foe when they got to close quarters.
THE BOTHERSOME SUN
The sun was rather a bother to Newcastle and there was a probability that we would see them to greater advantage later in the day.  Half-time; Everton 1, Newcastle 0. 
DEAN’S HAT-TRICK
NEWCASTLE FALL AT GOODISON
Newcastle had an opportunity of levelling the score in the first minute of the second half, when Urwin lobbed a ball right on to Clark’s head.  The Newcastle inside right had only to let the ball bounce off his head, and it was a goal; but he was just a trifle underneath it, and the ball went under the bar. Everton found the sun just as trouble-some as had Newcastle. 
“HEART-BREAKING” EPISODE
Kennedy broke the hearts of the Everton supporters when he missed a sitter from a perfect pass by Dean.  Hardy had to catch an oblique shot from Seymour. 
NUMBER 2 FOR DEAN
At the 63rd minute, Reid, who had been putting some fine passes up the middle, offered Dean a chance.  The later burst through the backs, and at the same moment that Wilson advanced, Dean drove in a terrific ball which ricketted round the back netting. 
DEAN’S HAT TRICK
Dean, for the second time this season, scored a hat-trick against Newcastle.  His third goal was an even better than the two which preceded it.  Troup gave him the pass, but Dean had to veer slightly to his left to avoid Chandler before he shot into the net.  The game was a complete triumph for this youthful leader, who quite out shadowed Gallacher who was now rarely seen. 
HARDY SAW TWO!
Newcastle, awarded a penalty for hands, could not get a goal by its aid, for Hudspeth shot over the bar.  There was an amusing incident when two balls were in play at the same moment.  Hardy saw one go aide his goal and saved the other.  Final; Everton 3, Newcastle United 0. 

EVERTON 3 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0
April 26, 1926. The Daily Courier.
DEAN DOUBLE HAT-TRICK
ANOTHER DASHING DISPLAY AGAINST GEORDIES.
NEWCASTLE MISSED A PENALTY.
A feature of the closing game at Goodison Park was the triumph of Dean. By pulling off the hat-trick he duplicated his recent performance at St.James's Park. Dean, apart from his goals, gave an exhibition of his best form, and playing right up the field, found he was getting more elbow room than for a long time past. Considering that the centre was forging ahead, he received a commendable amount of support from his colleagues, made the most of his chances, and came through with flying colours.
POSITION.
He proved himself a centre of skill and strength ready to give and take a charge. His positional play was splendid, but he had to thank his colleagues for opportunities. Sam Chedgzoy, who played a stylish game, knows all the moves. It was from his flag-kick in the first half that Dean slipped the ball well out of the reach of Wilson. His second goal was from a fine down the centre pass by Reid, also playing one of his best games. The young centre nodded the ball on, then raced up regained it, and released an unerring first time shot. Dean's third goal, however, was the pick of the basket for after Troup had given him the ball, he had to swerve away from Chandler and then shoot. What of Gallacher? Admittedly the Scottish international is a great player, but he was not at his best, and this day, at any rate, Dean outshone him. Gallacher, likewise, adopted the role of raiding centre, lying well up, but his luck was out in his two best efforts first half, notably when Hardy took the ball off his toe. In his characteristic way Gallacher often defty pushed the ball along the ground, but the most was not made of several great openings. There was in fact in the second portion much about Newcastle's play that was inconsequential, though it could not be said there was an end of season lassitude as might have been expected with both sides free from anxiety.
WELL BEATEN.
Newcastle were fairly and squarely beaten, and only have themselves to Blame. Their defence did not hold the nippy and speedy home forwards. Huspeth-allowed Chedgzoy and Batten too many freedom, and at the close the United back had the misfortune to miss a penalty kick , for instead of lifting the ball underneath the bar, as he had intended, he saw it soar skyward from the bar. The home defence toiled to more purpose; and the half-backs- Brown particularly seconding Reid –enabled the Everton forwards to beat Newcastle at their own game. McDonald was thoroughly useful and gave the sprightly Clarke and Urwin wing no quarter. As Indicated Reid was responsible largely for Gallacher'' later subdued mood, while Newcastle's McDonald did not reproduce his real form by any means, Kennedy and Batten did useful things in a progressive forward line, and the ex-Plymouth man was not backward in passing if a colleague had a better opening. Troup was responsible for several telling centres with a sure left foot, but had to face keenor opposition in Harris and Chandler than the other wing. Teams: - Everton: - Hardy, goal, Raitt and McDonald, backs, Brown, Reid, and Hart (captain), half-backs, Chedgzoy, Batten, Dean Kennedy, and Troup, forwards. Newcastle United: - Wilson, goal, Chandler, and Hudspeth, backs, Harris, Spencer and Gibson half-backs, Urwin, Clark, Gallacher, McDonald, and Seymour, forwards. , Referee Mr. Scholey.

LEEDS UNITED RESERVES 1 EVERTON RESERVES 2
April 26 1926. The Daily Courier.
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 40)
Everton were full value for their victory at Leeds, but their best efforts were reserved until the second half, when their combination puzzled the home backs time and again. A little more steadiness in the finishing movements of the visitors would certainly have resulted in a bigger score accruing to their credit. Kendall was clean in his saves, Hamilton and Kerr safe defenders, while Rand was the best forward on the field. The last named had an intelligent understanding with Millinghton. Leeds were poorly served at half. White proving unreliable. Fell worked hard, but was not adequately supported. After 20 minutes Everton took the lead, Rand sending a cross shot which Johnson failed to hold. The major portion of the second half saw Everton attacking. O'Donnell and Rand only just failing to score. Houghton scored cleverly in the closing stages. Mears scored for the home side from Fell's centre. Everton: - Kendall, goal, Hamilton and Kerr, backs, Peacock, Bain, and Rooney, half-backs, Millington, Houghton, Rand, O'Donnell, and Weaver forwards.

DEAN’S HAT-TRICK
Athletic News-Monday, April 26, 1926
NEWCASTLE WELL BEATEN AT EVERTON
HUDSPETH’S MISTAKE
EVERTON 3, NEWCASTLE UNITED 0
By Junius
There was no suggestion of the players taking matters lightly in the closing League game at Goodison Park, and Everton were worthy victors in a contest full of incident.  They prevailed by three goals scored by Dean, who was the most accomplished forward on view, and he repeatedly troubled the Newcastle half-backs.  The early play did not suggest so pronounced a victory, for at first the Newcastle forwards were quicker on the ball and anticipated moves more readily.  More methodical, better able to locate their colleagues and more mobile, they advanced in easy stages, but their footcraft, though pretty, rarely looked like bringing goals. Everton’s attacks were more of the raiding order, and by their onslaught on the objectives they well deserved their goal lead at the interval.  The first success, after fifteen minutes play, was the result of Chedgzoy forcing  a corner from Hudspeth, who was apparently under the impression that the ball would cross the line. Following a return to the outside right the ball was centred for Dean deflects it out of the reach of Wilson.  For some time afterwards interest concentrated  upon the work the respective centre-forwards, for the ball frequently came their way, Gallacher was always in the thick of the fray, but at the last he was invariably thwarted by McDonaId or  Hardy, and the keeper on one occasion, racing out, luckily parried a fast rising ball out of danger.  After twenty minutes in the second half Dean scored one of the best goals seen on the ground this season. Reid drove forward between the backs; the centre-forward nodded ball down in his stride, obtained control, and sent in a fine shot. 
EVERTON’S GOOD DEFENCE. 
Eighteen minutes from the close Troup gave Dean the opportunity to score his third goal. Close on time Hudspeth failed with a penalty against McDonald for handling.  The key of the situation was undoubtedly held by the Everton half-backs, of whom Reid in particular was a great obstacle in the path of the United. He held a firm grip upon Gallacher, while, on the other hand, Spencer could not hold Dean. Brown effectively countered the designs of Seymour and McDonald, and Hart completed a strong half-back line.  Gallacher was not provided with the opportunities he might have been, and the inside forwards were often at fault.  Everton’s defence was better than that of the United. Both Raitt and McDonald had a smoother working arrangement with their half-backs than was apparent, in the case of United, and as a result Chedgzoy and Troup made greater progress than Urwin and Seymour, though there were occasions when Hart allowed the outside right much latitude.  Hudspeth had a poor day, and Chandler was the more reliable. Hardy had little to do, but accomplished that little exceedingly well, while Wilson with calls also gave a good display.  Everton —Hardy; Raitt,McDonald: Brown, Reid, Hart; Chedgzoy, Batten, Dean, Kennedy, and Troup.  Newcastle United;- Wilson; Chandler, Hudspeth; Harris, Spence, Gibson; Urwin, Clark, Gallacher, McDonald, and Seymour.  Referee; A. Scholey, Sheffield. 

MR. CALLACHER AND MR. DEAN
Liverpool Echo-Monday, April 26, 1926
By Stork
“Give it to Dixie” was the cry in the early days of the season, and when it was answered it meant a whole lot to Everton.  It was revived on Saturday against Newcastle, and hence the result, Everton 3, Newcastle 0. Dean seems to be inspired against the United.  Whether it is that he realizes that comparisons will be made between him and the famous Hughie Gallacher I do not profess to know, but he sets about his business to prove that he is the famous Scotsman’s equal as an opportunist.  He was more than Gallacher’s equal on Saturday; he was greatly his superior.  Whereas Hughie had three chances in the opening half and failed to accept them, Dean had three and made no error with them.  He had many others besides and but for Wilson would have had an even larger goal crop.  He was almost invincible, and this despite the fact that he got no support from either Kennedy or Batten, who were much below their normal form.  Kennedy missed the chance of a lifetime after Dean had placed him to perfection- it was a tragic miss.  While most of the honour of the victory goes to Dean, Troup and Chedgzoy, of the forwards, must enter the highly commended list.  Chedgzoy gave Dean his first goal and Troup have him his last- perhaps the best of the trio- for Dean was running away from goal when he shot.  I cannot conclude without a passing a remark concerning the valuable part the half-backs played in this complete triumph.  Reid was great at centre-half-Gallacher’s non-success was ample proof of his work- but Brown was the defender de luze, even though Raitt was right at the top of his form.  The Everton defence was too much for Newcastle, and when Hardy advanced and took a ball from off Gallacher’s toe it seemed to take the “fire” out of Scotland’s centre-forward.  Gallacher showed many pretty touches, but, like Dean, he had no support from his inside colleagues, I once saw Hudspeth take a penalty which put Liverpool out of the Cup.  He could not repeat it at Goodison, for he shot over the bar.  I doubt if McDonald handling case demanded a spot kick, for at the moment the ball connected with his hand he had his back to it, which does not suggest intent. 

EVERTON'S NEW STAND
April 27 1926. The Daily Courier.
The foundations of the new stands on the Bullens-road side of the Everton football ground at Goodison Park, are now being put in. It is expected it will be ready by the end of August, and will accommodate 5,000 seated, with shelter for 11000 beneath.

COMBINATION V EVERTON
Liverpool Echo-Tuesday, April 27, 1926
Bee’s Notes
At Goodison Park, tomorrow, 6-30, the pick of the County Combination sides will oppose Everton’s Central league team.  County Combination team; A. Kemp; (Burscough Rangers); A. Houston (Harlandic), H. Green (Burscough Rangers); N. Jones (captain, Port Sunlight), J.R. Jones (Marine), G. Sutton (Poulton Rovers); T.E. Loxham (Port Sunlight), T. Harris (Skelmersdale U), J.H. Clayton (Marine).  Reserves; R. Parker (Harlandic) and T.A. Nelson (Prescot).  Referee G. Tasker, linesman, A. Ridgway. 

EVERTON TEAM
Liverpool Echo-Wednesday, April 28, 1926
Bee’s Notes
Everton wind up the season at Burden Park, Bolton, against the cup-winners and the team is; Hardy; Raitt, McDonald; Brown, Reid, Hart; Chedgzoy, Batten, Dean, Kennedy, Troup. 

EVERTON RESERVES 1 COUNTY COMBINATION 2
April 29 1926. The Daily Post and Mercury
At Goodison Park. The selected eleven from Liverpool County Combination gave a great display against the full Central League. Weaver
scored first for Everton and in the second half Morrison (from a penalty kick) and Harrison scored for the Combination.