ANFIELDER KILLED
August 4, 1917. The Liverpool Football Echo
Bee’s Notes
Watson, Liverpool’s Inside Forward
I learn this morning that Billie Watson of the Liverpool Football Club has been killed in action. He was a bright boy and a most promising footballer, and his death robs Liverpool of a link that had been strengthened by war-time football.

PALMER
Star Green 'un - Saturday 04 August 1917
Palmer, the Everton player will not be able to assist Barnsley next season.  He is the latest of Barnsley’s war-time list to join the colours. 

“THE ENGLISH CUP WON ON BEER.”
August 11, 1917. The Liverpool Football Echo
Drink & Football
“An Absolute Lie,” Says Mr. Cuff
Everton Football Club have began unconsciously concerned in a series of unfounded and silly allegations that intoxicating liquor formed part of their diet when training for the English Cup Final-tie some years ago. The matter ultimately came before the Everton directors, whose retort amines the slander beyond any doubt. The matter arose in a controversy a gendered, no doubt by the recent liquor restrictions. We quote from the “Alliance News and Temperance Reformers” a correspondence of interest to all sportsmen, social reformers and the public generally.
On June 27 several thousand persons assembled in the Darlington Market Place, when a debate took place between Mr. Pitman, of the British Workers League and Mr. J.W. Berriman of the United Kingdom Alliance, on the question “Does alcoholic liquor help physical efficacy, and can we do without the drink revenue.” The crowd greatly enjoyed the points made by the respective speakers, and Alderman Charles Leach, J.P, who presided, had a pleasant task in controlling the gathering. In the course of the debate Mr. Pitman asserted that the Everton Football Club had won the English Cup on beer. He had seem them take barrels of beer in the train when going down to the Crystal Palace. He also asserted that had it not been for Irish whisky Captain Scott and his party would not have reached the South Pole.
On July 12 Mr. Berriman again visited Darlington and an audience of 4,000 people gathered to hear an address on “Fact versus Imagination. The speaker dealt at length with the misstatement made by Pitman and read letters he had received from the secretary of Everton Football Club and Lady Scott, Mr. Pitman was allowed an opportunity to reply, but with the documentary evidence against him, his defence was weak and evasive. Many of the audiences previously against the temperance position were unbiased enough to admit that in this instance the Alliance representatives had established the facts. The following are copies of letters referred to by Mr. Berriman.
The Everton Reply
Everton Football Club Co, Ltd, Goodison Park, Liverpool, July 19th, 1917.
Dear Sir –I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday enclosing cutting from a newspaper purpose to be a report of a debate between yourself and a Mr. Pitman of the British Worker’s League at Darlington on the 27th. Therein Mr. Pitman is stated to have alleged that my club won the cup on beer. The obvious inference having regard to the contest is that the players included beer in their training dietary. You have my assurances that Mr. Pitman’s alleged statement is absolutely false, and is in fact, a vile slander on the officials and players of my club. We deprecate the use of alcohol in training and only on the rarest occasions is alcohol in spirits used –never in beer. His statement that he had seen them (Everton) take barrels of beer in the train is an absolute lie, so far as the officials and players of our club are concerned. Of course exuberant supporters may have done so, and probably did consume beer on the journey, but even in such a case the statement is a most extravagant one and grossly exaggerated (A barrel of any kind would not pass through a railway carriage entrance). The majority of the directors of my club are total abstainers from the use of alcohol and, whilst not in the least bigoted, endeavour to their utmost to encourage temperance amongst our layers. The majority of these letters are also abstains. You are welcome to be unsolicited opinion of the writer, however, beneficial to the working man, the use of alcohol by the athletic is inimical to the success –Your’s Faithfully W.C. Cuff.
The Late Capt Scott and Spirits
Ministry Of Pensions, Secretary’s Office, Millbank, E.W July 9th 1917
Dear Sir –I answer to your inquiry of July 4th I have no hesitation in saying that the statement “Is was Irish Whisky that enabled Captain Scott and his party to reach the South Pole” is entirely erroneous. My husband regarded the use of spirits in the Antarctic as very dangerous on account of the reaction and deadly cold that sets in after the stimulant subsides. I think I am right in saying that whisky was absolutely prohibited on sledge journeys in the Antarctic. It is entirely untrue and most mischievous to say that I quoted my Husband as praising the sustaining merits of whisky. On the contrary he very often told me he regarded it as a most dangerous and undesirable thing for sledging. Captain Scott was not a teetotaler, but very nearly so, and I have known him go weeks on end without drinking wine, whisky or beer. Your are at liberty to make what use you like of these statements –Your Faithfully K. Scott.

BOBBIE PARKER RECOVERS FROM HIS WOUNDS
August 13, 1917. The Liverpool Echo
Good news is to hand concerning Bobbie Parker, the Everton centre forward, who was severely wounded about three months ago, and about whose recovery to former fitness there remained a doubt. Parker hopes to get out of bed this week for the first time in fourteen weeks; he injury will not prevent him from playing football again.

NEWS FROM BOBBIE PARKER
August 14, 1917. The Liverpool Echo
Bee’s Notes
A most interesting letter has come to hand from the Everton centre-forward who has been in hospital over three months, He says;-
Many letters have received did much to buck up my spirits. If people at home could only realize how eager the mail is looked forward to by all the boys they would never tire of writing. I always get a good share, but some of the lads don’t get many and the look of disappointment on their faces or envy at you is hard to believe. At home we don’t understand what war is. When I left Blighty for the front I had impressions in my mind and plans of what it was like, and what I would do, but, alas, the real thing was so different from the dreams. The cheeriness of the boys under all kinds of hardships is wonderful when I was up the desert with my battalion, after a hard day, all turned their thoughts to pleasure. Football is always first favourite. I have read in the papers that we will have to work and play football after the war. It will be a great change if this does happen. Some writes say that it will make no difference in the play, yet, Queen’s Park, prior to the war, pleaded that the players had no time to train and were not fit to last the game so well as the man who was paid. My opinion of football after the war is that it will be a greater game than ever and gates will be even larger. If that is so, the public will demand the best to be served up. I am all right but still in bed after fourteen weeks. I shall be glad to get on my feet again, which I expect to do this week. I shall be able to play football again, so that is something to be thankful for.

EVERTON
Leicester Daily Post - Saturday 18 August 1917
Everton will be able to utilize the services of the following players daring the forthcoming Season Mitchell: Thompson: Fleetwood, Wareing, Grenyer: Murray, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell, and Donnachie. They have had several applications from local players for a trial, and a series of private practice games have been arranged. A public pratice will be held at Goodison Park on Saturday. August 25th. As was the case last winter, Everton will meet Liverpool six times during the coming campaign, twice in the principal and subsidiary competitions, and twice in friendly games during the Christmas holidays.

NOTES AND NOTIONS
August 18, 1917. The Liverpool Football Echo
By “Vin”
Everton have a private practice match on Monday. The public trial is fixed for next Saturday. Several familiar faces will be missing. With Leo Dryden we may ask in song ; “Where are the friends of the past?”

J.H. GALT
Daily Record - Monday 20 August 1917
Lieutenant J.H. Galt was in Glasgow the other day, looking fit and well.  The Rangers-Everton half-back has been in France for some time. 

SPLENDID PROSPECTS AT GOODISON PARK
August 22, 1917. The Liverpool Echo
The doings at Goodison have been somewhat shrouded in mystery not intentionally be it said, but rather from a determination to be absolutely sure of their prospects before indicating their course, of action. Last night all the players were assembled for a full dress rehearsal before the directors and quite an enjoyable game was witnessed, the newcomers especially showing fine form. As a result Mr. Clayton and his co-directors found the task of selection a happy one, and they have decided as below for Saturday’s practice game, which starts at 3-30 p.m:- Blues; Mitchell; A. Bigman, Thompson; Fleetwood, Wareing, Grenyer; Gray, Lovelady, Day, Swift, Gouldson. Stripes; Pritchard; Robinson, Higbook; Northay, Cordall, Williams; Murray, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell, Donnachie.
It will be seen that the right back position vacated by Joe Smith has been filled. The West Brom young man is not at Queensferry now, but has been transferred to Mansfield. Mr. Cuff, is hoping to secure someone worthy of his predecessor ere the real games came about. Everton like the Reds have prospected around St. Helens for the talent, Pritchard and Swift claiming this town as their home; while Robinson and Cordall won their spurs with Cammell-Laird’s. Williams is a soldier and the remainder are locals who have been found after diligent search on the local playing fields. Everything points to a splendid side at Goodison, with the local Derby days invested with more than the usual ginger as a result of local talent. Mr. J. Stewart will referee the trial.

WHAT THE LEAGUE CLUBS ARE DOING
Liverpool Echo –Thursday 23 August 1917
As the days get shorter and September the nearer, football news gossip begins to swell out. Everton's trial teams, published in this column yesterday, have revived local interest considerably, and the Blues will undoubtedly have a full house on Saturday. There are two corrections to make in those teams. The name Swift was given as inside left for the Blues ; this was telephonic error for In place "A. B. Igman" —the unwary failed to see obvious deviation from the stereotyped—we are told that the right back position will be filled by Bull, the Tranmere Rovers player, but otherwise the teams will be as published.

TRIAL MATCH AT GOODISON
August 24, 1917. The Evening Express
By CRI
There is every prospect of a capital match at Goodison Park tomorrow, when the Everton directors will gather together to watch the majoirity of the old hands have a run, and also give a trial to some promising local men. The defence is to be opposed by the attack and the large crowd of enthusiasts that is certain to be present should witnessed some pretty football. The charges for admission are 6d, 3d, and 1d, no tax, and the proceeds go to charity. I published a list of probable’s the other day, but Mr. Cuff advises me that several alterations have been made, so here is the revised list of starters;- Blue; Mitchell; Thompson, Robinson; Fleetwood, Wareing, Grenyer; Gray, Lovelady, Day, Twiss, Gouldson. Stripes; Pritchard; Higbook, McDonald; Williams, Cordall, Northey; Donnachie, Clennell, Gault, Jefferis, Murray. Referee; Mr. J. Stuart. In the above list are a number of men new to Everton patrons, but they have all shown distinct promise in junior football. Robinson, Gray, and Cordall play for Cammell Lairds, and Lovelady and Day for Boothroyd’s. Gouldson of the Comets, and Williams who is in the Welsh Fusiliers took part in first class matches several times last year. Twiss, Pritchard, Northey, and Murray come from the St. Helens district.

RETURN STANLEY SMITH.
Hull Daily Mail - Friday 24 August 1917
(BY "MAC.")
To-morrow afternoon the first full dress rehearsal will be given by the local members of the Hull City Club.  Over thirty likely players have turned out during: the week for training, amongst them being our old player, Stanley Smith, who has been fighting in France, but is now appointed to a training centre.  He looks better than when a member of the Tigers half-a-dozen season's ago, but is no longer fit for fighting line.  He had an adventurous career after leaving the Tigers to go to Everton in company with Andy Browell, and played for Bury and Belfast Distillery before joining the Army. Last year he appeared once or twice at outside right for Grimsby Town. 

J.H. Galt
Daily Record - Friday 24 August 1917
Lieutenant J. H. Galt returns overseas to duty to-morrow. The Rangers-Everton half back was at Firhill last Saturday.

EVERTON.
Star Green 'un - Saturday 25 August 1917
Fern and Joe Smith alone Missing,
Both clubs on Merseyside find themselves in happy circumstances in respect of players. Everton have preserved their team-building , secret until the last moment, and the probability is that, barring Tom Fern, the ex-Lincoln goalkeeper, now in the R G.A., and Joe Smith, formerly of West Bromwich, who has been moved to Mansfield on munitions, the Goodison Park side will field the same team their later games last season. In place of Fern, the citadel will be guarded by Mitchell, who has previously done first-team duty—and well—but the deputy for Smith has not been disclosed. Mr. Cuff and his directors have been very busy recently scouting around local playing fields for promising talent, most of whom took part in a private practice Wednesday night, and all showed form of promise. From Cammell, Laird's team at Birkenhead they have secured Robinson, a finely-built full-back, and a dapper little pivot, Cordall by name, both of whom gave indication of being worthy League players, the former's judgment placing the ball having a distinct trace of class. Twiss an inside-left from St. Helens Recreation, possessing a good turn of speed, plus the desirable attribute of sharp-shooting at goal. Other new men likely form the second string are: Pritchard (St. Helens), goal ; Highcock and Bull, the latter from Tranmere Rovers, backs; Norther and Williams, halves; Gray, Lovelady (played last season), Day, and Goulson (all locals). Of last season's team, Thompson, Fleetwood, Wareing, Grenyer, Murray, Jefferis, Gault. Joe Clennel, and Donnachie are available, and possibly John Macconachie will get occasional leave from the R.F.C. to assist his club. Tom Fleetwood has been appointed captain.
Note
The burly Dunn, who hails from Luton, and has played for Everton will again travel from his boiler-making work on the Mersey, to play for Blackpool. 

AT GOODISON PARK
August 25, 1917. The Liverpool Football Echo
Having witnessed the preliminary canter of the Reds last Saturday, football enthusiasts wended their way across the park this afternoon with the idea of sizing up for themselves the relative merits of our local teams. Everton’s selection announced during the week set the ball of interest rolling at full speed, particularly when their supporters realized that most of last season’s players contrary to rumours were available thus ensuring that the Goodison high standard will be maintained. When we come to look at the formation of the two clubs it is not surprising to hear the rival camps advancing their ideas of what is going to happen in the local “Derbies.” Certain of one thing, these games will be invested with all the old-time enthusiasm and rivalry, not only amongst the spectators but with the players. That alone is good augury. One or two changes are notified from the trial teams first selected, and the revised list now reads:- Blues; Micthell, goal; R. Stewart and Thompson, backs; Fleetwood, Wareing and Grenyer, half-backs; Gray, Lovelady, Day, Twiss, and C. Redford, forwards. Stripes; Pritchard, goal; McDonald, and Highcock, backs; Northey, Cordall, and Williams, half-backs; Murray, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell and Donanchie, forwards. Referee; Mr. J. Stewart.

GOODISON TRIAL REVEALS PROMISING PLAYERS
August 27, 1917. The Liverpool Echo
Everton’s trial was really two abbreviated matches, a judicious re-shuffling at the intervals that gave the directors opportunity of judgment in separate compartments while the method must inevitably have proved beneficial to all twenty-two players.
“Duval’s” Comments
In the first half the League forwards were playing in stripes jerseys, and opposed by the probable League team defence, but after half-time the former changed jerseys and sides so that the whole senior eleven could precise combination. It was a wise move, in view of next Saturday’s fixture, for while the opening half set calibre against calibre, showing both defences equal to attacks –there was no scoring –we were able to judge more accurately the merits of the prospective League team after ends had been changed. The disparity of strength and superiority was then most pronounced but it was rather a mistake to slack off efforts when a lead had been established. It induces bad habits Needless to add, Everton will not disappoint their supporters. The second half team will most like oppose Southport, and one has every confidence in them.
Some Promising Colts
The most satisfactory result of Saturday’s trial was the form displayed by the reserve forwards. Although meeting well the opponents in the second half, they proved themselves capable understudies and at these showed some excellent points. They combined well under difficult conditions, but in individual touches one discerned more of their abilities. Take Lovelady, for instance. His work which opened the scoring was a masterly effort. He would have beaten any goalkeeper, his first-timer that flew into the net high up. Twiss also was crafty and made his opening in forcing style, and Redford is a capital opportunist who knows the direction of the goal. In the half-back line Soldier Williams was a strong link that Murray and Jefferis found troublesome and Cordall also pleased with his robust style. Pritchard, the custodian made some really clever saves, but he is on the small side, and might not be so reliable in more serious games.

EVERTON TEAM FOR OPENING GAME.
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 29 August 1917
The Everton team was chosen this afternoon as follows: Mitchell; Robinson, Thompson; Fleetwood, Wareing, Grenyer; Murray, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell, and Donnachie. They play at home on Saturday, v. Southport Central.

SUGGESTION TO EVERTON F.C.
August 29, 1917. The Liverpool Echo
A correspondent signing himself “Supporter” sends me the appended letter, which I commend to the directors:-
Dear Bee’s –With reference to the sad drowning case at Bootle, where a married man lost his life in trying to save another. He leaves a widow and five children. As he resided in Kirkdale it is certain that he was a supporter of Everton F.C so I suggest to the Blues that they might not only authorizes a collection to be taken on the ground next Saturday but take in themselves it would be “tier bit.”

BLUES IN FRANCE
August 30, 1917. The Liverpool Echo
Evertonians Surprise
Bee’s Notes
It will be news to many readers (writes “Vin”) to learn that Sam Chedgzoy and Geo Harrison, popular alike to Evertonians and Scots Guards, are now in France, and instead of assisting West Ham on Saturday they will be playing an active game on the side of the Allies. Their colleague Guardsman, Billie Kirsopp, who achieved triumphs and silverware on the running rack recently remained at Wellington Barracks, London. Mr. Secretary of the Hammers” will probably have first claim on his recreative Saturday afternoons whenever they occur. J.H Wright, Southport Central footballer was today granted exemption until November 1 by the Southport Tribunal. He was one of the team selected to oppose Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Out Of Luck
For some time there has been no luck for Fern, the Everton goalkeeper. Since he donned khaki his “lack of luck” has clung to him. He had no sooner been transferred to Catterick than he had to go to hospital for eight weeks with leg trouble. He has now been in hospital some day’s through a severe kick from a horse.

ABRAMS, FAY AND CO
August 31, 1917. The Liverpool Echo
Bee’s Notes
The firm’s well known, and Everton will know they have been playing if Southport are in the mood. They are fashioned on right lines, and will have plenty of vocal support from the followers of the Shrimpers club, who love to see Everton beaten. Of course. But Everton’s team reads very strong –having for the first time in my life missed trial games I cannot say what form they have touched – and a hard game should go their way. If times were normal what changes would you make in the Everton side? Ah that’s the test. Well, Everton ought to win with the talent at their disposal, and I go to Goodison Park tomorrow believing that we shall have a happy reunion, a capital game, and good sports throughout. The home team is always worth your attention and Southport as a curtain raiser is certainly a plum. The results of their meeting at Walton (Everton first named) have been; 4-2, 1-0, 1-1, 0-1, 2-0, 2-1.
Plan of the Field
Everton; Mitchell; Robinson, Thompson; Fleetwood, Wareing, Grenyer; Murray, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell, Donnachie. Southport Central; Capper; Dorward, Pte Hesley; J. Wright, Claridge, Sgt Abrams; Rogers, Cauldfield, Fay, Lt Toms, Schofield.