Everton Independent Research Data

 

J. PATERSON
Falkirk Herald - Wednesday 03 August 1927
J. Paterson, who was granted a free transfer from Everton, turned out for Arthurlie in their trial game.  The old Camelon player has been offered terms by Alloa and King’s Park. 

ABERDEEN SIGN A BACK Ex-CELTIC PLAYER SECURED BY PITTODRIE CLUB.
Dundee Courier - Saturday 06 August 1927
Douglas Livingstone, a left back who has been with Celtic and Everton, and was, last year, transferred from the latter to Plymouth Argyle for a big fee, has been secured by Aberdeen. Livingstone, who as a junior played for Ashfield (Glasgow), is 27 years of age, 5 ft. 9 in. in height, and weighs 12 stone. It is expected he will strengthen a department of the defence in which the Aberdeen Club was not too well served last season.

STUB MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 06 August 1927
By Louis T. Kelly

CAUGHT IN MOVER
Leicester Chronicle - Saturday 06 August 1927
ASFORDBY GROUNDSMAN MEETS WITH STRANGE ACCIDENT
Whilst engaged in working an electric lawn mower on the Holwell Sports Ground at Asfordby Hill, a groundsman named Robert Clapham, fell with his right hand among the knives of the machine and sustained severe injuries to the wrist and fingers.  He was conveyed to the Melton War Memorial Hospital.  Clapham, who acts as groundsman and trainer to the Holwell Works Sports Club, was at one time a well-known footballer and he played for a considerable time for Everton as outside-left. 

EX-EVERTONIANS
August 8 1927, The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
D livingsone, the former Everton full-back who had played for a season with Plymouth Argyle, has been signed by Aberdeen, he was transferred to Everton from Celtic and during his stay at Goodison Park he earned praise for his cool and clever play. Though he was rather in the slow side, Also C.E. Glover who has played for New Brighton, Everton (Reserves), and Southport, has signed for Wigan Borough.

BEST NOTES
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 09 August 1927
Everton F.C. shareholders are asked to make early application for the season tickets which are on sale at the ground.  The club's first practice game takes place next Saturday, at 3.15, and the second on Wednesday evening, at 6.45. Many League clubs are proud of the actual playing turf on their pitches, and Everton bids fair to joining the select band of clubs whose playing pitches are out of the ordinary. Mr. Mclntosh told me that the re-turfing at Goodison Park had cost 1,000 pounds, and when one inspectedthe ground it was easily seen how the money was spent. Practically the whole playing area has been covered with a fine "importation" of Kirkby Lonsdale grass. It has knitted well, and by Saturday should be in tip-top condition. The inside will benefit by this change, because the "wings." which remain unchanged from last season, are of different texture to the centre portion of the ground. The old is hard—very hard—and the new—well, just like Cheshire's fine springy golf turf.
EVERTON PLAYERS AT CRICKET 
The two-evening match between the Clubmoor Club end a picked side of Everton footballers, due to begin at Maiden-lane  last evening, was postponed on account of the rain. Weather permitting a start will be made at 6 o'clock this evening, and will continue on Wednesday. The Clubmoor  team will be:—Dr. Rumjahn, F. Camidge, J. Harling, G. Hedger, J.B. Duff, M. Sommerville, F. Ross, A. Roberts, G. Tomkinson, W. McDowell, J. Gatecliffe, H. Herbert, while Everton will represented by Taylor, Houghton, Rooney, Raitt, O’Donnell, Dickie, Dominy, Bain, Virr, Critchley, Kelly, and Dean. 

ANDY MOFFATT
Dundee Courier - Wednesday 10 August 1927
Moffat, who can play in both inside forward positions and at centre, has had playing experience with East Fife and Everton, but met with a knee injury and gave up the game. He resides at Glencraig. Twenty-six years of age, he is 5 feet 8 inches in height, and weighs 11 stone.

VIRR TAKES SIX WICKETS.
August 10 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
EVERTON FOOTBALLERS OPPOSE CLUBMOOR.
Intense interest was created at Maiden-lane last evening, when a start was made of the thirteen-a-side two evenings match between the Clubmoor Club, and Everton footballers, Dean being a notable absentee from the Everton team. Virr and Houghton regular players of the Clubmoor Club played on the opposite side. Clubmoor batted first, to the bowling of Virr and Dominy, the former gaining a wicket with the fourth ball without a run being scored. A respectable stand between the fall of the sixth and seventh wicket took the score from 46 to 88, the inning closing for 117. The smart fielding of the footballers was a feature, while Virr took six wickets for 53 and Raitt, as wicket keeper, kept the extra down to a single. Everton had ten minutes battling before rain stopped play, scoring 5 runs for two wickets. Scores: - Clubmoor, J. Harrling b Virr 10, G. Tomkinson c Davies b Virr 0, M. Sommerville run out 20, AM Roberts c Dominy b Virr 10, F. Ross c Dominy b Virr 0, TC Williams lbw b Houghton 27, G. Hedger b Dominy, o, JB Duff b Virr 20, McDowell c Raitt b Houghton 0, F. Crebbin run out 23, TJ Bond c Davies b Virr 1, L. Nuttall c Davies b White 4, J. Gatcliffe not out 1, Extra 1, Total 117

EVERTON BAT TONIGHT
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 10 August 1927
Bee’s Notes
The appearance of Everton footballers in the role of “cricketers” attracted a large crowd to Maiden-lane last evening, when play started in the two evening match- 13 a side –between Clubmoor C.C. and a picked Everton side.  Clubmoor had first knock and made a useful 117, T.C. Williams being top scorer with 27, closely followed by F. Crebbin with 23.  Matt Sommerville and J.B. Duff each contributing 20.  The bowling honours went to Virr (a useful player with both bat and ball, and a regular member of the Clubmoor team), who captured six wickets for 53.  Houghton, also a handy man, but not quite so successful on this occasion in the bowling line as his footballing companion, claimed two wickets for 31.  The fielding of the Everton side was very good, Davies being prominent; the way he caught out three players was commendable.  David Raitt, as wicket-keeper, passed with honours, only a single being recorded in the “extras column.”  A couple of changes were made in the selected Everton team, “Dixie” being marked absent and Troup taking his place.  Dean will be on duty to-night when play commences at six o’clock.  Following the innings of Clubmoor a social and sing-song was held in the pavilion, and Mr. Deputy-Chairman Pattinson, in welcoming their visitors, paid a high tribute to the good sportsmanship of the Everton players in providing the opposition in the annual match (at which a collection is being taken for the benefit of the Club-moor groundsman) and asked Ted Taylor, who, by the way, was in pre-war days a prominent player of the Clubmoor club and himself a “centurion,” to reply on behalf of his colleagues.  This he did, and was enthusiastically received.  He mentioned that nobody was more pleased than himself when told he had been selected to play against his old club and to renew acquaintanceship with his friends of by-gone days.  A musical entertainment wound up an enjoyable evening.

EVERTON FOOTBALLERS WIN.
August 11 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
CLUBMOOR BEATEN AT CRICKET.
Everton footballers gained a victory at Cricket last evening, when they defeated Clubmoor by four wickets. The footballers set about their task of obtaining the necessary runs in determined fashion. Six wickets were down for 44, but a stand by Houghton and Hardy took the score to 85, Houghton obtaining 32. Kendrick and Hardy then added 36 before the latter was bowled. Everton thus reversed last year's defeat. G. Tomkinson took five wickets for 36. Scores for Everton: - Virr retired 14, D. Bain b Tomkinson 2, A Troup retired 6, E. Taylor b Tomkinson 1, A. Davies b Sommerville 5, D. Raitt b Tomkinson 0, H. Houghton c Bond b Tomkinson 32, H. Hardy b Tomkinson 37, J. Kendrick run out 16, Extres 8, for Everton R. Irvine, O'Donnell, Dean, and A. Dominy did not bat.

HERE THEY COME
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 11 August 1927
Bee’s Notes
Taylor; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Whites; Hardy; Raitt, Bain; Brown, Griffiths, Dickie; Critchley, Dominy, White, Houghton, Lewis. 
EVERTON’S FINE STORY
Everton have commenced the season well with a win, and with a vengeance.  This was the result of their game with Clubmoor Cricket Club, which ended last evening.  There was some doubt as to whether a final decision could be reached, but rain or anything else did not stop them; they stuck it well and ended up with a four-wicket victory, thus turning the tables on last year’s defeat when they lost by 34 runs.  The “dark-horse” of the side and top scorer was Harry Hardy, with 37, being closely followed by Happy Houghton with 32.  The partnership of Hardy and Kendrick, who were at the wickets when Clubmoor’s total was eclipsed, gave the spectators a “treat.”  They added 32 runs before Hardy was bowled.  Kendrick “slid” down to the field in a faction which is not seen in every-day cricket (perhaps the Clubmoor groundsman would not mind if he has spoiled his good work, as he is anticipating a bumper benefit from the collection).  “Dixie” by the way, who did not get a chance to show his skill with the bat, showed his hand with the “box,’ and captured a good number of “coppers,” Virr and Troup, after making 14 and 6, respectively went on the “retired list,” George Tomkinson, the Clubmoor medium bowler, claimed six for 36. 

COLWYN BAY F.C. TRAIL
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 11 August 1927
EX-EVERTON GOALKEEPER ENGAGED
Colwyn Bay held their trial match next Saturday, and on the following Saturday, August 20, the following will appear in a further trial.- Fern (goal);

TEAM FOR EVERTON TRIAL
Liverpool Echo - Friday 12 August 1927
Bee’s Notes
The teams for the first of the Everton practice games, due to be played at Goodison park tomorrow, kick-off 3.15, are; Blues; Taylor; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Whites;- Hardy; Raitt, Bain; Brown, Griffiths, Dickie; Critchley, Dominy, White, Houghton, Lewis. 

NEW FORWARD FOR ST. JOHNSTONE
August 13, 1927. Dundee Courier
Centre Who Did Well in Trial Games
St Johnstone yesterday secured the signature of a clever young centre in the person of James Paterson, a Camelon junior, who for the concluding four months of last season played for Everton. He took part with marked success in Saints' two trial games; in the first he netted three goals, and in the second one. In the second game he sustained an injury to his leg, from the effects of which, however, he is satisfactorily recovering. Paterson is 20 years age, stands 5 feet 7 ½ inches in height, and turns the scales at ten stones.

FOOTBALL’S TRIALS
Liverpool Echo-Saturday 13 August, 1927
EVERTON CHOOSE A NEW CAPTAIN
W. CRESSWELL’S HONOUR
By Bees
Everton and Tranmere Rovers had a try-out.  Everton have selected W. Cresswell as captain, in succession to Hunter Hart –this may surprise many Goodison people, but it is remembered that Cresswell was captain of the Sunderland side till he joined Everton.  Millington, the outside right, has suffered an early “fall,” having damaged a muscle, and he will not play for a month or so.  Irvine also “stubbed” his ankle.  After last season’s long list of injuries, Everton must wonder if they are going to continue in that trial this season. 
EVERTON KICK-OFF
Goodison Was a positive green carpet, and the crowd basked in the sunshine, there being something like 10,000 people present, a wonderful attendance considering the season is a fortnight distant, and the day was the first real sample of cricket weather.  Blues; Taylor; Cresswell (Captain), O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Whites; Hardy; Raitt, Bain (Captain); Brown, Griffiths, Dickie; Critchley, Dominy, White, Houghton, Lewis.  Cresswell and Bain, the rival captains, had a good reception, and play in the early stages concentrated to the right wing, Dickie proved a star item at left-back, but when Dean got his first hold of the ball he presented Forshaw with a great chance, but Hardy, with magnificent judgement saved the apparently unstoppable.  Weldon made a swinging left foot shot that passed narrowly over the bar, and for some time the play was of the prettiest character, and Dean was only stopped making an early goal by Bain getting in the way. 
FOUR GOALS IN EIGHT MINUTES
Forshaw sailed through, but Raitt headed out to save Hardy.  After a spell of still more artistic play White from Dominy’s centre scored the opening goal of the season.  This was the signal for four goals in eight minutes.  Lewis shot a curling ball, which Taylor seemed to clutch away after it had been over the line, and while the spectators at one end were busy comparing notes about this incident Dean went away to equalizer, and Weldon to take the lead in successive minutes.  But Dominy, an admirable tutor and always a strong shot, banged in a beauty, to make the score four goals divided in eight minutes.  Griffiths, Brown, Bain, Raitt, Cresswell, Hart and Weldon were the prominent personalities of the first half.  Weldon put one ball out of bounds into the adjoining street and the result was the introduction of a very nearly black ball, which showed up well and made one shudder to think of any foolish endeavor to introduce a white ball, which could not keep its colours on a wet day and would be hard to follow when high up in the air.  Lewis, the local boy, took pleasure in scoring an undebatable point when Taylor had gone out to fist away a centre, and had not reached the ball.  Thus the “juniors” led 3-2.  Dominy had hard lines when he hit the crossbar.  Taylor taking his second effort and later making the ball turn round the corner from a bad angle after the plucky and game Lewis at outside left had wormed his way through. Forshaw made a surprise drive, and another surprise was the success of Griffiths against Dean.  These two met last season at Wrexham when England played Wales and the boot was on the other foot that day.  Half-time; Everton Whites 3, Everton Blues 2.
Weldon scored for the Blues, making the score 3-3 one minute after resumption. 

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 13 August 1927
By Louis T. Kelly

EVERTON'S TRIAL GAME.
August 15 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
WELDON GETS 3 GOALS FOR FIRST TEAM.
By “Bees.”
As showing the hold Everton have upon the public a gate of 16,000 was recorded at the first trial match played by the Goodison Park club, and the offering of the players to that gate of £400 was quite acceptable, as the first team won 4-3, in an exciting game in which there was much artistry, goals in goodly number, three to Weldon, a crack shot, one to the favourite, Dean, and some slamming drives by Dominy (2), Lewis and White. Four goals came in eight minutes, and generally speaking although the later stages of the game palled a little, the goalkeeping of Taylor and Hardy was always sufficient to keep the game alive to the bitter end, for it was a bitter end in such sweltering circumstances as Saturday, when the sun shone brightly throughout the place. Mr. Ainsworth refereed an easy match and gave few fouls, and there was only one slight injury, to Critchley, when he damaged an arm, but soon resumed. Cresswell took up the Everton captaincy, and Hart; if anything played a better game than usual, thanks to being relieved of the cares of a side that was last season struggling from the first moment to the last kick. The trouble with this type of match is that one can so easily be led astray; therefore I desire that any evidence I give shall not be taken down and used against me. Having thus excused myself, I can afford to go through most of the eleven and fear naught. The first point of play was the appearance of a seventeen year old boy named Lewis of Shell Mex and Everton “A” team who at outside left showed a commanding idea of cutting in, a good drive, some speed, and a nerve to stand up to a man of the arts and classes of Cresswell. Lewis on his showing, should go far and gain much by experience. In some measures he resembles Dimmock.
THE GOALKEEPERS.
Then Dominy proved a great driving force for the second team and got two good goals and offered another to the strong limbed young fellow, ex-Southport, White by name. The goalkeeping of Taylor and Hardy was businesslike and they were kept busy, the shooting at all angles and ranges being above par. Naturally, the full backs did not re-enter into the game with a relish such as they will produce in league encounters, but this much can be said, that Raitt played a convincing and sure game without fiuorish, and Griffths, at centre half back, showed that Wrexham had lost something by transferring this man to Everton.
MORE GOALS IN STORE.
Griffiths has everything to recommend him. Brown the half-back too, showed the wisdom of his re-signing and with Weldon cracking hot shots and Troup skirting the line and occasionally offering a drive, Everton should at least get more goals than a year ago. The question really becomes one of defence –as last season. Irvine is filling the outside right position more acceptably than in his early efforts of a year ago, and with further chances he will develop the extreme wing game, while Dickie, of Poole, commended himself to everyone by his deadly method of intervention and his wise use of the ball; he is a very big fellow physically. Nothing more need to be added save that four goals were gained in eight minutes –rushing football successes. Result: - Blues 4, Whites 3 . Teams: - Blues: - Taylor, goal, Cresswell (captain) and O'Donnell, backs, Kelly Hart, and Virr, half-backs, Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup, forwards. Whites: - Hardy, goal, Raitt and Bain, backs, Brown, Griffiths, and Dickie, half-backs, Critchley, Dominy, White, Houghton, and Lewis, forwards. Referee Mr. Ainsworth.

ON WITH THE BIG BALL
Liverpool Echo - Monday 15 August 1927
EVERTON’S GOOD YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR HISTORY
Bee’s Notes
It was rather strange to read the newly-painted sign-post outside the Goodison Park portals.  We were advised that “Spectators took their own risk of the weather, and no money would be refunded.- By order of the Everton directors.”  No wonder it was blazing hot! We soon fell to renewing old friendships; there was Jock McDonald, still not fixed up-for some unaccountable reason- a worthy old veteran; the three Preston lads _Hamilton, Kerr, and Kendall-not a ha-porth o trouble to any football club, and very helpful to Preston, in due course; then there was the visit of the ex-Major of Congleton, Mr. William Alcock, who said he was “looking for promising youngsters for Congleton F.C.”  Along the stretch of benches one noticed the imagine of Jack Sharp, in Sharp secundus- am I right, Mr. Harvey Webb?  The boy being none other than Geoffrey Sharp, a bowler-to-be; and below and around a gate of 400 pounds on a fine summer’s day from 17,000 spectators.  It is all very wonderful how these people continue to roll up you after year.  They are drawn by a practice game, which is only a game, and cannot be treated seriously, if one does not want to say something striking and then find it used as evidence in later years of the folly of taking trial games seriously.
NOT OFFICIAL
I have seen so many trial games prove false to the truth of the subsequent days that I am chary about giving evidence in this Everton case.  Before I give evidence I desire that “anything I say shall not be taken down in evidence and used against me.”  Having got over that Barrier, let me introduce you to a replica of Dimmock of the Spurs.  His name, Lewis; his age, sweet 18; his style speedy; his build, stocky and physically good; his ideas of football founded on right lines; his former club, Shell-Mex; his opportunities, great now, but curbed last season through his club desiring him to stay on.  He was put to the nerve-racking task of standing up to the new Everton captain, Warney Cresswell; and I know something of the terror this man’s game strikes into his rival- I have played him at golf.  He makes all games seem to ridiculously easy.  That’s where we may be wrong in judging the boy Lewis on last Saturday’s show.  However, it appears to me that Lewis is born to the game of football, and if the lad will just remember that footballers, after about fifteen years of football life, go on to the scrap heap, he may realise that he is just a normal human being, very like any ordinary creature, and therefore should keep the name also in headgear.  More boys are spoiled in 1927 through swelled head than through any lack of ability.  The trouble is that they feel they are walking on air, and have no need to concentrate on the business that lies before them. 
GOALS IN PLENTY
This trial game proved that at least the “A” team of the club had done something good in bringing this boy, and Virr, Houghton, and others to the forefront.  I liked the way Houghton played; I liked young White, of Southport, a stocky, “hit em” style of player; the influence of Dominy on these lads will be big; then there was the duel between Griffiths, the tall, clever pivot from Wrexham, and Dean, Griffiths won the first round, Dean won the second; so they turned into the Turkish bath all square.  It was good to see these earnest youngsters; it was good to see Bill Brown doing so well and justifying his re-signing; it was good to see Hart, relieved of captaincy cares –and what a load it must have been last season- doing many brilliant things; you can’t expect men of the temperament of Kelly and O’Donnell to take these trial games seriously; they are not built that way; they want a struggle –and it will come soon enough.  Weldon’s sharp-shooting is just what Everton need-the strong free drive, low, got him goals –he got there, Dixie got one, Dominy two and a hit of the bar, and White and Lewis got the other pointers in a game that produced seven goals, four to the first team.  If nothing else, the game was intriguing because of the goalkeeping of Taylor and Hardy.  Dickie, of Poole, is a huge fellow, and his lasting power and his sharp intervention made him an outstanding figure.  More need not be said at the moment, except to say that the new turf cut up rather divot-fashion, but will be all right in due course.  Everton can’t do worse than last season- that’s easy logic- but I think on what we have seen, and what we know, that the club will sail in smoother waters this season. 

EVERTON’ SECOND
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 16 August 1927
Bee’s Notes
Everton’s second trial takes place tomorrow evening at 6.45.  this is the line-out;- Blues; Taylor; Raitt, O’Donnell; Kelly, Griffiths, Dickie; Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Whites; Davies; R. Curr, Bain; W. Curr, Hart, Rooney; Critchley, Easton, White, Wilkinson, Kendrick. The Blues this time have blended Raitt with O’Donnell and Griffiths has a run with Dickie in the senior defence.  In the Whites team the useful local Davies gets a show with young Curr, also a local as full-back, with yet another local Rooney at left half-back.  Everton a season ago had but one practice game- and it was a costly- “do” for hardy, who was out of goal for months as a consequence of a damaged ankle.  This year Liverpool have but one trial –on Saturday –and Everton make their second public display to-morrow night at 6.45. 

EVERTON TRIAL MATCH
August 18 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
CLEVER YOUN FORWARDS.
Everton held their second practice match at Goodison Park, last night when the Blues (the first team) beat the Whites 3-2. Irvine left the field at the interval and did not resume. He damaged his ankle, but the injury is not expected to kept him out of the game at all. It must be admitted that the Whites had the better of the first half, in which goals were scored by Easton and White, the only reply for the Blues coming from Dean, late on in the half. The young forward line showed some clever football, and with Easton, White, and Wilkinson all eager to show their shooting power, it was small wonder that Taylor had much more to do than Davies.
WHITE'S PLAY.
White is distinctly a go-ahead centre forward, and hits a tremendous shot, which is not often off the mark, while Easton was not only a worker but a schemer. Hart stood out in his side's half-back line, but Curr and Rooney showed great promise. Bain accomplished many smart things at full back. There is no more enthusiastic player on the Everton books than this general utility men, and R. Curr stood up to his work well, went into a tackle, and punted cleanly. Davies had a lot of work to do in the second portion, Dean and Weldon in particular plying him with shots. He had no chance with Weldon's goal. Of the Blues side, the appearance of Griffiths at centre half-back was followed closely and while he opened out with some strong play, he seemed to slack off somewhat, but for all that he demonstrated that he can not only stop an attack but can initiate forward moves. Hart, however, was the best middleman on view. Dickie was not so dominating as in the opening game.
WELDON'S SHOTS .
O'Donnell, with a powerful kick and at times a trifle too much finesse, was ably backed up by Raitt. Weldon worked hard, and once again demonstrated what a wonderful shot he possesses, while Dean, who scored two goals, offered up many chances besides having a couple of rasping efforts saved by Davies. Forshaw was dainty and crafty, and Troup made some fine openings. Dominy, by the way came out as substitute for Irvine. Teams : - Blues: - Taylor, goal, Raitt and O'Donnell, backs, Kelly, Griffiths, and Dickie, half-backs, Irvine (Dominy 46), Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup, forwards. Whites: - Davies, goal, R. Curr and Bain, backs, W. Curr, Hart (captain), and Rooney, half-backs, Critchley, Easton, White, Wilkinson, and Kendrick, forwards.

TRIAL MATCH COMMENTS
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 18 August 1927
By Stork
While Everton's second trial game, which the Blues (comprised chiefly first team players) won -3-2 produced plenty of football “meat," there was not the atmosphere one associates with League football, for it goes without saying that the men were content to enable through the game without taking undue risks.  Still, the match gave us a chance to run the rule over several young recruits and while it is not advisable to go off the deep end and severely criticize any one player either favourably or otherwise on a game of this character, one could not help but pick up a point or two.  We know sufficient about the play of the majority of the seniors to make further comment unnecessary, but with Griffiths in the Blues’ side, a word about this centre-half-back would not be out of order.  Griffiths opened well, and for a time took the eye, but one could not put him on the same plane as Hunter Hart, the most artistic half-back on the field.  Still, Griffiths is sure to come ahead.  The brothers Curr from Orrell, did remarkably well, but I have seen Dickie in more dominating mood.  Bain would not fail the club in any position.  I do not know any player who is more enthusiastic about his football.  “Anywhere will do as long as I am in the side,” he says, and that is the spirit.  He was quite sound as a full back.  Of the Whites’ side, I like best the forward line.  Here is youth allied to skill, Easton, and Wilkinson, the inside forwards are clever and effective while between them White a go-ahead forward is not afraid to risk a shot, and his marksmanship is accurate, as Ted Taylor will readily agree, for he had several rasping shots to deal with.  This line gave the Everton defence anxious moments through their quick action and first time drives.
WELDON’S GREAT SHOOTING
Weldon gave another glimpse of his remarkable shooting power, and his shot which scored would have beaten any goalkeeper. For it was a cannon ball.  Dean got two goals, and offered many others while Forshaw, who does things in a dainty manner, hit some lovely drives.  The wingers, Troup and Irvine centred well, and it was rank bad luck that the latter should injure his ankle in the first half, a hurt which kept him off the field for the remainder of the game, and allowed Dominy to come in.  I understand, however, that the injury is not likely to interfere with the training, and that a day’s rest will see it right.  Everton players by the way, had a day at Thornton on Monday, walking from Aintree to the Nag’s Head, where the afternoon was spent in bowls. 

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 20 August 1927
By Louis T. Kelly

EVERTON
Athletic News - Monday 22 August 1927
After one of the most disastrous campaigns they have ever experienced, Everton are entering upon the season more confidently than was the case twelve months ago, when they were in difficulties owing to injuries to certain players holding vital positions in the team.  There is not likely to be any change from the side that took part in the closing games of last season.  The directors have appointed W. Cresswell captain, and his selection has been popular among the players.  Jasper Kerr, who signed for Preston North end in the latter part of the season, has been joined at Deepdale by former colleagues in Kendall and Hamilton, while Kennedy and Peacock have linked up with Middlesbrough.  The South African player- Murray –left for Bristol City last march, Moffatt has gone to Oldham, and Weaver to Wolverhampton but so far as is known McDonald and Reid have not yet secured fresh engagements.  Much attention has been paid to the playing pitch which, with the exception of the corners, has been re-laid with turf from Westmorland.  The new stand, 483 feet in length is being installed with electric light, and the woody barriers have been replaced by a concrete wall, which completely surrounds the playing pitch. 

EVERTON FOOTBALLER’S DOG RUNS
Liverpool Echo - Monday 22 August 1927
BRECK PARK AND STANLEY
Ted Taylor the Everton goalkeeper is running a dog called appropriately enough Bill Mac. 

McDONALD MAKES A MOVE
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 24 August 1927
NEW BRIGHTON F.C SIGN ON OL EVERTON PLAYER
New Brighton F.C., to-day, signed Jock McDonald, the former Everton left full-back who was not retained by the Goodison Park club after last season.  Jock is by no means a veteran despite his long service, and in Everton’s relegation worries he brought forth his best and went through many grueling games with great success.  He is a strong, stern player, whose experience among the young defenders at Rake-lane should be invaluable.  The pity is that his new club cannot play him on Saturday owing to his not being in playing condition. 

BEE’S NOTES
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 24 August 1927
Everton’s reserve team to oppose Sheffield Wednesday Reserves in a Central league match at Hillsborough, on Saturday is; Hardy; Raitt, Bain; Brown, Griffiths, Dickie; Critchley, Easton, White, Wilkinson, Lewis.
EVERTONIAN’S DEMISE
The William McInnes whose demise is notified in today’s Echo is William McClintock, the old Everton stalwart of whom Victor Hall wrote so appreciatively two seasons ago.  Many old friends will have missed him.  The notification of his death will recall old times. 

OFF THEY GO
Liverpool Echo - Friday 26 August 1927
Bee’s Notes
The busy season starts with a little tilt against Sheffield –friends and foes in one and the same breath.  Wednesday come to Everton’s ground assured of a warm welcome because we recognize in them as old firm that is ever given a warm handshake here.  The advent of men like Jim Seed (Spurs), Trooter, the hot goal-getter; clever Kirkwood, not forgetting the full strength mixture of the Wednesday half-back line, all helps to remind us of the necessity of Everton getting off the mark with a will and some dash and speed intermixed.  Wednesday last season gave us a great game at Goodison Park in a duel of wits that produced a 2-1 victory that could easily have turned its face the other way if the slightest fortune had attended Wednesday’s prayers.  However, that was the old Everton.
THE NEW EVERTON
Everton to-day, should be a confident body; and there should be unanimity about that.  The bogey of relegation is forgotten; and the remembrance of their disastrous start of a year ago with a bundle of away engagements, is a mere fancy of memory –now!  Thus Everton can afford to take on a new mantle.  Let them go into the fray, not in fear and trembling, but with the belief that on the left flank and on the right flank there will be goals to sharp-shooters who are not overelaborate; not forgetting, of course, the chance of Dean squeezing his way through with a healthy shoulder charge, and gaining some more to his name.  Everton’s defence should, by now, have some idea of itself and its neighbor, and the result should be an accommodating trinity that should stem the tide of the Sheffield invasion.  Good fortune be the lot of all the players and all the clubs; take defeat with a smile; fair play is still Liverpool’s great desire and demand.  Everton; Taylor; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup. 

EVERTON START AT HOME.
August 27 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
The programme of Football League games is a highly entertaing one, and given reasonable weather conditions, I expect a large crowds everywhere. On Mereseyside Everton begin operations with Sheffield Wednesday as visitors to Goodison Park. The shock which the Walton club sustained last season has not been forgotten, but compensation in the shape of greater success is expected this season. Although the side has one or two weak places, I have great faith in the club's half-back strength for it the three men who are due to duty today do not strike their form immediately, there are three equally good players in the reserve ranks ready to fill the breach. A club's power to my mind, can always be measured by the calibre of its half-backs. Everton, on paper, have a good side, and if Irvine can settle down to the outside right berth, then I believe the forwards will prove most effective. Irvine is rather out of his element on the wing, but he is too good a player to be left out. I expect Everton to win. The Wednesday are a strong combination, and the forward line will be improved by the introduction of Seed late of Tottenham Hotspurs. The Kick-off is at 3.15 and the teams are: - Everton, Taylor, Creswell O'Donnell, Kelly, Hart, Virt, Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup. Sheffield Wednesday: - Brown, Felton, Blenkinsopp, Leach, Kean, Marsden, Williams, Seed, Trotter, Strange, and Wilkinson.

EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 27 August 1927
FIRST HOME GAME OF THE BIG SESSION
GOODISON GLORY?
WEDNESDAY, POPULAR VISITORS TO WALTON
By Stork
Everton; Taylor; Cresswell (Captain), O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Sheffield Wednesday; -Brown; Felton, Blenkinsop; Leach, Kean (Captain), Marsden; Williams, Seed, Trotter, Strange, Wilkinson.  Referee, A.J. Caseley, of Wolverhampton.  That Liverpool was ready for its football was demonstrated by the wonderful crowd which presented itself for the opening match of the season with Sheffield Wednesday.   Fully fifteen minutes before the start I estimated the crowd of 50,000 and judging by the packed cars which I met en route, 40,000 would see the kick-off. 
GREETING THEIR NEW CAPTAIN. 
The ground looked a perfect picture, and when Everton’s new captain, Warney Cresswell, lewd his men into the arena; it was the occasion for great cheering.  The Wednesday’s greeting was very little behind that accorded to Everton, which told us that the Yorkshire side would not lack for want of vocal assistance.  Cresswell, in his new capacity, was not a success in his call for choice of ends, but really it mattered little for there was no wind or sun to face.  The way Everton opened out was grand, and almost from the kick-off they engineered an attack which would not please the Wednesday’s supporters, for it might easily have brought a goal inside a minute.  Weldon initiated the movement with a fine pass to Troup, whose lob into the middle was without doubt an awkward ball for Dean.  It was too high for the foot and yet a shade too low or the head, but Dean has a habit of overcoming these difficulties and stooping low he made a valiant effort to head a goal.
AN UNSATISFYING ANGLE.
Unfortunately, the ball soared over the crossbar. It went over the same place a little later, when Brown punched away a header from Forshaw on to Irvine, who promptly swung it back over the cross-bar.  One might say that Sheffield had come out of two difficult positions luckily, but they were no more fortunate than Everton, when Strange passed the ball right across Taylor’s goal-mouth, and with Williams running in, he should have hit the ball without hesitation.  It was his main chance of scoring, but he was evidently not satisfied with his angle.  He preferred to offer a better-placed colleague the pass, which however, never came, through the intervention of an Everton defender.  Dean forced Felton into yielding a corner. Then came the first real sensation.  What a sensation, too!  It left the spectators speechless.  This is what happened.  Everton had made an attack through Cresswell, who had intercepted a pass in the Wednesday, half, and punted it right into the middle.  Dean, thinking he was offside, allowed it to go by him, and even Troup could hardly believe his own eyes when he saw the referee signal “play-on.”  At all events, the little fellow did play on by pushing the ball right in front of goal, where Dean had only to touch it to make it into a scoring point.  Here the sensational, Dean, to everybody’s dismay, kicked right round the ball, and although Irvine came up in an effort to retrieve his colleagues’ error, the Wednesday goal did not fall.  At this point Everton were on top, and Dean had the hardest lines on not making atonement for his earlier miss. 
THE PLAY THAT DELIGHTS.
He headed one just a trifle wide when brown could not have saved, and a little later he had everybody beaten with a header that bumped against the cross-bar.  Everton were undoubtedly showing excellent form.  Their footwork was a treat to watch, for it was of the first-time order.  The ball was finished from man to man with lightning rapidity, and none did better than Forshaw, whose constructional play was the acme of perfection.  Weldon and Troup also had a good understanding, and Dean was in his most spirited mood.  Weldon tried some first-time efforts that were strong enough, but just lacked that little accuracy which would have made all the difference.  Brown had to save a low drive from Troup, and then Irvine had to be assisted to the touching through an injured leg.  When the Wednesday made one of their few raids, first Cresswell, then Virr made two tackles which drove them back.
TROUP’S WONDER GOAL
At the 26th minute Everton took the lead through one of the best goals it has ever been my joy to see. Troop was the scorer, and it was really amazing how he got the ball into the net from his angle, which was anything but a shooting one. I doubt if any one spectator expected him to shoot when he took Dean's perfect pass, and I am sure goalkeeper Brown was last in the world to think any man could score from such an angle.  But Troup's drive went in like the flight of an arrow, with Brown making his attempt a fraction of a second late.  The cheer which greeted this goal came as from one man, and I may say it deversed it. A minute later the crowd had a little chance to let itself go, for Weldon had put on another goal. There was no real initial work attached to it. The inside left simply took a chance with a long shot, which, however, was full of pace, and Brown was beaten for the second time  within a minute. The Sheffield half-backs seemed unable to cope with Everton’s relentless forwards; in fact, for fully 20 minutes it had been a battle between Everton’s attack and the Wednesday’s defence.  There was no question as to who won the duel-Everton.  Wednesday had a chance when they gained a corner, for William’s flag kick was not an easy one for any goalkeeper, but Taylor adopted “safely first” methods and wisely tipped it over the bar.  A better chance came their way when Strange was offered an opening.  He hit the ball hard, but not true, and thus Taylor was saved. 
TROTTER A MARKED MAN
Everton, however, were soon at it again, and Dean with another header was just a shade out.  I would like to mention that so far troffer had not had one solitary shot at the Everton goal.  Hart saw to that.  Dean worried the soul case out of the Wednesday backs.  He never gave them a minutes’ peace, while Wilkinson tried a haphazard sort of effort that screwed well away from the goal.  In the last few minutes, and with a minute remaining for play, Dean side-stepped Felton, and was going pell mell for goal, but Brown, in this instance, defeated Dixie by a matter of inches only.  Another corner for the Wednesday bore no fruit and then Cresswell sliced a ball which let in Trotter.  Taylor was in a helpless position at the time, the best he could do was to come, which he did, and Trotter slammed the ball on to his legs and this into safely, and now at the half stage Everton were leading by a nice margin.  Half-time; Everton 2, Sheffield Wednesday nil. 
PLAY THAT DELIGHTED THE CROWD
FOUR ROUSING GOALS
WEDNESDAY OUTPLAYED AT EVERY POINT
Everton resumed in the same way as they had left off –a strong attack; and rarely were the Wednesday allowed to cross the half-way line.  Dean caused Brown to save, Forshaw short wide, Virr branched out as a shooter, too, but the best shot of the half so far came from Dean, Brown catching his drive smartly.  I was not at ball impressed by the Wednesday defenders.  They seemed to think it was their job to simply boot the ball anywhere any anyhow.  The Everton defence on the other hand, did nothing without there was an end in view.  Virr was injured on the thigh and Brown had to make a good save from Irvine, who was still limping. 
FORSHAW TAKES DEAN’S NOD.
Such pressure as Everton were applying could not possibly be withstood, and when, at the 62nd minute, Forshaw scored, they had not got anything they had not deserved.  O’Donnell was the instigator of this goal, for he placed the ball right to Dean’s head, who nodded it back to Forshaw to do the rest. 
DEAN SCORES THE FOURTH
Dean once worked his way through, and everybody was on the tip toes of expectancy, but Dean lost touch with the ball, and showed his disappointment, too.  That disappointment, however, was turned into joy a moment later, when Dean took Irvine’s well-timed pass while on the run, and slipped the ball well out of the reach of Brown.  Four-nil was undoubtedly a good start, but the best point of the score was that Everton deserved it.  They might have had a fifth if Irvine had not shot straight into the goalkeeper, a shot, by the way, which knocked the keeper out for some minutes.  Brown, who had been the Wednesday’s best man, had to save another fire-driver from Weldon just after he saw an effort by Dean slip by his woodwork. 
 A PERFECT DAY ENDS
Marsden nearly scored at the last moment, lobbing the ball over the bar with nobody at hand to prevent a goal if it had dropped in front of the net instead of in the rear.  Dean was on the mark with another drive which brought the goalkeeper to his feet, and so ended a perfect day, from an Everton point of view.  Final; Everton 4, Sheffield Wednesday 0. 

BOOTLE CELTIC V EVERTON A
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 27 August 1927
The Celtic attacked and obtained an early goal.  Tole scoring during a melee in the goalmouth.  The home team were a little more aggressive, and their finishing touches being more accurately they would certainly have scored more goals. 

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 27 August 1927
By Louis T. Kelly

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY OUT OF STEP TO THE “EVERTON BLUES”
Star Green 'un - Saturday 27 August 1927
HOME LEFT WING CALL A LIVELY TUNE
HILLSBROUGH MEN “ALL OUT” BUT NOT AS NEAT AS THE GOODISON BRIDGE
EVERTON 4 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
By “Looker-On,”
The big blot on Sheffield Wednesday’s –note the “Sheffield,” please –record last season was the fact that they did not win a single away match and their supporters were particularly anxious that unenviable sequence be ended as soon as possible in the new season.  The Hillsborough brigade opened the campaign with a journey to Liverpool to meet the expensive Everton team at Goodison Park, and were all out to bring off their “leg” of the Sheffield –Merseyside duel.  Wednesday had only one new man in the side, but widespread interest was centred in Seed’s debut for his new club.  On all sides it has been agreed that the ex-Tottenham forward may make a world of different to the attack, and his first game with the Blues and Whites was the subject of eager speculation.  Fred Kean, at centre half, had a redoubtable foeman for the opening match in England’s centre-forward, “Dixie” Dean.  When Wednesday arrived at Goodison Park, about two o’clock there were long queues of enthusiasts waiting for the gates to open –a sure sign of the public pleasure at the return of the big ball.  The weather was fine, and hopes as high as they were in Sheffield.  Both Everton and Wednesday played the teams as selected, which were; Everton; Taylor; Cresswell (Captain), and O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, and Virr; Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup.  Sheffield Wednesday; Brown; Felton, and Blenkinsopp, Leach, Kean (Captain), and Marsden; Williams, Seed, Trotter, Strange, and Wilkinson.  Referee; Mr. A.J. Caseley (Wolverhampton).  When the game began the attendance was about 30,000.  Cresswell was Everton’s captain, and one noted that Wednesday got as big a cheer as the blues.  Kean began well enough to win the toss. Seed was promptly checked after a dexterous dribble, and there was excitement when a clearance by Felton saw the ball bump off an opponent for Troup to get away, Leach intervened and gave a free kick; but nothing came of it.  Later Dean headed over from a centre by Troup.  Wednesday darted off and Trotter lodged the ball in the net, but the whistle had already gone for off-side when he got the ball from Williams’ centre. 
SEED’S CLEVER FOOTWORK
Everton were certainly lively, and Brown had to hasten himself.  However, Wednesday made tracks on the left and Kean got a pass over to Trotter and Seed, and just missed with a fine shot for goal.  Williams failed in a short pass back to his partner.  Seed contributed more clever footwork to swing the ball out to Wilkinson.  Jackie was if like a shot but Cresswell rolled him over.  Leach was somewhat crude in his methods; nevertheless he was a thorn in the side of Troup.  He tried to be a “Jack-in-the-box.”  Once, tough he conceded a free-kick.  Troup took the kick, and Leach headed out.  Thereupon Cresswell, well up, just swung the ball over the Wednesday’s heads to Troup, who had a clear course and took it.  The Scot cut in, and had Brown alone to beat.  Brown fell full length and pushed the ball across the goalmouth. 
DEAN’S MISS AT A YARD
It rolled to Dean, who now stood a yard off the goal, and the centre-forward, to the amazement of the crowd, misfired and missed an open goal, for Brown was still prostrate.  Kean kicked out for a corner and the situation was saved.  Marsden had a leg hurt but not seriously.  The Sheffielders, much relieved at the narrow escape, transferred operations.  Not for long though.  Everton’s left-wing trotted down again.  Dean, from Troup’s centre first headed inches wide and then headed on to the cross-bar.  Another squeak!  Then the Wednesday goalkeeper had to save a fine drive from Weldon, who, a little later, put in another shot which went wide.  Hereabouts the Blues were calling the tune, with Dean ever playing with considerable skill and resource.  He connected the wings finely.  It was the left wing which made the most headway and Troup, with twinkling feet, took up a pass to cut in and smash in a hot drive.  Brown made a great save at the foot of the post, and Blenkinsop completed the clearance. 
TWO GOALS IN A MINUTE
Cresswell was a bit too crafty, heavy and experienced for Wilkinson and the home halves prevented the visiting attack from settling down.  So for a quarter of an hour it was a case of “all hands to the pump,” in the Wednesday defence.  It was not surprising; therefore, that Everton scored two goals in just over a minute.  After 27 minutes’ play, Dean cleverly fed TROUP, and the outside-left, from a most difficult oblique angle, drove in a cross high shot.  The ball glided along the underside of the crossbar into the net.  A shot like that does not often come off but it did in this case.  Restarting, Everton got going and this time from 25 yards out, WELDON drove in fiercely and beat Brown a second time.  The ball was swerving all the way.  After that Brown had to save a hot effort from Irvine, but Wednesday were not discouraged and made a series of attacks which saw corners won outright by Williams, while Seed was twice applauded for praiseworthy efforts.  Wednesday did not spare themselves but their attacks did not finish so neatly as Everton’s.  Strange had a chance of reducing the deficit from a centre by Williams, but the inside left was a yard wide of the post.  Wilkinson and Seed tried their luck with ling shots.  Play proceeded on fast lines and Everton though having the better of matters had alarms.  For instance, when Cresswell miskicked, trotter shot; but Taylor with splendid anticipation had come out and put out a leg to divert the ball.  Half-time; Everton 2, Sheffield Wednesday 0.
Wednesday worked manfully down on restarting and forced a corner via Wilkinson, but Everton cleared it, and, in attempting to control a pass to Dean, Felton yielded a flag-kick.  From this Brown had to save a swift header from Dean, and the next minute, fell full length, when Virr fired in a daisy-cutter, which was but a foot wide of its objective.  For some minutes Everton pressed, and Virr took a long flying shot which went only just wide. 
TOFFEE MEN THREE UP. 
Then Dean came into the limelight again with a terrific drive which Brown saved admirably. For Wednesday Seed showed with some clever footwork and sent a pass to Trotter: but Taylor ran out and grabbed the ball off his toe.  Wednesday were now breathing easier and carrying the play into the enemy’s territory, so that the opposition became a bit flurried. Marsden shot inches over the bar.  Seed was the unhappy victim of wrong off-side decision when going through.  But the luck was with the visitors. When Marsden missed his kick, Irvine failed to score from close in. He shot through; but Brown had the ball covered all the way and saved.  The half was 19 minutes old when Everton became three goals up. O’Donnell kicked the ball well up, Dean, heading it to FORSHAW, and that player scored with a fast, rising drive. The Sheffielders could just keep on the defensive for the most part. 
MARSDEN NETS BUT OFFSIDE. 
Relief came when Wilkinson won another comer off Cresswell the result of a long pass. Taylor, however, caught his flag-kick.  Marsden later got the ball over the line; but he was offside.
ONE FOR” DIXIE”
Dean made a valiant effort, but Kean spiked hit guns. The irrepressible centre was soon off again, however, and, after Irvine had made the running, he finished up adroit pass the centre-forward.  DEAN ran on to ram the ball high up past Brown’s outstretched arms.  Goal No.four.  Forshaw now went to outside right and Irvine come inside. Forshaw was not long inactive, the ball whizzed over near to goal, and ad he was only a couple of yards out, he fired in a shot with his left foot.
BROWN’S FINE SAVES. 
Once more Brown saved on his knees at the foot the post a fine piece of work.  He was momentarily hurt. The English goalkeeper had plenty of opportunities to show his brilliance in the concluding stage making several fine saves.  Marsden, who was now playing at inside left, had hard luck towards the end, when he lobbed a ball on the top of the net when he was almost through. Strange had been playing at left-half for a time.  Result; Everton 4, Sheffield Wednesday 0.

CENTRAL LEAGUE
Star Green 'un - Saturday 27 August 1927
HOOPER CONVERTS CENTRES FROM THE LEFT
WEDNESDAY RES, LEAD
The curtain for the 1927-28 season at Hillsborough was rung up this afternoon with the Central league match between Sheffield Wednesday Reserves and Everton reserves.  The visitors included Hardy, the former Stockport County goalkeeper; Griffiths the Welsh international and ex-Wrexham centre-half and Bain, the old Manchester United player, who figured at left back.  Teams; Sheffield Wednesday Res; Mellors; Hogkiss, and Walker; Kirkwood, Foggatt, and Smith; Hooper, Hill, Powell, Marson, and Prince.  Everton Res; Hardy; Raitt, and Bain; Brown, Griffiths, and Dickie; Critchley, Easton, White,. Wilkinson, and Lewis.  Referee Mr. B. Harwood (Padiham).  There were about 6,000 spectators when the game started.  Everton won the toss, and were first to get going.  The Wednesday them got away, and Hooper put across a centre, which hardy cleared.  Marson was prominent in the Wednesday forward line, and put in a shot from just outside the penalty area.  It narrowly missed.  The inside left was again in the picture shortly afterwards, and Hardy brought off a minutes’ play, Hooper steering the ball past about 12 yards.  The game was exceedingly fast and both ends were visited in turn.  Clever play on the Wednesday left brought about a goal after 25 minutes play, HOOPER steering the ball past Hardy from about eight yards.  The Everton attack was polished; but it lacked that last bit of thrust which was noticeable in the home team.  Ten minutes later Wednesday went further ahead with another goal by HOOPER the outside right again concerting a centre from the left, giving Hardy no possible chance from about five yards.  Two minutes before half-time Everton reduced the lead, a mistake on the part of the Sheffield defence allowing WHITE to beat Mellors easily from close quarters.
Half-time; Sheffield Wednesday Res 2, Everton Res 1.
The crowd had increased during the first half to over 10,000.  Play on resumption was very even, but neither goalkeeper was given really difficult shots to save.
EVERTON GOAL DISALLOWED
Froggatt, who had played a good, spoiling game all through, tried a long shot which Hardy easily cleared.  At the end of a quarter of an hour Easton, the Everton inside right, got the ball into the net, and the referee pointed to the centre of the field.  After consultation, however, with one of the linesmen, the goal was disallowed.  The Wednesday played better football in the closing half, and for a time had Everton on the defensive.  Powell had distinctly hard lines when he headed just over the bar from a beautifully placed centre by Hill.  Ten minutes from the end in a hot Wednesday attack Marson put in a great shot from outside the penalty area which Hardy did well to push away.  POWELL, however, rushing up put the ball into the net. RESULT;- Sheffield Wednesday res 3, Everton Res 1. 

EVERTON 4 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 0
August 29 TH 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
EVERTON'S SOUND WIN.
4 CLEAR GOALS AGAINST THE WEDNESDAY.
TROUP'S GREAT CROSS SHOT.
Everton delighted a big crowd in the opening game of the season at Goodison Park with their sparkling play and splendid four clear goals' win over Sheffield Wednesday. Everton were both confident and competent and on the play a bigger success would not have been surprising. Although it may not be wise to take the result of Saturday's game as a future guilde, it can safely be said that Everton's side was sound, well balanced and well deserved its brilliant initial success. It must not be overlooked however, that Sheffield Wednesday had only a moderate side that was overplayed and outgeneralled at almost every point. There was much to appreciate in the bold, convincing work of the Everton forwards, the clever craftsmanship of the half-backs and the soundness of the defence. Indeed, Everton's display reached a high standard especially when compared with the moderate work of the Yorkshire side. It was in the first Twenty minutes that the game was won and lost. During this period there was a battle royal between the Everton forwards and the Sheffield defence, and as no defence could for long stand such intensive methods without weakening it was not surprising that Everton's ultimate success was so complete. Taylor had few anxious moments against the weak Sheffield forwards, but he was one or twice fortunate to be in the right place, as for instance, when near the interval, Trotter made one of his few scoring efforts and the ball hit Taylor on the legs. Both Cresswell and O'Donnell played a sound and effective game. Cresswell was the more polished, and at times he seemed to carry his nonchalance to excess, but he was always quick to recover, and often to the surprise of his opponents. O'Donnell was more dashing, yet none the less confident. Of the half-backs Hart was masterly in the centre –a skilful tactician –while Kelly and the hard working Virr served up some delightful openings for the forwards in addition to keeping the Sheffield forwards in check.
THE THRUSTFUL DEAN.
There were times when Irvine did not utilise the openings, which he himself had created to the best advantage, but apart from that there was little wrong with the Everton attack. Dean was trustful, discreet in his passing, and always difficult to subdue, even allowing that he missed a great chance early on. Troup and Weldon made a capital wing especially in the first half, when their bold, vigorous work was mainly responsible for Everton reaping the due reward of their excellent play. Forshaw was crafty and skilful in providing openings, and generally did well, while Irvine was clever with the ball although he was the only Everton forward without a goal.
BROWN'S SAVES.
The Wednesday had three good performers in Brown, Kean, and Wilkinson. Brown made some thrilling saves in the Sheffield goal, and in spite of the heavy defeat played his part well as did Kean with his bustling methods in the pivotal position. The backs kicked without discretion, and too frequently left the goal uncovered to be considered effective, while the wing half-backs rarely helped their own forwards, being too busy aiding the defence. Trotter rarely got a chance and Seed, although he occasionally put in some dainty touches, was poorly supported.
TROUP'S GREAT GOAL.
It was not a great game, but served to show Everton capable of playing sound, purposeful football that showed be an encouragement for the future. The goals were scored by Troup (27 minutes), Weldon (28 minutes), Forshaw (62 minutes), and Dean (75 minutes). Troup's goal was the best of the four; a brilliant drive from a difficult angle, that quite deceived Brown, while Weldon a long, hard drive was another example of taking a chance without wasting precious time. Teams : - Everton: - Taylor, goal, Cresswell (captain), and O'Donnell, backs, Kelly, Hart, and Virr, half-backs, Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup, forwards. Sheffield Wednesday: - Brown, goal, Felton, and Blenkinsopp, backs, Leach, Kean, and Marsden, half-backs, Williams, Seed, Trotter, Strange, and Wilkinson, forwards.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY RESERVES 3 EVERTON RESERVES 1
August 29 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 1)
In Everton's Central League fixture with Sheffield Wednesday, at Hillsboro Griffiths, Everton's centre-half, was the most prominent player on the field. Splendid in defence he fed his forwards finely. The forwards were clever but their finishing was weak, Everton, the inside right being the best. Sheffield Wednesday led at half time by two goals to one, Hooper scoring both, while White obtained Everton's point ten minutes from the end. Powell increased Wednesday's lead. It was a fast hard game. Everton: - Hardy, goal, Raitt and Bain, backs, Brown, Griffiths, and Dickie, half-backs, Critchley, Easton, White, Wilkinson, and Lewis, forwards .

WEDNESDAY WELL BEATEN
Sheffield Independent - Monday 29 August 1927
EVERTON DISPLAY SUGGESTS NO MORE RELEGATION FEARS
DEFENDERS HARD PUT TO
EVERTON 4, WEDNESDAY 0
By Our Own Correspondent
Everton proved altogether too good for Sheffield Wednesday at Goodison Park, where the home side won by four clear goals.  The visitors were unable to cope with a fast moving side who exhibited great dash and shooting power, while the backs and half-backs were so sound that Taylor in goal had little to do.  Fore and aft Everton were always masters of the situation and the Wednesday backs and halves were so hard-worked that it was not to be wondered at that they showed signs of faltering towards the end.  The Sheffield forwards were unable to give any sustained relief, and on this form the Sheffield club must needs make changes if they are to hold their own in strenuous competition.
DESPITE THE GOALS
Although Brown was beaten four times he made several fine saves and undoubtedly saved his side from a heavier defeat.  Brown seemed to misjudge a terrific drive from Troup who shot from an acute angle but the ball flashed into the net.  A minute later Weldon also beat him with a long shot, and Everton led by 2-0 at the interval.  In the second half, Dean and Forshaw added goals the centre-forwards point following a beautiful bit of combination in which Dean and Irvine participated.  Later, Brown, saved finely from Irvine, Forshaw and Weldon. 
HARD-WORKED BACKS
Felton and Blenkinsop worked hard, but unavailingly to stave off disaster.  Of the half-backs, Marsden and Kean did well, the former sending in two of the best shots of the match.  As a line however, they were not up to the calibre of the Everton trio.  Of the forwards, Seed and Wilkinson showed skill, but the line was not allowed to work smoothly.  Twice the ball was netted, but from such obviously off-side positions that no claim was made.  The Everton team suggests a much better season than last year.  Taylor’s resourcefulness was not tested so ably did Cresswell and O’Donnell play; while Kelly, Hart, and Virr were fine half-backs.  Dean led the line finely and the whole five displaced refreshing dash, though Irvine at outside right did not make the most of the changes.  Teams; - Everton; Taylor; Cresswell (Captain), O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Sheffield Wednesday; Brown; Felton, Blenkinsopp; Leach, Kean (Captain), Marsden; Williams, Seed, Trotter, Strange, Wilkinson.  

QUICKNESS ON BALL
Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Monday 29 August 1927
CHIEF FACTOR IN EVERTON’S DEFEAT OF WEDNESDAY
CONTRAST IN ATTACK
Sheffield Wednesday, in their opening game of the new campaign, sustained a heavy defeat at Goodison Park, Liverpool, where Everton cut many capers and won by 4 —0. A crowd of 40,000 people saw the match.  There is no cause for the Sheffield team be filled with dismay on account of their unhappy bow; many teams will fail Goodison Park this season if Everton maintain the splendid form which they displayed on Saturday. This Everton side cost a mint of money last spring, and it would have been astonishing had the men failed to distinguish themselves.  It was a hard-fought match, with several storming passages, even though Everton were never in real danger of losing their grip of the situation. A young battling brigade was out-manoeuvred by craftsmen of greater experience.  Wednesday dashed about with plenty of zeal, whereas Everton let the ball the work, and had superior control and the more effective combination. Still one believes that the most important factor of Everton’s success was their quickness on the ball. Without question, they were the quicker in that direction and this, allied with prompt decision, seriously disturbed their opponents.  Those reasons may be advanced explain why Wednesday had a forward line of units, as against a cohesive attack on the part of Everton, and why the backs and flank halves did not harmonise.
Wednesday Miss Two Good Chances. 
Everton scored two goals in two minutes midway through the first half, and those goals virtually settled the issue. Actually, they ought to have been in front some time previously, for once Dean headed on to the crossbar and later missed a gilt-edged opening. As it was, the delayed first goal had a slice of fortune about it, as Troup, accepting a pass from Dean, shot from a difficult oblique angle, and had the pleasure of seeing the ball glide along the underside of the crossbar and drop behind Brown into the net. Weldon’s goal, which promptly followed, was bow at venture.  From 25 yards out, after swinging right round, made fierce drive, the ball swerving away from Brown into the rigging.  In the second half Forshaw and Dean scored with well-placed drives, following clever passing.  That further goals were not obtained was due to masterly exhibition Brown in the Wednesday goal. The England goalkeeper made several brilliant saves, and showed that sails under no false colours. It. is probable the game would have undergone a change had Wednesday taken advantage of two scoring chances which they had in the last 15 minutes of the first half. Strange had superb opening with only Taylor beat, yet shot wide, and just before the interval Trotter was not smart enough to utilise an error made Cresewell. The back miskicked and Trotter was placed in possession. He shot, but Taylor, who had anticipated the danger, had run out, and diverted the ball with his foot. Trotter and Marsden each got the ball over the line, but the whistle had gone for off-side.
Flashes of Brilliance by Seed. 
The Wednesday defence cannot be blamed for the defeat. Felton and Blenkinsop had enormous amount work to get through, and the surprising thing is that Felton kicked well, for he had leg damaged in the first half.  Incidentally, Marsden had his right thigh injured fairly early on, and this was a handicap.  As a matter of fact Wednesday’s halves never could subdue Everton’s live forwards. Dean, who besides being fast, was bustling and  brainy centre, gained the honours over Kean, despite the latter’s whole-hearted exertions, and Troup and Weldon were too experienced and crafty for Leach, though the young half-back curbed them somewhat after the interval.  Weldon’s positional play was excellent; but then so was that of the majority of the Everton men.  Cresswell, for example, while harassed occasionally by the plucky Wilkinson, often the winger his astuteness in this department. Wednesday's forwards could never maintain long a footing in the home half.  Trotter was quite put out of the picture by Hart, and Williams got little satisfaction out of challenges with O’Donnell.  The best visiting forward was Seed. He displayed flashes of brilliance, fine footwork, and design, but Everton soon sensed the danger and took precautions. In short. Everton were a clever side from stem to stern.  Everton.—Taylor; Cresswell and O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, and Virr; Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and  Troup.  Sheffield Wednesday. Brown; Felton and Blenkinsop; Leach, Kean, and Marsden; Williams, Seed, Trotter, Strange, and Wilkinson.

WEDNESDAY OUTCLASSED
Athletic News - Monday 29 August 1927
EVERTON FLASH
EVERTON 4 THE WEDNESDAY 0
By Junius
Everton fielded the team that completed last term, and their display on Saturday was a revelation.  While winning handsomely, their exhibition warranted a victory which might easily have been more pronounced.  The team deserved success because every player was a master in his position, and the outstanding feature to my mind was the complete understanding that existed between the half-back and forward line.  Then again, the forwards combined subtlety of movement with penetrative power, and so frequently did these essentials develop that the Sheffield defence was literally overwhelmed, and had not the goalkeeper been at what is usually regarded as the top of his form the score must easily have been doubled.
HARASSED DEFENDERS
It was Everton’s day; there was not a position that could be described as wanting and especially encouraging was the fact that the forwards, in addition to giving an entertaining exhibition of foot craft, were marksmen of ability.  As a subsequence, the Wednesday defenders were harassed into blunders and got little relief, while the team as a whole were reduced to such a pass that there was little time for constructive efforts, and their task became a struggle against odds practically throughout.  Wednesday’s forward play was rarely of a sustained nature with an expenditure of more energy than skill, while the half-back play was below standard consequent upon the virile and effective work of the opposing forwards.  Everton took charge of the game from the outset, and after Troup and Dean had failed to accept gilt-edged chances TROUP redeemed the position when play had been going 25 minutes, while WELDON, sixty seconds later, completely beat Brown with a long and powerful drive.  Meanwhile Wilkinson, on the Wednesday left, put in good work with fine centres that merited better results, and towards the interval Strange should have reduced the lead when only a few yards from Taylor.  Twenty minutes after the resumption DEAN, with a flick of the head, enabled FORSHAW to score a clever goal, and, following a combined movement between Irvine and DEAN, scoring was completed 15 minutes from the finish.
AN IMPROVED DEAN
While all the Everton forwards did well one noticed an improvement in Dean’s play.  Not only was he a leader, but he sought the ball and his marksmanship has lost none of its merit.  Weldon, persistent and alert, was a power in attack and with Troup caused Leach and Felton much anxiety.  Forshaw was a schemer, the opposition finding his intentions difficult to divine, and with Irvine he formed a capable right wing.  Kelly, Hart and Virr were a stout barrier upon which the Wednesday attacks foundered.  In O’Donnell and Cresswell Everton were well served, the left back, dashing and resourceful, supplementing the quieter and neater work of Cresswell, whose generalship was a potent factor to success, while Taylor kept a safe goal.  As I have indicated The Wednesday forwards lacked cohesive movements and a better understanding will have to be reached with the half-backs of the club is to make progress.  Little was seen of Seed, but the movements of the line as a whole were patchy.  Kean had more than he could cope with, and Marshall was the most effective of the half-backs.  Leach occasionally did well, but should not question a linesman’s ruling.  That offence brought the player a reprimand from the referee.  Everton; Taylor; Cresswell (Captain), O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup.  Sheffield Wednesday; Brown; Felton, Blenkinsopp; Leach, Kean (Captain), Marsden; Williams, Seed, Trotter, Strange, and Wilkinson.  Referee; Mr. A.J. Caseley, Wolverhampton. 

STORK ON EVERTON WIN
Liverpool Echo - Monday 29 August 1927
A good start in life is worth a great deal and it is worth just as much in the game of football.  Everton, by defeating the Wednesday, did uncommonly well, and while I am only too pleased to record their victory I would advise one and all to curb their enthusiasm until a little later when sterner opposition than the Wednesday will have to be met, for it has to be admitted that the Sheffielders were but poor opposition, and Everton’s handsome win may lead us into a trap.  Against The Wednesday the Everton boys played their true game, with the result that The Wednesday were outclassed.  in no single position could the latter boast a player who could be placed on the same level so that of his opponent, the only three men who showed any craft at all being Brown, who saved many goals; Kean, the centre half-back; and Wilkinson, a copper=headed outside left.  What could they do against a team which played as a team?  Nothing and the wonder was that they got off so lightly.  It was nothing more nor less than a battle between the Everton attack and The Wednesday defence, and so poor was the latter, save the goalkeeper, that the four goals’ win does not flatter.  Of course, there were errors.  Dean should have scored early on when a yard out, and Irvine should have netted instead of laying out the goalkeeper, but their errors were as nothing compared with those made by The Wednesday defenders, Blenkinsop and Felton, who at no time were confident.  They had their confidence shattered in the first twenty minutes when Everton forced them into errors by their relentless attack, but even when they had time they did not try and make use of the ball.  Kick it anywhere was their motto.  As against that Everton’s defence was top class.  Cresswell, in his new role of captain, was steadiness itself, and O’Donnell did not make a false step until the last minute, when he nearly let in Marsden, but one can wipe that miss out of the memory, for that one mistake cannot find a place in a mind full of good things.  The value of a strong half-back line was made patent.  Hart, Kelly, and Virr, as a trio, have never done better work.  They would not grant the opposition attack one solitary opportunity without a challenge and the poverty of that attack was the outcome of the three players mentioned watchfulness and ability.  They also backed up their own forwards to such an extent that Dean and his colleagues were able to move up quickly and in concerted fashion, so that The Wednesday defenders were often spread-eagled, and unable to offer a real resistance.  Of the five forward only Irvine failed to find the net, and it was only the goalkeeper’s body which barred his way.  The whole line played well.  Dean lead finely, and offered many scoring chances, Weldon played his best game, Forshaw was best in a constructional sense, and until he was injured Irvine was jogging along nicely at outside right, while Troup, with a wonderful goal, turned the game inside out.  It must be recalled that twenty-six minutes had gone without a goal being scored, despite Everton’s incessant onslaught.  Troup was at an atrocious angle when Dean plied the ball to him, and from the Press-box it seemed a physical impossibly to squeeze the ball into the narrowed spare.  Brown evidently thought it impossible for he did not expect a shot, but Troup’s drive sped into the net as straight as a die- the most remarkable goal I have seen for some time.  A minute elapsed, and Brown was defeated a second time by one of Weldon’s cannon-ball drives from at least twenty yards’ range. 

EVERTON SAME AGAIN
Liverpool Echo- Wednesday, August 31 1927
Bee’s Notes
Everton are due to meet Middlesbrough at Ayresome Park next Saturday and they have decided to rely on the side which defeated to rely on the side which defeated Sheffield Wednesday.  The team is; Taylor; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Irvine, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup. 

 

 

 

August 1927