Everton Independent Research Data
CAN EVERTON MAKE IT NINE TOMORROW?
December 2, 1938. The Evening Express
Chelsea Will Test Them
Londoners’ Former Anfield Star
By Pilot.
Everton will take the field against Chelsea at Goodison Park tomorrow holding the proud distinction of being the only side in the Football League with a 100 per cent home record. They have played eight games at the Walton enclosure and won them all. Opponents have scored three goals against them. Chelsea will include a player who once figured in the Everton “A” team, but was not retained and who became a £7,000 star, I refer to Alf Hanson, the former Liverpool outside left. Hanson is certain of a warm welcome from the Merseyside “fans.” I do not think Chelsea will prove good enough to break Everton’s record and spoil the longest run the local clubs have ever had, so far as home games without defeat are concerned. Chelsea are inconsistent. For instance, they beat Sunderland easily and then sacrificed six goals to Aston Villa. They have been strengthened by the acquisition of “Big Bob” Salmond, the former Portsmouth centre half, who can be relied on to keep a sharp eye on Tommy Lawton. However, to hold one player does not mean that Everton are held. They play together as a team, and this is the secret of their success. The Pensioners have won only one away game out of eight. It was at Bolton, where Hanson bagged the goals. They also gained a point by drawing at Middlesbrough. I look to the Blues to record their ninth successive win. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones (Tom), Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Everton play two games at Bellefield, West Derby, tomorrow. The “A” team oppose Wigan Athletic in a County Combination game, and the “B” team face Litherland Boys Club in the Bootle J.O.C. League.
CHELSEA HERE
December 2, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
Tomorrow we have Chelsea as visitors to Goodison Park. The Londoners started the season as though they were going to wipe away the stigma of being the music hall gagster team, but in recent times they have dropped into their old style, so that the comedians can again turn to them to create a laugh. Chelsea have had the men, aye, plenty of them, but they don’t seem to knit at Stamford Bridge. At all events, they have never touched a really high standard not even when they had such men as Alex Jackson, Hughie Gallacher, and other famous players in their ranks. What is the reason for it? Last season, and again this, they have been hit by injuries, but Leslie Knighton has never lost faith in his boys, and has been known to say “our time will come.” He bases his statement on the fact that he has some really smart colts in the backsground. But what is he going to do while these boys are fitting themselves for senior service? Mr. Knighton will bring with him tomorrow one of Merseyside’s own lads, Alf Hanson, who has paid for his transfer with some great goals. Leslie considers that Hanson is the best outside left in the country. He bars no one when making this statement. Other good club men are Mills and Woodley, the latter the automatic choice in goal, for England for many years to come unless, of course, he hits a sensational lapse. Everton have beaten every side which has paid them a visit this season, and it is hardly on the carpet that the variable and rather punchless Chelsea should come up here and accomplish something such as Brentford, Wolves, and others have failed to do. With their full team at their disposal I see no reason why Everton should not take a nice victory. They have Woodley to beat –but they are not all Woodleys in the Chelsea team. We will all welcome the return of Hanson for the day, although he is certain to be out to do his utmost to show Liverpool what they have lost, and to live up to Mr. Knighton’s considered opinion of him. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes.
EVERTON’S LATE RALLY
November 3, 1938. The Liverpool Football Echo
Ninth Victory At Goodison
Lawton Thrillers
By Stork
Not such an easy victory as the score would denote. It would have been much more convincing had Everton’s shooting been better. Late on that they decided to exploit the open game and shoot more frequently. Everton’s home record still stands unimpaired. Teams: - Everton: - Sagar, goal; Cook and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones (T), and Thomson (Captain), half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, and Boyes, forwards. Chelsea: - Woodley, goal; Barber and Smith, backs; Mitchell, Salmond, and Weaver, half-backs; Spence, Payne, Mills, Foss, and Hanson, forwards. Referee Mr. J. H. Parker (Derby). Chelsea had the ball in the Everton net in the first half minute. Payne nodding the ball into the goal just after the whistle had sounded for a foul on Cooke, Payne, it will be remembered, is the record-breaker with 10 goals in one match. This, of course was in his Luton Town days. He has done nothing like it since he has been with Chelsea. The ball would not travel an inch on this mud-pack so that it was not surprising many well-intended passes went wrong. Everton were inclined to run into off side positions, and this spoiled two good chances. Jones was responsible for one splendid bit of dribbling in the saving of his goal, and Sagar a little later had to adopt safety-first measures to kick away to prevent a Chelsea goal. There seemed to be an occasion under the new rule of charging when Salmond charged Gillick at the ball was going to Wodley’s hands. Stevenson ran clear of all opposition and elected to shoot but there was not sufficient power behind the heavy ball and Woodley saved.
Offside Trap
A neat bit of inter-passing between Thomson and Stevenson opened the way for another Stevenson shot. The power was behind this one but the ball travelled over the crossbar. The visitors defence played the offside trap with effect although the spectators did not care about it. Everton had the greater chances and when Boyes neatly tapped the ball into the goal area, Lawton with his left foot, just guided the ball the wrong side of the upright. Gillick made the best run of the match when he beat two men by clever footwork and then slipped the ball inside to Bentham who made his shot without a second’s hesitation and Woodley had to spring across his goal to turn the ball round the foot of the upright. Jones failed to stop Payne, and Sagar had to step in to the tussle to save the position momentarily. There was another opening, Spence, this time, shooting wide when he had the whole goal open to him. A three-piece suit between Bentham, Gillick and Stevenson was worthy of a goal, but Stevenson screwed the ball wide of the object. This brought a groan from the Everton spectators, for they had been led to believe that Everton’s moment had come.
Payne Hurt
Chelsea had given Everton a run for their money. The short passing game was of no use on such turf and almost on the interval Chelsea nearly snatched the lead, sheer good luck saving the Everton goal. Lawton was kept quiet by Salmond, yet he had bad luck when he made a down-header, Woodley pouncing on the ball in the nick of time. Payne was hurt and had to leave the field.
Half-Time, Everton 0, Chelsea 0.
Everton had commanded the game to such an extent during the first two minutes of the second half that goals should have been the natural outcome. How some of the chances were missed only the players themselves must know. Granted the ground was dreadful in the goal area, but that does not let the Everton forwards off. The chances were there and should have been taken, and had Everton scored at least three during the first ten minutes they would have had their just deserts.
Lawton’s Crasher
they pounded the Chelsea defence until it did not know whether it stood on its head or its heels, but that did not get Everton anywhere until the 12th minute when Lawton took Gillick’s clever back-heel pass and crashed the ball into the net. I doubt whether Woodley saw the ball until he went to the back of the net to retrieve it. It now looked as though Everton would put up a decent score card, for they had Chelsea well hammered down but a breakaway on the Pensioners’ left brought them an equaliser. Mills piled Hanson, who in turn put the ball back to his centre forward where shot was well wide of Sagar who could only stand and watch the ball travel into the net. We had not expected Chelsea to give Everton such a close run, but as Everton would persist in close passing they had to some extent only themselves to blame for not holding a commanding lead at the half stage. Stevenson could not get his shots going in his usual manner, and Lawton found Salmond a difficult proposition, Lawton however, needed mut a half chance at 76 minutes, and even the brilliantly Woodley could not keep the fiery drive out of the net. Lawton tried another one of a similar caliber, but this time the England goalkeeper, got his knuckles to the ball and punched it out. It went to Stevenson’s head, but it was not the little Irishman’s day, for he failed, the target. Stevenson, however, had done grand work in the field. A slip by Cook almost brought Chelsea an equaliser when Hanson centre right across the goalmouth and an Everton man, I think it was Thomson, scooped the ball over his crossbar. Everton altered their style of play in the late stages to a more open and sensible game, and with three minutes to go Gillick ran round Salmond as he had so often ran round Salmond as he had so often run round Smith and Weaver to beat Woodley with a shot across the goalmouth and hit the inside netting with Woodley nowhere about. One minute from time Salmond put his foot to a ball and by so doing put Stevenson onside. The Irishman took the ball close in to Woodley before he neatly tapped it over the line. Final Everton 4, Chelsea 1.
LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK AND TAPPINGS FROM MY TYPEWRITER
December 3, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Ranger
• Football could do with a few more men of the caliber of Sir Francis Joseph, president of Stoke City, who entertained the Everton directors, and accompanying Pressman when the Blues were at Stoke last week. In a chat I had with him after luncheon, Sir Francis expressed the opinion that the difference between First Division sides was becoming more finely cut each succeededing season. “No game today is a forgone conclusion, home or away” he said, and a lot depends on the twelfth man. Mr. Luck, Sir Francis is a big believer in the value of football as a “safety valve” for the working community, and he should know for few employers of labour get among their workpeople as he does. He has many a chat with his men on Monday morning about the previous Saturday’s game.
• I am indebted to Mr. W. Langley of Acreville Road, Bebington, who kindly sends me a cutting from a Canada paper forwarded to him by a relative there. Beneath a photograph is the caption “The hair is growing thin and the face a little lined, but Old Country Soccer, fans will have little difficulty in recognizing above the one and only Sam Chedgzoy, one of the most famous outside right English Soccer has ever known. His legs have slowed up a little, but the brain-work is still there, and Sam Chedgzoy is still a threat to opposing teams when he starts one of his weaving runs down the touchline.” And it is thirty years since Chedgzoy started his football career. His record is one of the most amazing in the history of the game. He is still with Carsteel in the Eastern section of the Canadian National Soccer League where he has been ever since he left America in 1930 and apparently is still going as strong as ever.
THESE HEAVY GROUNDS AND EVERTON “TERRIERS.”
December 3, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
All’s Well If They Can Clout The Bail
Ted Sagar’s Ten Seasons In Goal
By Stork.
Prior to the opening of the season I sounded a pessimistic note as to Everton’s prospects, but the view of what happened in the first half-dozen games those reasons seemed to have no foundation. The weak spots (even the most optimistic had to admit that they were greatly concerned about one or two places) became strong spots, and so all seemed well. It was Everton’s away successes that gave us to think most deeply, because for seasons their “out” record was one of the most miserable. To open a season with wins at Blackpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal was something they could pride themselves over, but came the day when an away match was lost. I was not unduly perturbed over that, for it was bound to come sooner or later. But I am perturbed over their string of defeats since that date. Not a single away game has been won since Huddersfield beat them on September 24th. What has come over the Everton team since then? Where has gone the will to win? They have been beaten by teams inferior to any of the three I have named. They are invincible at home, yet away they have become the Everton of old. It is difficult to find a reason. It’s no use dragging out the old argument. “We had all the play,” after the game has been lost. It cuts no ice, and gets us nowhere. Are the heavy grounds going to affect Everton’s light forward line? Tommy Lawton looks like a father among his forward colleagues. Not in age, but in physical bearing. It must be the smallest forward line Everton ever had which means that Lawton has to take the brunt of the knocks. When it comes to mud-plugging, these “wee” fellows while being equal, aye, very often the superior in a point of skill, are definitely at a great disadvantage with the big fellow. We are on the threshold of the “dark days,” when grounds are often lakes of mud, and the ball has to be “clouted” rather than daintily propelled to a partner. Naturally this takes greater toll of the smaller man. I am not suggesting that Everton forwards are weaklings because of their lack of inches, for they are well-built in body, but it stands to reason that the big fellow is an asset on mud-plugging days. “Look out here comes the Boss.” That usually sends us scuttering to our desks, but it does not send the Everton players dashing off for their training kit, for “the Boss” is Ted Sagar, and his name is but a nickname given to him by his club mates. Every player on the Everton books receives a nickname. There was Cresswell, who was known as “Scarce” Dean “The big fellow,” Greenhalgh “Rollicker,” Mercer “Legs” and so on. Sagar is one of the veterans of the Everton team, yet only a young man in years, for the team as made up today is almost a schoolboy eleven so that the name “Boss” does not come amiss to him. He is anything but a boss except where the opposition is concerned, and then he is often boss of the opposition forwards with his grand goalkeeping. As they say in racing parlance, Ted Sagar has “lovely hands.” See him grasp a flying ball and secure it like a slip cricketer. I know of no goalkeeper so secure in his fielding of cross-shot or an in-swinger, always a difficult ball to catch. He leaps like a cat and rarely errs in his judgment. Sagar is a spectacular goalkeeper. He is not the cool, calculating type of Sammy Hardy or Ted Taylor, but more like the electric Elisha Scott, the best goalkeeper in the world to my way of thinking. He has the same excitable nature as the Irishman and is never still in his goalmouth. It is that very factor which enables him to flash across his goal like a grasshopper. He is always on his toes, you see, so is rarely caught napping. Oh, yes he makes a mistake. The goalkeeper who doesn’t is not yet born. But as compared with his errors let us consider that many times he has stood defiant when all seemed to be lost. He came in March, 1929, from the Yorkshire club, Thorne Colliery, where he had made a great name for himself and had attracted many before Everton took him into their fold. He made his debut for Everton against Derby County on January 18, 1930, the season Everton were relegated, holds a League championship (1932) and Cup-winners (1933) medals, and was capped for England 1936. Coggins threatened to displace him, but Coggins broke a leg and it was only a question of time before Sagar got back. He has been in command under Everton’s crossbar for many seasons now and is likely to stay there. He has one proud boast. He thinks he is the only goalkeeper who has had all four cartilages taken from his knees. But it has not impaired his ability one iota. Ted has most of football’s honours. He is no mean bowler, for I have seen him deliver a nice wood more than once. His great rival in this respect is Nat Cunliffe.
EVERTON LEAVE IT LATE
Everton 4 Chelsea 1 (Game 1663 over-all)-(Div 1 1621)
December 5, 1938, Liverpool Daily Post
By Stork
Goal Rush in Closing Stages
For quite a long time Chelsea promised to walk away with a point from Goodison Park, which would have been ironical in that where others of greater ability had failed Cheslea should succeed. A draw seemed the most likely result up to the seventy-four minute. Not that it should have been on balance of play for Everton were definitely the more likely lot to score goals. It is some time since I saw Goodison Park so difficult to work. It was what is known in cricket circles as a ‘’sticky dog.’’ Tip-tapping methods were unsuitable for the occasion. For there was no run on the ball. It had to be propelled strongly if the ball was to travel any distance yet for quite a goodly portion of the game Everton played the green as through it was full of run.
Three goals in Fourteen Minutes.
They almost left it too late to change their methods but once they had decided that the open road was the correct one they swept through the Chelsea ranks at will, took 3 goals in 14 minutes and so took from Chelsea due praise for their stubborn resistance. The pensioners gave Everton more trouble than any other team to visited Goodison this season, not because they were a great danger near goal, but because their defence appeared capable of holding Everton’s attack until the latter’s late rush. There had been so little between the rival teams in the first half that one began to winder whether the ground would defeat all the shooters. True Everton should have had a number of goals in the first half with the chances that lay before them, but they were not hitting the mud-bespattered ball hard enough. Feet dragged in the mud, and passes went wrong yet the football was hard all through and Chelsea must have been preening themselves at the half stage in the knowledge that they had held this Everton team. Which had never failed to score at Goodison. At one time of day Everton revelled in the heavy going. On Saturday they did not tackle it correctly until the second half, and Chelsea’s defence had such a grueling in the first 10 minutes that it was amazing how their goals remained intact. Lawton up to the hour had been kept uncommonly quiet by Salmond. But his big shots were always dangerous. Three minutes later he got a chance and his shot sped like an arrow to the back of the net. Woodley did not see it.
A big goal appeared likely, for Everton had altered their type of game, but Mills restored the balance from Hanson’s centre and Chelsea actually got on top for a short spell. Another pile-driver by Lawton restored the lend, yet one could not feel satisfied even through Everton were now pummelising the Chelsea defence. Gillick’s Fine Display. Gillick, who had been the brightest forward on the field ran through to score a third for Everton, and Chelsea were done with. They could not stand the strain any longer, and within a minute of the end Stevenson the most unlucky shooter of the day was played onside by Salmond and ran close in before he slipped the ball beyond Woodlley. Everton’s victory looked convincing, but I would wager that the Everton officials had more anxious moments during the game than any other. It was Lawton’s crack jack shots which turned the tables and set Everton on a winning path, but for that all too long we were kept waiting. Three goals were scored in the last 14 minutes, a great finish no doubt, and one which sent the spectators away quite pleased with their side. But everyone admitted a feeling that Everton were going to lose their proud home boast. Gillick’s display was excellent: his best ever. I should think. He gave Weaver and Smith a sound beating by his clever ball control, and Bentham produced some clever football to help him. Lawton wanted only a half-chance. It was some time before he got it, and then he showed what a grand shooter he is. Stevenson was luckless in his shooting, but his midfield play was sound. Boyes was not as lively as he should have been, pitted against a rather slow back in Barber.
Strong Half-Backs.
The half-back line, particularly Mercer and Jones had a good day, and Greenhalgh was the better back. Sagar had not a lot to do, and the goal which beat him seemed to be deflected away from him by a colleague. Twice Chelsea had the ball in the net to have the goal disallowed for infringement, but Chelsea, had no great power in front of goal. Payne and Mills were the best of the line. Salmond is still a powerful centre half-back, and I like Weaver but Barber and Smith could not hold Everton attack in the late stages. Woodley did excellent work in the Chelsea goal. Result Everton 4, Chelsea 1.
Everton, Sagar, goals, Cook, and Greenhalgh, backs, Mercer, Jones (tg) and Thomson (captain) half-backs, Gillick, Bentham Lawton, Stevenson, and Boyes, forwards, Chelsea, Woodley, goal, Barber, and Smith, backs, Mitchell, Salmond, and Weaver, half-backs Spence, Payne, Mills, Foss and Hanson, forwards, Referee Mr. J.R. Parker (Derby) attendance, 27, 959
CENTRAL LEAGUE
Birmingham Reserves 1 Everton Reserves 3
December 5, 1938 Liverpool Daily Post
Central League (Game 17)
Everton played brilliant football at Birmingham. Bell leading a fine attack skillfully, Sharp missed an easy chance and Birmingham took the lead through Duckhouse after 15 minutes. Morton saved finely from Morris and Kendrick during Sharp attack, Bell eluded the home defence, before the interval enabling Cunliffe to equalised. In the second half Everton outplayed Birmingham. Merritt and Bell keeping the defence at full strength. Bell headed a leading goal after 80 minutes and followed with a third five minutes later. Gee and Jones were sounded defenders and Milligan a good attacking half-back. Bell was the outstanding man in the match. Everton team:- Morton goal, Jackson, and Jones backs, Britton, Milligan, and Gee (captain) half-backs, Barber, Cunliffe, Bell , Sharp, and Davies (j), forwards.,
LIVERPOOL COUNTY LEAGUE
Everton ‘’A’’7 Wigan Athletic Reserves 0
December 5, 1938 The Liverpool Daily Post
At west Derby. Barber opened the score after 10 minutes. This being the only goal in the first half. In the latter portion Catterick (2) Barber, Lindley Griffiths and Lambert (Penalty) scored. Sutton was outstanding in the visitors defence.
EVERTON’S TIMELY TACTICS CHANGE
December 5, 1938 Evening Express.
Open Game Foils Chelsea Dib
By Watcher.
Who is to stop Everton at Goodison Park? It looked at one time as though Chelsea might do so on Saturday, for they were the first team to prevent the Blues scoring in the first half at home this season, but when Everton found that swinging the ball about was most profitable than close passing the Londoners were completely outplayed. In the end it would not have been surprising if Everton had won by a bigger margin than their did 4-1. Chelsea provided the strongest opposition seen at Goodison this season. They quickly realized pretty football was out of the question. They halves were magnificent, feeding the forwards with grand long passes, and constantly incepting the short passes of the Everton. Had Chelsea been as strong, even the work of the brilliant Sagar would have been unavailing. Several times Welsh International Tommy Jones had to nip back, to help the hard pressed backs. Chelsea, however, lacked a real marksman. Mills was their lone scorer and secured the goal following grand work by Alf Hanson, the former Liverpool winger. Everton did not show their real power until the second half, when tactics were changed, and for long periods Woodley was kept busy fisting over the bar or snatching the ball almost from the toes of the Everton forward. Lawton received little change from Salmond in the first half, but was a different proposition after the interval. His opening goal, after 57 minutes was scored with a crashing drive which left Woodley helpless. After Chelsea had scored during a breakaway, Lawton repeated his earlier effort, and in the closing stages Stevenson and Gillick scored with shots from different angles. Lawton showed his team spirit by giving Stevenson the chance to score when he himself looked certain of securing the hat-trick.
FALSE IMPRESSION
December 5, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
Those who were not at Goodison and had to stand on the newspaper result would think that Everton had little difficulty in beating Chelsea, for a 4-1 victory looks convincing enough, but it was one of the hardest battles Everton have had this season at Goodison Park. For an hour not a single goal had been scored, and the way things were going there was little promise of any, for the muddy nature of the playing area was upsetting things. It is some time since the Everton ground was so sticky, and Everton fell into the fault of trying to play their normally clever football on a ground which did not lend itself to such finery. It was an occasion for the big strong pass; a day when the win should have been exploited to the full for the wingers had the best turf to work on. Everton always looked like winners and should have had the issue safe at the half stage, but their shooting was not sure, and their penchant for keeping the ball too close played into the hand of the Chelsea defenders, who looked better than they were. Late on their limitations were fully exposed when Everton changed their tactics, swept the ball about more and crushed their opponents out of the picture. It took Everton over an hour to see the folly of their ways, and even after Lawton had slipped home a thriller Chelsea were not snuffed out. They took an equaliser through Mills, and promised to hold it. Their defence was hammered pretty severely but Woodley suffered no further damage until Lawton kept quiet up to then, slapped in another unstoppable shot, and then Everton rose in their might, and completely routed the Chelsea defence. Smith and Weaver could not hold the Gillick-Bentham wing, the former finishing off a great day’s play with a nice goal. This was Gillick’s best ever. He had all the artifice of Matthew’s; in fact, more effective, and Bentham some clever touches to match his partner’s good play. Stevenson had been the unluck shooter of the day. He could not get true direction and must have missed three goals before he took one close on time. The Irishman’s midfield play however, was as good as ever. I thought Boyes would have a happy time against old man Barber, nowadays chopped for speed, but the outside left had only moderate innings. Everton finished the game in blaze which made their victory look immerise, but only we who were present to see what happened full reaslised how near Everton were to having their unbeaten record tarnished. Chelsea’s attack lacked punch, even though they had the ball in the net on two other occasions. The Everton half back line was often the reason for Sagar’s immunity from shots, for Mercer-Jones and Thomson handled the Chelsea attack most effectively. Greenhalgh was the better back.
EVERTON SAME AGAIN
December 7, 1938, Liverpool Daily Post,
By John Peel
For the third week in succession the Everton team, chosen last night to face Preston North End at Deepdale, show no changes.
EVERTON MAKE NO CHANGES FOR SATURDAY.
December 7, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes.
Choosing the team at Goodison Park these days is almost as easy as shelling peas, and so long as the side continue to rake in the points and injuries do not complicate things the directors will not get headaches over this part of their job. For the fourth time in succession Everton say “As you were,” so that the team which meets Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday again reads: - Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. The Reserves side to meet West Bromwich Albion at Goodison Park is: - Morton; Prescott, Jones; Britton, Gee, Milligan; Sweeney, Cunliffe, Bell, Sharp, Davies.
EVERTON HAVE NO OFFICIAL WORD OF PROPOSED SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR.
December 8, 1938, The Liverpool Echo.
Ranger’s Notes.
Mr. Theo Kelly, the Everton secretary, tells me the club has had no word from South Africa regarding a proposal that they should tour that country in 1940. Publicity has been given to a statement by Mr. Barbour, honorary secretary of the South African F.A, that after the trip this coming summer of the England side which is going out there, the Union has still greater plans for the following year, and will seek to fix up simultaneous tour by famous English and Scottish clubs –probably Everton and Hearts. Everton know no more about the matter than appears in the papers. So far no suggestion has been put to them from the other side, though there is ample time yet, of course. As a matter of fact, the Everton board has not yet seriously considered two offers which have been made to it for tours for the coming summer, so would be hardly likely to commit themselves to something 12 month’s later still. The offers for the summer of 1939 relate to possible trips to Scandinavia and Germany.
EVERTON’S DEEPDALE BATTLE.
December 9, 1938. Evening Express
By Pilot.
One of the most potent attacks in the First Division in opposition to one of the finest defences in the country. This is the duel which will be staged at Deepdale tomorrow, when Everton meet Preston North End. If the Everton forwards can reproduced their Goodison Park effectiveness they will not suffer defeat. North End are a fine defensive force, but are lacking in thrust in attack. They have scored only 23 goals this season –in 17 matches. In midfield they are good –classic in approach as a matter of fact –but they seem to fail when they reach the penalty area. The match should produce one of the best games of the day, and even partial success for the Blues should enable them to further close the gap between themselves and the leaders, Derby County, who have a hard task at Leicester. Everton: - Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Preston North End: - Holdcroft; Gallimore, Beattie (A); Shankly, Batey, Milne; McGibbons, Mutch, Dougal, Beattie (R), O’Donnell.
Vital Match.
Everton “A” engage in a vital Liverpool County Combination match. They oppose Skelmersdale United, at Skelmersdale. Everton lead the table and “Skem” lie second. Two points separate the clubs, but the United have a match in hand. A victory for the United tomorrow would place them in a happy position. There is some doubt, about the constitution of the Blues’ attack, and it is possible that Lindley will be given a run at inside left. Everton “A” (from); Lovett; Lambert, Saunders; Wyles, Edwards, Davies (JW); Barber, J. Dean, Catterick, Lindley, F. Griffiths, S. Simmons, H. Roberts. Everton “B” oppose St. Joan’s Boys Club in a Bootle J.O.C. League game at Bellefield, West Derby.
Throstles At Goodison.
West Bromwich Albion will be at Goodison Park tomorrow against Everton Reserves for Central League points. With the Throstles now in the Second Division, this will be their only visit to the Walton enclosure this term –unless Cup luck throws the clubs together. Everton are giving a further trial to the amateur outside right, Sweeney, who made such a promising debut against Manchester United a fortnight ago. Everton Reserves: - Morton; Prescott, Jones (Jack); Britton, Gee, Milligan; Sweeney, Cunliffe, Bell, Davies (Joe).
EVERTON’S BIG CHANCE.
December 9, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By stork.
It is years since Everton won a game at Deepdale, the home of Preston North End, too many to think about, really, but there is a chance that the sequence will be broke tomorrow. It is not encouraging to knew that Everton have not won on any away ground since September 24, when they fell at Huddersfield, and I also knew that Preston North End have not been beaten on their own ground this season. But quite a number of their games have been drawn, due to the lack of punch in the Cup holders’ forward line. What has come over Preston? This time last year they were acknowledged the best team in the county. Their football was superlative, and the power of their attack was one of the reason for their success. The self same attack has scored 23 goals in all matches as against Everton’s 37 for the same number of games this season, so you see that I have some justification for thinking that Everton have an opportunity of beating Preston.
Last Year’s Game.
The game between the pair last season was one of the finest seen on the ground, and Everton were distinctly unfortunate to lose both points. Don’t forget that Lawton had a perfectly good goal disallowed early on in the game, and the final score was 2-1 in favour of Preston. The North End are missing Smith, the centre half back, one of the best in the country. Batey is filling the breach with credit, but he is not a Smith. I look to Lawton having a good day, for he will be at a decided advantage physically with Bately, but what is more important Smith is a great header of a ball and could dominate the middle with his heading ability alone. Lawton found him a great obstacle in his path, a much more formidable one than Batey. Everton’s defence is quite as good as Preston’s, while on this season’s showing the Everton forwards are much more virile when it comes to shooting. The North End have been accused of too much cleverness. They have been the better team very often in midfield, but near goal they have lost their snap. Should the ground be heavy I would entreat Everton to keep the play open. A week ago they almost threw the game away by trying to play they normally clever football on turf which was not amenable to chose passing.
The Will To Win.
I hope they have learned their lesson. If the ground is firm them by all means adapt themselves to it, if it is soft, and it is almost sure to be, then the open game must be the one. A win at Deepdale will be of immense value and it can be accomplished if the team get down to strictly business as they did in the early days of the season, when Blackpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa were made to bite the dust before their own spectators. The North End have chosen the same team for the ninth successive time. Everton: - Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Preston North End: - Holdcroft; Gallimore, Beattie (A); Shankly, Batey, Milne; McGibbons, Mutch, Dougal, Beattie (R), O’Donnell (H).
LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK AND TAPPINGS FROM BY TYPEWRITER.
By Ranger.
• Mr. W. B. Smith, joint secretary of the Liverpool Sunday Union Football League, writes me with reference to a note I gave a fortnight ago regarding Skelmersdale F.C, which I suggested was one of the eldest junior clubs in this area. Skelmersdale has been going since 1882, but apparently it is not the oldest. Mr. Smith says: - “I was particularly interested as I have always taken pride in the fact that until recently we had four of the oldest amateur clubs in the district in our organization, these being Linacre Bible Class, Windsor Wesleyan, Queen’s Road Mission, and Hamilton Mission. Unfortunately, the first two have been beaten by old age, but Queen’s Road Mission and Hamilton Mission are still very active for their age. The Queen’s Road club, if not actually the doyen of them all, must surely be one of the most hoary old veterans in the local amateur football world. It was founded in 1879, and is, therefore three years older than Skelmersdale and a really remarkable fact is that their President Mr. George Carruthers, has held office ever since. Mr. Carruther’s memory carries him back to the days when the Everton club, founded, as everyone knows, in a nearby church, and with a pitch in Stanley Park, used to borrow players from the Mission to make up their own depleted ranks. In later times Harry Makepeace joined Everton from Queen’s Road Mission, and the Mission were rewarded later with a cheque for, I believe £25, Good value. Can this record -59 years –be beaten? The Hamilton Mission Club is pretty well as venerable as Queen’s Road, but date is hard to get, and at the moment I have none to offer. Linacre Bible Class and Windsor Wesleyan used also to claim to be our “oldest inhabitant,” but they have both now been laid to rest. Tom Flowers, the Notts and Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper is a comparatively recent product of the last-named club.” I am obliged to Mr. Smith for his latter, which will no doubt revive interesting memories among those who knew these clubs in their early days. Sunday school and Church organizations figured prominently in the football of half a century ago. Everton as everybody knew sprang from such a beginning, and many other of the outstanding professional clubs of today began in similar humble fashion. Perhaps a few of the veterans can advance something which beats Queen’s Road Mission’s record of 59 years. It will take some doing!
• George “B” writes; “I enjoyed your remarks re the old-time players, for I have been a follower of Everton for 53 years, and remember them playing in Stanley Park. The first Everton team I paid to see was Joliffe (goal); Dick and Dobson (Backs); Corey, Gibson and Higgins (halves); Fleming, Briscoe, Richards, Farmer, and Costley (Forwards). This team played well and hard for the full ninety minutes, and although I have been many celebrated players in their colours since, none of them have given me such pleasure as these. George Farmer I consider the finest inside left I have ever seen, and Farmer, Dick and old Mike Higgins, with clever Billy Briscoe, to my mind laid the foundation of success of the Everton club, under the captaincy of George Dobson. “If living now, these players should not be forgotten by the wealthy Everton club, and I am sure if any of the supporters of the old days are about they will confirm my remarks. Re the international team, I would pick Sutcliffe; Williams (West Bromwich); Crabtree (Villa); Reynolds, Holt, Needham; Athersmith, Davey, John Goodall, Chadwick, Spikesley. Farmer beening a Welshman, would not be eligible, John Goodall was the best centre forward I have seen. I hope some other old boys will give their views.”
EVERTON WIN AT DEEPDALE
December 10, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
Lawton Decides Grim Struggle.
Many Missed Chances
By Stork.
Preston North End’s unbeaten home record has gone. A goal by Lawton six minutes from the end was the cause. It was a game of missed chances; some good football on a mud patch. A splendid away victory by Everton, who have not won on foreign ground since September 10. Teams: - Everton: - Sagar, goal; Cook and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones and Thomson (captain), half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes, forwards. Preston North End: - Holdcroft, goal; Gallimore and Beattie (A), backs; Shankley, Batey and Milne, half-backs; McGibbons, Mutch, Dougal, Beattie (R), and O’Donnell (H), forwards. Referee Mr. G. Hewitt (St. Helens). This game at Deepdale was of immense interest to both sides for a win would do much for both Everton and Preston. Last year the game was one of the best seen at the ground, and the 25,000 were hoping for a repeat order today. There were no changes in the advertised teams, the North End playing the same eleven for the ninth successive time. The sun was shinning brilliantly but the ground was as soft as putty, the marks of the players’ boots being plainly discernible as they walked on to the field. A week ago Everton failed to realize the need for the wide swinging pass on Goodison’s glue pot, but they had apparently learned their lesson, for they kept the Preston defence on its toes by the way their swung the ball from man to man with great judgment, the play on the right wing being particularly good. So far Lawton had not had a great deal of opportunity, but when he did run round the North End defence he surprised everyone by his amazing turn of speed and the power of his shot. It had a shade too much left on it, and the ball went over the crossbar. A free kick given against Everton just outside the penalty line brought a save by Sagar when he tipped Milne’s free kick over his bar, but the corner kick like so many of them, produced nothing of any account. Hereabouts North End showed a little more punch, but there was their old failing of finesse.
Running In Circles.
If one wanted a true example as to how Preston ran themselves dizzy by running in circles, they had only to see one move when the whole five forwards were slap bang in front of the Everton goal, tapping the ball from one to the other till eventually an Everton man had to clear it. It was just after this that Preston almost took a goal. Mutch shot across the face of the Everton goal and Beattie (R), made a valiant effort to turn the ball round the inside of the post.
Gillick Loses Chance.
Everton should have had a goal, but for once in a way Gillick was selfish. He picked up a false clearance by Beattie (A), who left him with the simple task of pushing the ball across to the waiting Lawton not more than 5 yards from goal, with Holdctroft well out of position. Gillick decided, however, to try a shot from a really desperate angle, and he spooned the ball over the bar, much to the annoyance of the Everton fans. Sagar at this stage was kept busy, and with the chances Preston had he should have been beaten more than once. A little roughness crept into the game. Lawton often found a Preston defender running in front of him to steal the centres intended for him.
Half-Time Preston N.E. 0, Everton 0.
Great Shot And Great Save.
The second half was just as hard fought as the previous half had been. Everton opened full of bite, and Boyes twice went close, once with head and one with foot, but the best save of the game thus far was credited to Holdcroft, who simply had to fly across his goal and dive full length to prevent a Gillick shot sneaking inside the post. It was a great bit of work by the Everton forward and the Preston goalkeeper. Preston were still remiss in front of goal, and Beattie (R.) brought a groan round the ground when he was offered a gift goal by O’Donnell, but scooped the ball over the crossbar. How such chances were missed I cannot tell you. Even allowing for the heavy ground it only needed steadiness and a cool head to have produced a welter of goals. Gillick tried to plough his way through, and finished with a shot that sped past the upright. An offside decision against Everton held up what promised well –but we had a lot of promises without them being fulfilled so the battle went on with each striving their hardest for a goal, probably a winning goal, for both defences were particularly sound. Batey had played a grand game against Lawton, and another Preston man who took the eye was Milne. Lawton, however, did once get clear of the centre half and clear of everyone. He elected to shoot too far out when he should have gone on another six yards. He missed what to him is normally a certain goal. North End were very persistent, and Sagar had to save one or two long distance drives, but they were not of the caliber to cause the Everton goalkeeper any serious concern. The Preston right wing had a poor game and the Everton left-winger. Boyes was inclined to put too much power behind his forward passes which made them a gift to Holdcroft.
Lawton Nods The Winner.
With six minutes remaining to play Everton took an unexpected lead. The goal emanated from a throw-in taken by Gillick and instead of Bentham returning the pass to the thrower, as is usual he swept the ball into the Preston goalmouth, and the North End defence was so much of position that Lawton was able to calmly nod the ball into goal. Mutch almost got an equaliser within the next minute, but Lawton’s goal not only carried the victory but spoiled Preston North End’s home record, for North End had not been beaten here this season. Final Preston North End 0, Everton 1.
LIFT THE BALL ON MUD-PATCHES, EVERTON!
December 10, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
Changing The Style
Power Of Tom Lawton’s shot
By Stork.
Everton’s small forward line found the heavy going at Goodison Park a definite handicap against Chelsea, so much so that they were almost on the verge of losing their proud home record. They have never been so close to it before this season, and it was not that Chelsea were especially good. With heavy grounds ahead of them the Everton team must get it imprinted in their minds that different tactics must be employed. The game they play on firm turf will not do when the ground is inches deep in mud. The open game is the one for “mud patches.” They saw that over-elaboration was not suitable after an hour’s play, and altered their style. But must it take them an hour to get the feel of the green? I should think not. All’s well that ends well. Their home record remains unspoiled. But, oh dear, what a relief when Lawton cracked home his two goals! Everton cannot afford to drop a single point at Goodison Park in view of the fact that they are losing their away games. When Everton paid a matter of £7,000 for a seventeen-year-old centre forward to fill the place of Dean, they took a tremendous risk, for this boy was expected to fill the boots of the greatest centre forward this country has ever known. But those who took the risk and signed Tommy Lawton have been fully repaid for their long-sightedness. Who could foreseen that this boy would he the top scorer of his division in his first season with the club, and in his first season be the automatic choice for England in all her international matches. I say all, for I fully expect Lawton to be at Hampton Park against Scotland. Lawton is one of the nicest young fellows of my acquaintance. Not the slightest sign of “edge” about him, and even at the tender age of nineteen he has received enough hero worship to have turned his head if he had been built that way. Lawton is level-headed, open to accept advice if it comes from the right quarter. He does not “know it all,” as so many young player do when they are drafted into the first team, and my only hope is that he will remain like that until the end of his football days. There are few honours left open to this lad with the big shots in his boots. A cup medal and a League championship are about the only two remaining, and, being but nineteen years old, there is simple time for him for him to add these to his collection of caps. I was asked the other day if there ever had a more powerful shot in football. Well, my mind instantly flew of Chadwick, also of Everton. He could punch them home, but I don’t think his shooting was any harder than Lawton’s. Lawton has hit some marvelous goal this season, ask the goalkeepers who had to pick ‘are out of the net. He believes that to have shot and missed in better than not to have shot at all. His rise to fame has been meteoric, for only a couple of years ago he was playing in Burnley’s “A” and Reserves teams, at which he was employed in the Burnley F.C office waiting the time when he could become a professional. He was office boy when he first played in Burnley first team, and scored the only “hat-trick” of his career in his first game against Tottenham Hotspur. He dearly wants to do a “hat-trick” for Everton. His football career started at Fold Road Central School, Bolton, after which he stepped right into big football, but Burnley brought him along quietly. None of his family ever played professionally, but his uncles were terribly enthusiastic fans. Since he came to Everton he has improved tremendously. A willing listener, he has had the advice of some of the best football brains in the county, and is not slow to learn. He soon realized that he was to be a closely watched man, so has wisely decided to slip out to the wings to get away from the “policeman.” Lawton is not the marvelous header of a ball like “Dixie” but with his feet he is amazingly quick for a big fellow. He has no need to “deaden” or get the ball down to his liking. It can come to him any old how. He seems to be able to hit em no matter how they come to him. He has every belief in the power of his shot, and those who have been his shooting can see how a goalkeeper is beaten, even though the ‘keeper makes contact. Some of his shots must have skinned the goalies knuckles. A cleaner player than Tommy Lawton could not wish to see. He does not rush at goalkeepers, and he takes the bumps without any retaliation. It is his ambition to play against Scotland, and be one of the touring team to go to South African. I hope he gets his wish. Cricket is the second love. When he was at Burnley he played for the town club. He said “I thought I could play cricket when I was at Burnley, But I found out that I was only a poor hand at it when I came to Liverpool. Tommy wants me to deny a story that got about after England’s game with Wales, when he was up against his clubmate, Tommy Jones. It was reported that they signed a pact not to be rough with one another. “My pal and I had no such understanding. We played against each other just as we would against anyone else. We were playing for our country, and if we could beat each other we did so.” Lawton considers his best game was against the Scottish League at Wolverhampton, and he did not score that day. He has a great admiration for George Hall, and the wonderful fighting spirit of the Welsh boys. He joined Everton on December 31, 1936, and made his debut against Wolverhampton on February 13, 1937. So far he has scored 57 goals -28 League goals last season, 17 this, 10 in representative games, and 2 in friendlies. Here a good one! As I was showing Lawton round the work’s chap came running up to me and asked for 2s 6d. What for?” I answered. “We are having a whip-round to buy Lawton for Tranmere Rovers.” Need I say the joker was a Birkenhead man?
STUD MARKS
December 10, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Louis T. Kelly.
• Everton, it is said, think well, of Lavery the Glentoran inside forward.
• That great goal record-breaking centre forward, Bert Freeman, cost Everton a mere £350 transfer fee!
• Wolves were the first visiting club to capture two points at Deepdale and Everton the second. This in long ago 1889.
GREAT BATTLE IN THE MUD
Preston North End 0 Everton 1 (Game 1664 over-all)-(Div 1 1622)
December 12 1938 Liverpool Daily Post
By Stork
For some reason Preston North End have lost the art of shooting and that was why they lost their unbeaten home record to Everton at Deepdale on Saturday. They had more scoring chances than their visitors but threw them away. It was a bit of quick thinking on the part of Bentham and Gillick which brought Everton their first away success since September 10, for had this pair followed out the usual course of the thrown in I doubt whether the North End defence would have been caught napping as it was. A throw in is usually an orthodox affair the ball is thrown to a colleague who promptly pushes the ball back to the thrower. The opposition knows what to expect and prepares itself for such a contingency, but in this case there was a difference, and it completely put the Preston defence right out of joint. Bentham took the throw in and Gillick instead of doing the expected hooked the ball quickly into the goalmouth and Lawton calmly headed the ball beyond Holdcoft to win the game. We in the press box had decided that a goalless draw would be the ultimate result, for neither side looked like scoring at such a late stage. Every one of the 22 players must have been leg weary after their hard tussle on a ground covered with two inches of mud. It had been a man’s game, and I congratulate both teams on producing such a grand battle. The football in the circumstances was uncommonly good. One side matched the other in point of skill, but Everton were undoubtedly more incisive near goal.
Preston’s Failing.
Preston must mend their ways. They are still good footballing side, but near goal they were hopeless. They ran round in circles when a shot was needed and when the did elect to shoot they could not find a mark. In this way they missed at least four reasonable chances which suggest a lack of confidence. Mutch and Beattie (R) were great sinners in this respect. Everton, too, missed some chances, but not nearly so many as their opponents. Despite the fine play of Bately’ Lawton was always a menace. He would have had a goal in the first half, had Gillick pushed the ball inside to him instead of trying a shot from an atrocious angle. He nearly had one when he ran round Bately and grazed the crossbar with a fiery drive. His best chance however, came in the second half, when he was right through the defence. He shot too quickly and from too far out. He could have gone another half a dozen yards and made certain, but his belief in his shooting failed him for once in a way. It was a magnificent tussle. No quarter was asked or given, and I don’t think one single person left the ground until the final whistle, which proves beyond all doubt that the game was holding the interest. I should think it was. At any moment a goal might come: it only needed one to win the game, and the scene of action changed so rapidly that one could not foretell what would happen. Bately and Lawton. Everton were perhaps a shade to win. Everton were perhaps a shade lucky to win. When one recalls Preston’s failure in front of goal but they certainly did not deserve to lose, for if the opposition cannot take their chances they have only themselves to blame.
Both defences were strong.
Batey had a great game against Lawton, and Milne and Shankly made up a fine, but for the matter the Everton middle line was its best. Jones was as solid as a rock in the middle, and Mercer near gave away an inch. Preston’s right wing could do nothing, and Everton’s left wing was only slightly better for Boyes put too many passes to Holdcroft. But who is going to criticize any player on such a day? They did their best under trying conditions. Everton had learned the value of the open game, and in the first 15 minutes were brilliant, making the cup-holders look moderate. A week ago their close passing on a middy turf almost proved their undoing. On Saturday they straight away adapted themselves to the conditions, sweeping the ball fancy work, which brought them their first home defeat. Result Preston North End 0 Everton 1. Preston North End:- Holdcroft, goal, Gallimore, and Beattie (a), backs, Shankly, Bately and Milner Half-backs , McGibbons, Mutch, Dougal Beattie (r), and O’Donnell (h) forwards. Everton Sagar, goal, Cook, and Greenhalgh backs, Mercer, Jones (TG) and Thomson (captain) half-backs, Gillick, Bentham Lawton, Stevenson and Boyes forwards. Referee Mr. G. Hewitt (St Helens), attendance, 26,549
CENTRAL LEAGUE
Everton Reserves 2 West Bromwich Albion Reserves 0
December 12, 1938, Liverpool Daily Post
Central League (Game 18)
Everton were worthy of their win by means of two second half goals by Cunliffe an Bell, but if Albion had taken their chances it might have been a different story. Morton played well in goal, and Jones and Jones was the better back. Gee, and Britton were the best halves Sweeney and Cunliffe were a clever wing, and the former responded well to his partner’s openings. Saunders was a capable goalkeeper for the visitors, and was well covered by the backs Basset and Kinsell. Gripton was a clever pivot, but the forwards were remiss in front of goal. Everton team, Morton, goal, Prescott, and Jones (je) backs Britton, Gee (captain), and Milligan, half-backs, Sweeney Cunliffe, Bell, Sharp, and Davies (j), forwards.
Placed 3, play 18, won 11, lost 4, drew 3, for 33 against 30 points 25
LIVERPOOL COUNTY LEAGUE
Skelmersdale United 4 Everton ‘’A’’ 2
December 12, 1938 Liverpool Daily Post
A recovery by Skelmersdale, who were 2 goals down at one time, deservedly earned their 2 points at Skelmersdale. Roberts scored 2goals. Just before the interval Pilling reduced the arrears, and on resuming McLoughlin equalised. Wilson (Penalty) and Tindsley scored further goals for the United. Who were well served by Briscoe Wilson Fairclough and R White. Everton’s best were Lovett, Lambert, Davies and Dean.
EVERTON KEEP IN STEP WITH DERBY
December 12, 1938. Evening Express
Blues Playing Like Champions
By Pilot.
Everton are keeping hot on the trial of the Football League championship. Their brilliant 1-0 victory over Preston North End, at Deepdale on Saturday, enabled them to keep pace with non-stop Derby County. The Blues are two points behind the leaders, but they a game in hand –an away game, by the way. If they can continue in stride for the next two matches, what a wonder game it will be at Goodison Park on Boxing Day, when Derby County provide the opposition! On this Preston form I can see no reason why Everton should not draw level with the County. They are at home to Charlton Athletic and Blackpool in successive weeks. These games should give them full points. The Country have a harder programme ahead. They are at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday –not an easy match that –and the following week they have to visit Wolverhampton Wanderers who have won six games right off the reel –following a renewal of the gland treatment! I shall not be surprised if, when Everton and Derby get to grips, it is the Blues who are leading the First Division. Certain it is that these clubs will enter the field as the two leading clubs, for no others can overtake them! If Everton adapt themselves to heavy conditions as well as they did at Preston conditions as well as they did at Preston they will win. It was adaptability and staying power which enabled the lads to record their first away win since Sept 10 and for the second successive away match prevent a goal against them. Everton gave Preston an object lesson in quick, incisive football, and Lawton experienced bad luck in not taking an early goal. North End had their spells, but throughout the Blues were the dictators and the men who could exploit the correct tactics in the circumstances. Not once were Everton ruffled, and throughout they played good football. They achieved their object too, with each individual and each department working together splendidly. True, the right wing captured more of the glamour, but when Boyes was called on the responded well. The persistence of the half-backs laid the foundations for the win. Tom Jones was the best man in the field. His anticipation was brilliant. Withal he contrived to use the ball to the best advantage –and what a feat on this muddy ground. Mercer was the tenacious tackler and forceful intermediate, and Thomson blotted Mutch right out of the game. Cook kept a sharp watch on Preston’s most dangerous forward –O’Donnell. He played right on top of the winger, just as Greenhalgh played on Matthews at Stoke. Greenhalgh seemed to have one of his easiest games, so perfect was his positional play and deadly his intervention. Behind them, Sagar was well Sagar. Lawton and Gillick took the honours in attack. Gillick did miss one good chance, but he landed the centre from which Lawton headed the vital winner six minutes from time, and always had the beating of his fellow Scottish international, Andy Beattie. Lawton was opposed to a grand pivot in Batey, but it generally took more than one to watch him, and Stevenson and Bentham were untiring in their efforts to get the line working well. Yes, a grand Everton win this, for North End were a highly-accomplished side in midfield, where one could always see the power of Shankly.
HARD WORK DID IT.
December 12, 1938. The Liverpool Echo.
By Stork.
How many goals are scored through a throw-in. Not many I will wager because they are too orthodox. They follow the same line to such an extent that the opposition is prepared to meet the one-way move. Yes it was from a throw-in that Everton got the goal which ruined Preston’s home record. There were six minutes to go with neither side likely to score, when Everton got a throw-in on the right wing. We naturally expected the usual happening, the half-back sauntering up and throwing to a colleague who would automatically tap it back to the thrower, a plan which every defence is swarp of. The procedure was unexpectedly changed, for when Bentham took the throw-in, Gillick straightaway hooked the ball into the goalmouth and with the defence centred on the right flank, Lawton deliberately headed the ball beyond Holdcroft. The Preston attack, which was so great a part of their team last year has lost art of scoring. Had they been able to shoot they could have won this game for well though the Everton defence played there were t least four occasions when it needed but a little confidence and steadiness on the part of Mutch, and Roberts Beattie to have brought success. They often had the ball in the penalty area, but would pass it, which was rank folly on two inches of mud. They must learn their lesson, just as Everton have done from their experience against Chelsea. Everton were brilliant during the first fifteen minutes, Lawton had hard lines with a great shot which almost knocked the whitewash off the crossbar. Then Gillick erred in his judgment when he shot when all that was needed was a short pass to Lawton to have made a goal certain. But among these misses one must not forget the one of Mutch and Beattie and other Preston players. They must still be wondering how they came to fail with the simple chance. Dougal was snuffed out by Tommy Jones, and when O’Donnell came into the middle he fared up better. It was the half back work all round that throttled down the forwards, for the Everton trio were not one whit behind their Preston rivals in their tackling and purveying. Having withstood the opposition attack for so long a goalless draw seemed a certainty until that little bit of “smart practice” pulled the trick for Everton. Batey put up a magnificent fight against Lawton, who was ever a menace and had not Holdcroft been fleetfooted, Gillick would have beaten him with a low shot –which the former Everton keeper stopped at the base of the upright. Gillick was again in great form, but Boyes and Stevenson were rather quiet.
NO CHANGES AGAINST CHARLTON ATHLETIC
December 14, 1938 Daily Post
By John Peel
For the fifth week in succession the Everton side will be unchanged. Charlton athletic visit Goodison Park on Saturday, kick-off 2-15 when Everton will endeavour to make their home wins into double figures.
EVERTON UNCHANGED
December 14, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton are again unchanged, for the fifth successive time, for the visit of Charlton to Goodison Park on Saturday, viz, Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, and Boyes. The Everton Reserves side to meet Newcastle United in a Central League game at St. James’s Park will include H. Roberts, a young local player, who has been playing with the “A” team at outside left. Team; Morton; Jackson, Jones; Britton, Gee, Milligan; Merritt, Cunliffe, Bell, Sharp, H. Roberts.
Thomas Hewitt Lewis
Dundee Courier-Thursday 15 December 1938
Blackpool last night secured the transfer of Thomas Hewitt Lewis, the Bradford outside-left, and he will probably play against Birmingham on Saturdav. Originally with Everton. Lewis went to Wrexham in 1930, and in»1933 he was signed Bradford.
START OF EVERTON’S REVIVAL
December 15, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
It is a long time since so many clubs, not only in the First Division but others as well, went so far into the season with so few team changes week by week. Everton and Southport are outstanding examples of course, but taking things by and large, the majority of clubs this year have called upon fewer players than at the corresponding stage last season. Some like Tranmere Rovers and Manchester City, who struck early snags in heavy lists of injuries, have chopped and changed a lot, but in most cases clubs have refused to get “windy” as the result of a couple or so successive defeats, which is all to the good. Panic changes usually do more harm than good. Talking with an Everton follower of many years’ standing a few days ago, he put down the Blues’ fine performance this season to the fact that the side had been changed so little. It seems to me like putting the cart before the horse. I should say that the team had been changed so little because it has done so well, rather than put it the other way round. To find the beginning of the amazing improvement in the side we have to go back further than the beginning of this season though. To the last couple of months of last season, in fact. It really began with the introduction of Jock Thomson as left half the switching of Mercer over to right half, and the signing of Greenhalgh and Boyes, all of which took place from early March onwards. Then this season of course Gillick got a chance to show how good he can be when he got his natural place at outside right, and Bentham presented with the opportunity to make a name for himself when Cunliffe was injured, turned out to be just the ideal partner for the tricky little Scot. Everton were only beaten three times in their last 13 games last season, and then only by narrow margins all away from home.
“F.H. H. “ writes “Regarding the Boxing Day match at Everton against Derby County, it would be appreciated by a large number of supporters if the 2s stand seats could be reserved at a small booking fee, to save people who live well outside the district having to leave home so early. I believe the idea was a success when Liverpool gave us the opportunity of doing the same for the Arsenal match a few weeks ago.” The Everton Club tell me the suggestion is not acceptable for this game.
Lewis Goes To Blackpool.
Thomas H. Lewis, outside left of Bradford, who is a native of Ellesmere Port and started his football career with Everton, going on a free transfer to Wrexham in 1930, has been transferred by the Yorkshire club to Blackpool, who are concerned about the inability of their attack to get goals since they let Frank O’Donnell go to Aston Villa. Though Lewis is not a youngster by a long chalk he is a strong player with a fine shot not afraid of taking responsibility on his own shoulders, as his 23 goals in 38 games last season bears witness, and he should do Blackpool a power of good. Manager Joe Smith is still looking for a centre forward.
THREE MORE HOME WINS WILL GIVE EVERTON RECORD.
December 16, 1938. The Evening Express.
Charlton A Big Hurdle Tomorrow
Former Blues’ Player In London Side.
By Pilot.
Three more wins in succession and Everton will set up a record which will stand for years. They will be the only team in the Football League ever to preserve a 100 per cent home record for the first half of the season since the league was increased to 22 clubs. Everton have three engagements in succession at Goodison Park. Tomorrow they face Charlton Athletic the following Saturday Blackpool supply the opposition and on Boxing Day they will tackle Derby County. I think the Blues can keep the record intact. Charlton provide stern opposition, for the Londoners are one of the hardest teams in the country to beat. Charlton have a habit of getting through by the odd goal, a sure indication that their defence is sound in all departments. It is because of the incisiveness and skill of the Everton attack, backed up by soundness throughout the defence, that I think the Blues can record their tenth successive home win of the season. Charlton were beaten 4-0 on their own ground by Wolves last week. The Athletic always play attractive football, however, and while I take Everton to win, it will be no easy thing for them. There will be a chance to welcome back an ex-Everton player, for Monty Wilkinson, who for a long time under-studied Dean, will be at outside right for the London side. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Charlton Athletic: - Bartram; Shreeve, Oakes (Jim); Green, Oaks (Jack), Welsh; Wilkinson, Robinson (Or Blott), Tadman, Boulter, Brown.
GOOD FOR EVERTON?
December 16, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
Charlton came a real cropper on their own ground, last Saturday, and will be wanting to take it out of someone, but they can hardly expect to do it this week for are they not at Goodison Park, where every team have failed in their bid for victory? I think I must be the Everton mascot. Prior to Preston the last away game I was at Huddersfield since when Everton have failed to take a single victory, but now that they have broken the ice again it will give them renewed confidence, if they need any more confidence at home, for they are a grand side at Goodison.
What Is Required.
However, if Everton are to win, they must shoot hard and often for in Bartram I consider the Athletic have one of the best goalkeepers in the land. He is on the verge of international standard in fact, if Woodley were not so consistently good, Bartram would, no doubt, have been recognized by now. He is one of the most daring goalkeepers in the country. He must inherit his gallantry from his father, who is a D.C.M. No risk is too big for Bartram to take. But even the most daring of goalkeepers can be beaten; Holdcroft is no novice by a long chalk, but he was beaten by a bit of fast work by Bentham and Gillick. I would like to see more of these surprises moves during the game. Their value is immense. It is little things like the Preston incident which get the opposition on the wrong foot, as it were. Everton must not think that Charlton I going to be an easy hurdle to take, for in the Athletic ranks are several very capable players. It will be interesting to see Monty Wilkinson treading the Goodison wing again, and should he be in form Thomson and Greenhalgh will have to watch their step. Speed is Monty’s strong point, and he can cut in and take a goal with the best. Then there are the brothers Oakes, two grand players, with Welsh a tireless half back always difficult to beat. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Charlton Athletic: - Bartram; Shreeve, Oakes (Jas); Green, Oaks (John), Welsh; Wilkinson, Robinson (Or Blott), Tadman, Boulter, Brown.
LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK AND TAPPING FROM MY TYPREWRITER
December 17, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Ranger.
• The oldest amateur football club discussion brings interesting letters from old-timers. Mr. James W. Welsh writes: - “From 1895, to 1903 I was intimately associated with the Hamilton Mission club. So far as I can tell, the Hamilton Mission club was inaugurated sometime about 1890, and at that time was one of the foremost junior teams together with Queen’s Road Mission and the other old Junior clubs you mention. There was also a team of note –namely St. Sylvester’s. Well do I remember some of the tussles St. Sylvester’s and Hamilton Mission used to have real junior local “Derby” games they were real good spirited sporting fights, with no quarter shown by either side, yet scrupulously fair.
• Hamilton Mission at that time played on a brickfield just below Cabbage Hall; Lower Breck they used to call it, and here are some of the names of the players when they won the Liverpool Junior Alliance, 1900-01. There were “Toss” Larkin, centre forward and captain (cartilage trouble thwarted what would have been a brilliant football career); Charlie Blakeneau, a wee fair haired at full back; Tommy Boardman, outside right; Stan Hardacre full back. Sam Hignett half back, who eventually played for Liverpool F.C., captaining the Reserves for a season or two. I mention the foregoing as the outstanding player of what was a really fine team.
• So much for Hamilton Mission. Now just a word or two about St. Sylvester’s. I Believe they were founded as a club much earlier then Hamilton Mission, and at that time their playing pitch was on Lock Fields, and close to their ground was the “cut” (canal) and what a wonderful home record they enjoyed. Season after season they were unbeaten at home, and it was not that they were invincible, but some sinister spirited supporters of them used to greet the visiting players with the gratuitous information that should defeat be inflicted on the home team they (the visitors) would be entertained to a “dip in the cut,” and as the winters in those days were winters, this sort of experience was something to be avoided. Nevertheless I saw some very fine games there, and never enjoyed the doubtful distinction of a canal dip. Of St. Sylvester’s players outstanding were D. Cullerton (capt.), not only centre forward but always a centre of attraction; Barney Dillion (C.H.) –if things were not going just as he wanted them what a “barney” there used to be. Who could forget Jack Keeley, who used to play with his short socks over his boot tops, and his bare legs were a joy to behold. A trainer too, they had Derry McCabe by name, whose voice and instruction from the line were the features of every match. It is gratifying to know these clubs of long ago are still flourishing and bid fair to emulate the grand accomplishments of their predecessors in the days yet to come.
• Further Memories of the Everton Football Club at Stanley Park, in 1883-84, are contributed by Mr. Billy Eyton, who says: - In the early days it was only natural that there should be a champion club so Everton played various clubs and defeated them. But a section of gentleman connected with Fitzclarance Street Welsh Church were not satisfied, so they raised a Welsh side to try and obtain the championship of Stanley Park, calling themselves Cambrian. For the captainship they secured the services of Ketley, who noted Welsh International, on the promise of a position, also Owen Roberts and a great player, Grif Owns, the Brothers Griffiths, included Ted, well known as a half-back, and brother of the Rev Williams Griffiths. I believe Ted Griffiths is still alive. The Everton team was :- C. Linday goal; T. Marriott, W. Parry, Backs; J. Richards, M. Higgins, F. Breckel, half-backs; J. preston, W. Eyton, W. Gibson, Twenlow; George Fleming, forwards, Fred Willis and Jimmy Higgins umpires. Everton won 6-2 and so retained the champion until forced to leave the park by the Parks Committee.
• In the early days we had difficulty in procuring players, as all parents were against their sons playing football; I could tell you about one director of Everton and his wife refusing their son to play for the club, the said lady emptying her bucket on us for asking such a question. The lad was a hefty kicker and would have made a great full back. The late W. Roche received the dirty water over him but living in Lansdowne Place he was close to home, but never forgot the insult. Mr. Roche was afterwards secretary of the Bootle club previous to Harry Heard. He was well respected by the Liverpool and Lancashire Association.
EVERTON’S BOYES WILL BE BOYES
December 17, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
The Little Throstle Now In Chirpy Form.
That Planned Goal At Preston.
By Stork.
I think I must be a mascot to Everton’s or the last time I saw them lose was at Huddersfield in September. Since then, until my return to duty, they had not won a single game on foreign soil. Their win at Preston was fully merited, because they took the one change, whereas the North End could not accept any, though they had more opportunities than Everton. I hope this is the forerunner to many away victories. Derby are doing so well on cut grounds that Everton cannot afford to slip a single point anywhere in a week’s time the two most prominent teams are due to meet at Goodison Park and the Baseball Ground. Then, of course, comes a third meeting between Everton and Derby, when on January 7 they clash in the Cup-tie. They should know each other well by then. Let me tell you a Torry Gillick story. We were returning from Preston when Gillick said. “That goal was all prearranged. It had been planned.” Of course I smiled doubtfully, when Joe Mercer said; Yes, that’s right, Stork. It was planned, even to the time of us scoring.” Again I look wisefully at the speaker, who followed up with. “Five minutes from the end was the time fixed.” Well, the arrangement went phut, for Lawton popped the ball into the net six minutes from the end of the game.
Boyes will be Boyes.
The name fits Walter to perfection, for he is a boy. He is full of tricks and fun and is never still for a moment. He was impish eye which suggest that he is always thinking out a new one to pull on somebody. Boyes is Everton’s most recent capture –big moneys captures I mean –for he only joined the Goodison staff last February, when Everton were unsettled on the left wing. Walter Boyes is not built on the lines of a footballer. To see him walking down the street no one would ever think football was his business, but it has been a full time business with this Sheffield-born player ever since he was a mere boy. He started playing at school –Neitherthorpe School, and among his school chums was no other than Ken Willingham. Both were forwards in those days. Boyes playing centre forward and Willingham at inside right for Sheffield Boyes. Can you imagine that! Boyes at centre forward? Later he played for Netherthorpe Night School Institute until he was eighteen –from 16 to 18 –Woodhouse Mills had his services for five months. Then came his big day. West Bromwich Albion offered him a trial, and for the next seven seasons he was a “throstle,” and a chirpy one at that. He was a member of the team which went to Wembley in 1935 to try their skill against the Wednesday of Sheffield, and although he scored a goal -that must have been a proud moment –the Albion were ultimately beaten 4-2. In his late days with the Albion he was a half-back. This came about through his falling back when injuries came to the half-back, and he did so well that he was often picked for the position. On February 24, 1938 Everton sought and obtained his signatures, and the following day he made his debut against Leeds United away. Naturally he did not tumble into the Everton style straight away in fact, he was getting a little concerned about his form, but this season he came right to his best, and was chosen for the international games v Wales at Cardiff and Rest of Europe at Highbury, and many were surprised that he did not win further honours. Boyes is a clever type of winger, some would prefer him to be a bit more direct, but I will never-forget his game against the Arsenal but as Walter said to me. It’s easy to play with a team that played as Everton did that day.” He considers his best game was his first for the Albion against Aston Villa. He has no funny stories to tell about his football, but there was one occasion when it must have been amusing to see him at centre half back against the towering Thompson, the Blackburn Rovers’ centre forward and the giant Imrie. Boyes is 5ft 6ins, the two Blackburn lads over 6ft. Walter did not tell me how he fared. He was pivot through four colleagues being off injured at one and the same times. When he was playing in a schoolboy football Boyes once scored 17 goals, and his side won 31-2, and the little fellow with the twinkling feet had the audacity to claim a penalty when his side were leading 27-0. When last I was in the Birmingham district I was told that the W.B.A spectators could never understand why Boyes was allowed to leave the “nest.” They have not had a better winger since his departure. “Although the Albion was a grand club to be with, I think Everton is a better. I have never been happier in my life than at Goodison Park.” Well, Walter, and you, too Torry, I hope you got your houses.
EVERTON’S DEFENCE SPILT
Everton 1 Charlton Athletic 4 (Game 1665 over-all)-(Div 1 1623)
December 19 1938 Liverpool Daily Post By Stork.
Charlton The Better Side
Records they say are made to be broken, but when the crash comes the blow is still hard to bear. Charlton deserved their success by 4 goals to 1 at Goodison Park. They had bearded the lion in the dean tackled something which appeared to lay for them on paper, and in the fact the Everton had been all-conquering on their own ground. I nearly said turf, when it was a mud heap down the centre, and this no doubt was one of the chief factors in Everton’s defeat. The Athletic were the wiser workers in the mud. Everton opened as though they would sweep Charlton away for Lawton was right through their defence in the first half-minutes but shot outside. That was one change missed, but it was as nothing compared to those which followed on. Fate had offered Everton three easy chances in the first half-hour; they refused, them so who was to blame? Not Charlton. No team with Championship aspiration can throw away, such chances offered to Stevenson and Lawton-they were all gilt edged securities by right. Wilkinson’s goal having missed their way, Charlton took heart and within a few minutes of the interval they themselves had chalked up a goal, and the irony of it was that Wilkinson the scorer, was the one-time Everton winger. He had kept quiet up to the then, and while engineering of the goal was not convincing- There was no leading up work to the goal. The ball just coming to him, it made one realize the tragedy of the Everton misses. The play considering the day, had been excellent with Everton the more skillfully combination. But Charlton had their moments and made full use of them, Sagar having to make several saves of merit. The 22,000 spectators at the resumption, and it was not long before the score were level again. Would Everton repent Charlton permanence? Bartram was unlucky u thought Bartram was lucky to be beaten by Gillick for he had turned aside a Boyes shot taken the quick return from Gillick, but in his haste to get rid of the ball he pushed it back to the outside right, who nodded it straight back to the net. All seemed well, but Everton were not quite together. They were not the smooth working machine we have become used to seeing, and when, at 56 minutes Tadman picked up a Sagar clearance and slammed it into the net, who became fearful of that home record.
Was The Ball Over ?
The Charlton defenders had been very sound right through, and having gained the lead they played in the happy knowledge that it would take two goals to beat them. A long centre by Bentham was pulled from under the bar by Bartram who fell forward with the ball under him. There was a strong appeal that the ball had gone over the line. Who could tell but those on the spot? I did not think so, but won’t argue, for I was too far away to be sure. There was a tremendous scrimmage around Bartram, who finally came through with the ball. It was argued that had that goal been granted-some are most emphatic that the ball was over the line-Everton would have won, ‘’ifs and buts’’ have no place in football, facts alone count. Iot was shortly after this incident that Everton changed their tactics. In an effort to pull the game out of the fire they threw defence to the winds, but the Charlton defence stood its ground magnificently, and when a clearance was made the ball usually landed at the forwards feet and he had a comparatively easy task to go forward with Jones and Mercer, well up the field. It is a good policy to throw everything into attack in a league game? I doubt it with goal averages such a tremendous help these days. It would have been better for Everton to have been beaten 2-1 than 4-1. Therefore the policy did not pay against Charlton. True Bartram had to make a desperate save late on when Lawton slashed a drive at him and he tipped it over the bar. The turning point in the game was when the referee gave a free kick against Thomson for what appeared to be a perfectly fair shoulder charge. He maintained he had elbowed his man of. The free-kick gave Charlton the lead, and they never looked back. Everton were without precision. They were perhaps the better craftsman, but Charlton’s type of play suited the conditions much better and in the end they split the Everton defence to pieces, with Sagar often in sore trouble. He saved many situations but had no chance with the shots which beat him. Charlton won and won well by who hearted effort. Their backing-up was perfect. The game was won when Stevenson was injured and went outside right.
Result Everton 1, Charlton Athletic 4 Everton; Sagar goal, Cook, and Greenhalgh, backs, Mercer, Jones (tg) and Thomson (captain) half-backs, Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, and Boyes forwards. Charlton; Bartram, goal, Shreeves and Oakes (jas), backs, Green, Oakes (john), and welsh half-backs, Wilkinson, Blott, Tadman Boulter, and brown forwards, Referee Mr. H.T.Wright (Macclesfield), attendance 22,053
CENTRAL LEAGUE
Newcastle United Reserves 4 Everton Reserves 2
December 19, 1938, Liverpool Daily Post
Central League (Game 19)
Newcastle give their most impressive display of the season in beating Everton. The visitors had most of the play before the interval, but Newcastle’s incisive finishing gave them a 3-1 lead through Pearson and Scott (2), Bell replying. Stubbins got United Fourth before Roberts scored near the end. Merritt sparkled on the Everton right, while Bell was a good leader. The backs were moderate despite the ground work of Britton and Milligan. Fairhusrt at the back, Bradley tight half, and inspired forwards shone for Newcastle Everton team, Morton goal, Jackson and Jones (je) backs, Britton Gee (captain),, and Milligan, half-backs, Merritt, Cunliffe, Bell, Sharp and Roberts (h) forwards.
Placed 4, played 19, won 11, lost 5 drew 3 for 35, against 34 points 25
GEORGE MAHON CUP SEOND ROUND
Everton ‘’A’’ 5 Runcorn Reserves 1
December 19, 1938, Liverpool Daily Post
The visitors were on match for the home team of West Derby although their defence played well throughout. The home forwards opened in spirited style and Davies scored after 5 minutes. It was not until a minute from the interval that Wyles added a second for Everton. The home side dominated the second half play and Wyles (2), and Dean added further goals; Simon reduced the lead from a penalty.
HARROGATE TONIC FOR EVERTON
December 19 1938 Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel
Everton are to go into special training for the holiday engagements starting on Sunday, they go to Harrogate until the Blackpool match at Goodison Park on Saturday week. Following their Baseball Ground on Tuesday, they go to the London area in preparation to meet Brentford new years eve. The following week will be spent at Harrogate.
EVERTON OFF THE TARGET-FOR ONCE
December 19, 1938. The Evening Express
Inside Men Miss Easy Chances
By Watcher.
Everton’s inside forwards will have to show better marksmanship than they did against Charlton Athletic, at Goodison Park, on Saturday, if they are to maintain their challenge to Derby County, the First Division leaders. On the heaviest going at Goodison this season –the mud was inches thick in the penalty areas –Charlton were worthy 4-1 winners. Thus ended Everton’s 100 per cent home record. Lawton and Stevenson were never happy and between them, they missed half a dozen gilt-edged chances before Wilkinson gave Charlton the lead after 37 minutes. I believe that if the Blues’ inside men had converted but one of those chances they would have won –because when Charlton took the lead the Athletics’ confidence received a tremendous boost. Although Gillick’s opportunist header put Everton on level terms early in the second half, Charlton never relaxed, and they dictated play for the greater part of the second half. The strong wind and thick mud played tricks with the ball –but Everton will have to play on a number of “mud pitches” before the spring. Unless the inside men can accommodate themselves to such conditions, the sting will be missing from the front line.
Gillick And Boyes Pleased.
Gillick and Boyes both played splendidly. They gave Lawton, Stevenson, and Bentham innumerable accurate passes, but all were of no avail. In the first half Everton’s defence was generally able to cope with the lively Charlton forwards among whom Tadman always seemed the most likely to score. He received invaluable support from Brown and Wilkinson. Both these wingers kept the Blues’ halves on tenterhooks, but until the interval honours were about even. Sagar and Bartram were delightful. Both saved with commendable skill and their judgment was faultless. After Charlton had taken the lead for the second time, when Tadman accepted an open goal, the Blues defence wilted. The Charlton halves “smothered” the Everton forwards and fed their own front line so well that Sagar was called on to clear from all angles. Eventually the pressure told its tale, and two further goals were added. The end came with the Blues well beaten –but there was no justification for the minor chorus of cat-calls which greeted the Everton team as they walked to their dressing-room.
IT HAD TO COME
December 19, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
We all knew that one day Everton would crash at home, but we hardly expected Charlton would be the team to cause it, for had they themselves not suffered a similar fate the week previously. Not only did the Londoners win, but did so by a convincing margin; a margin which no one could argue against. It is all very fine to say that Everton should have won in the first half hour but if a team will not accept its chances then they must take the full responsibility for their defeat. Fate had been kind to the Everton forwards in the first half hour when three gilt-edged scoring chances were put before them. They were easy one’s too. There were others not so easy but I will overlook them, but cannot forgive the non-acceptance of the trio mentioned. Admitting that the middle of the ground was s “sump” one cannot get over the fact that Charlton took four goals on the self-same surface, so there was no excuse for those Everton misses. To tempt fate too far is fatal. Never again did she offer Everton such chances in fact she was unkind when Charlton scored the second goal for the free kick granted to the Athletic was never a free kick in this world. Thomson’s charge on an opponent was a perfectly legitimate one, but the referee foiled him in the belief that he had elbowed his man. Sagar saved the free kick, but in doing so swept the ball out to Tadman who returned it to the net. Everton were up against it. A goal behind and Charlton playing a confident game in all-departments, whereas Everton had lost their precision. They pressed and there was only one outcome to that –inaccuracies.
Was It Wise?
A Cup-tie plan was decided upon Defence gave way to an all-attacking method and while I would commend a change in a Cup-tie, I doubt whether it was good against Charlton when goal average with such paramount importafice nowadays, when all things are so equal. Everton could; I fancy have fined down Charlton’s victory to 2-1, a much better result for them than 4-1 against, but the chance helped rather than hindered Charlton, whose forwards seemed capable of running through the Everton defence at will, and Sagar had some tricky work to do in the Everton goal. Let me explain. Jones and Mercer went up field in an endeavour to pull the game out of the fire and keep their home record intact, but instead of bringing the desired result it had a reverse effect. A Charlton clearance usually landed in the Everton half where three men had to face five, which was asking too much. Was it any wonder that Charlton scored two further goals, and might have had others? It was a good game; at least that was my opinion when everything was taken into account. Everton were, perhaps, the more polished side with Charlton banking their all on a back-up process. There was nothing flippant about their play; it was straight forward, just as it needed to be on the cloggy ground. Each and every one of the goals came not by combined movements as we know them, but by the big pass and the quick move forward. I cannot recall any one of their goals coming along through clever initial work. The shooter seemed to get the ball from nowhere. It wasn’t pleasant to think that Charlton’s victory was started by the former Everton player; Wilkinson, who opened the day’s scoring, and later gave Thomson and Greenhalgh a trying time, particularly the captain, who had a poor day. When Everton got their equalizer through a Gillick header Everton seemed to get on top. Bartram was unlucky to be beaten, for he had turned a Boyes shot out, taken a quick return by Gillick only to see the ball go right to Gillick’s head and them into the net. Then came that fatal free kick and from then on it was Charlton first and Everton second.
EVERTON’S TONIC
December 20, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton have started on their tonic training. For the next three weeks they will be away from Goodison with the exception of a few days at Christmas and New Year. At the moment they are at their favorites, rendezvous, Harrogate, and are going through the useful routine at the famous spa. After their match with Blackpool at Goodison Park they visit the southern area in readiness for their match with Brentford on New Year’s Eve. They will go to the same hotel as on the occasion of their final tie with Manchester City a few years ago. Bushey Hall was not available, so they will leave Liverpool next week-end for Deepdale Hotel, Dorking. After the Brentford game they return to Liverpool for the New Year, and then on again to Harrogate in preparation for their Cup-tie with Derby County. I understand that tickets applications for the Cup-tie at the Baseball Ground have been coming in apace, and that there is a little likelihood of any tickets being returned to the Derby club. Twelve players are at Harrogate, the full team and Gordon Watson the twelfth man.
EVERTON’S HOLIDAY MATCHES
December 21 1938 Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel
Everton as yet have not taken special precaution to protect the ground from the frost, and no doubt the usual custom of sprinkling of sand over the pitch will b4e observed. If the conditions remain as they are, Blackpool are the Visitors at Goodison Park on Saturday. Derby County visit Everton on Monday, and the return game will be played on the following day. Everton are relying on the side that lost to Charlton and providing all goes well the players selected will turn out in other matches. The Everton players at present are at Harrogate preparing for their strenuous programme, and the tonic is expected to do the players good. After the Christmas matches they turn south for their game with Brentford in New Year eve. They are to stay at Dorking and following the Brentford match the players return to Liverpool and will proceeds later to Harrogate in readiness for the cup test with Derby County on January 7.
EVERTON SAME AGAIN.
December 21, 1938. The Liverpool Echo.
Ranger’s Notes
Everton have a heavy week-end ahead of them –so have most other clubs, for the matter. They are one of the first in the field with their holidays teams. I had a word with Mr. Theo Kelly, the secretary, this morning, and he tells me that Stevenson who was injured against Charlton on Saturday, is almost fit again, and that there is not the slightest doubt that he will be ready for the Blackpool game at Goodison on Saturday. Then same team has been chosen for all the holiday games. Blackpool and Derby County. Of course, this is providing there are no injuries. Blackpool have been showing improved form in recent weeks, and there is no getting away from the fact that they have a good side. It has not quite settled in, and several changes have been made, and they seem to have made for improvement. Everton have last week’s defeat to wipe out, and you can bank on an entirely different display. Of course, the conditions will be altered, the mud giving way, to the frost, so Everton should get back to their normal type of game. There has been a heavy fall of snow at Harrogate, but this will not interfere with the team’s routine. This morning they were out going road work, and this afternoon they will be at the gymnasium. Harrogate looks its best with its mantle of snow, and although the news is inclined to send a shiver down your spine, Mr. Kelly told me that it was possible to knock about without a coat. In the evening the Stray looks a picture, with its fairly lights in the trees. Team; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. The Central League side to meet Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park will be: - Morton; Jackson, Jones; Britton, Gee, Milligan; Merritt, McMurray, Bell, Sharp, Davies.
Lawton Still Leads The Way.
Although Tommy Lawton, the Everton and England leader, failed to find the net in the game with Charlton Athletic, at Goodison, last Saturday, he stills retains his position as leading marksman of the Football league to date. Eighteen goals in as many matches is Tommy’s record to date, and his “bag” includes 3 versus Middlesbrough and 2’s against Grimsby Town, Brentford, Manchester United and Chelsea. He is being hotly pursued by Fenton, Middlesbrough, whose half-dozen goals in his last three matches have placed him on the 127 mark along with Clarke, Blackburn Rovers.
TRAINING IN THE SNOW.
December 22, 1938. Evening Express
By Pilot.
The Everton players are having a grand tome at Harrogate, where they are turning up. There has been heavy snow there, and the lads are travelling in it. Knowing the players as I do I can visualize some hectic snowball battles! Mr. Theo Kelly, the secretary, is as usual, keeping everyone occupied. He has something arranged for them all the time, and there is never a dull moment. The lads are thoroughly enjoying themselves and everyone is perfectly fit. At Goodison Park it is just the same. The turf is absolutely level. It is probable that the ground will be sanded tomorrow and the goals areas softened by the application of salt. There is no fear that Everton game being stopped by frost.
WE SHALL MISS HIM
December 22, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes.
It is difficult to realize that dear old Bill Barnes will be seen no more in his favorite spot in the shareholders stand at Goodison Park, or doing his share of stewarding on big match days. Though he had not been really well for a long time it was not until three months or so ago that his condition began to give cause for anxiety, and now, after he had seemed to be on the road to recovery a sudden relapse has robbed us of a great and loveable character. Though to many readers he may have been unknown even by name, in the hearts of those who had the privilege and pleasure of his friendship the name of Bill Barnes will be revered long after others who were famous have been forgotten. I knew him well, for I lunched with him at least once every week, and I know a lot of the good work he did in so many ways in his own quiet and unostentatious fashion. Many folk have cause to be grateful to him. I number myself among them. He loved a joke, and was never happier than when doing a spot of gentile leg-pulling. On such occasions he kept a poker-like face until he thought the joke had gone far enough then a merry twinkle in his eye gave the game away. His death leaves a void that cannot be filled. We shall never look on his like again, for Bill Barnes was unique. The numerous company of sports folk who knew and esteemed him, players at well as officials will, I know, join me in expressing deepest sympathy with his wife and son.
Goodison Pitch
The frost is causing a little anxiety at Goodison Park regarding Saturday’s home fixture against Blackpool, but if the weather gets no worse the ground will definitely be fit for play. Twelve man have been working on the pitch all week, cutting out the dangerous frozen divots with shovels –and in some cases pickaxes –and removing all the hard lumps. Several tones of sand will be strown on the turf between now and Saturday’s, but braziers are not being used.
GOODISON DUELS; EVERTON’S CHANCES
December 23, 1938. The Evening Express.
By Pilot.
Everton have a great chance of regaining position number one in the First Division during the holidays. Twice they face the leaders, Derby County. No matter what happens in other games, these clubs will clash as the two leading clubs on Monday, and it should provide one of the finest matches of the year, particularly in view of the fact that they have to meet in the F.A.Cup on January 7. Everton and Derby are so far ahead that their positions cannot be affected by tomorrow’s results, but, curiously enough, if Everton fail to gain a Christmas point they can be overtaken by Liverpool and Wolves! I think the Blues, after their Harrogate tonic, will be capable of securing at least four points –the result of the home engagements. Everton have a chance of recording their first “double” of the season. They won at Blackpool on the opening day of the season by two goals to nil. Keen interest will be taken in the display of Tommy Lewis, the new Blackburn outside left, for a few seasons ago he played with Everton. Lewis is strong, forceful type of winger with a fine shot. Blackpool are a clever side in midfield, but Jack thrust in front of goal. If the Everton forwards take their chances I think they will win. Everton’s harder task is against Derby County, but here again everything depends on the forwards. I can promise the supporters that the County defence is one of the finest I have seen for years –five internationals, and as effective, as they make them. This should be a wonder game, and it will surprise me if the ground record of 68,158 is not broken. The record was established when Sunderland were at Goodison Park in the F.A. Cup. Everton, providing there are no injuries will play an unchanged team for the three games. Everton: - Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes.
Pilot Sports Log
Everton are taking no chances with Christmas weather or Christmas traffic. They appreciate the risk of delay and are prepared for it. This week they have been having a tonic at Harrogate, and it was their intention to travel to Liverpool tomorrow morning in time for the home game against Blackpool. Since those arrangements were made, however, we have had snow, and there is the danger of fog. Everton are prepared. They leave Harrogate tonight. The party will remain at Manchester tonight, and complete the journey home tomorrow. This will prevent any chance of their being held up owing to the holiday traffic on the railway. Everton Trialists.
Everton are giving a trial Monday to a 19-year-old left-half-back from the Army. This is Greene, a well-built player who comes with a strong recommendations. Greene is home on leave, and has asked for a trial. He gets it in the “A” team which opposes Earlestown Bohemians at Earlestown on Monday morning. Everton “A” begin their holiday programme with a match against South Liverpool Reserves at Holly Park, Garston, tomorrow. Their teams are: - (V. South Liverpool); Burnett; Prescott, Saunders; M.Hill, Edwards, Lindsay; Barber, K. Dean, Wykes, F, Griffiths, H. Roberts.
(V. Earlestown Bohemians); Lovett (or Burnett); Lambert, Davies (JW); M. Hill, Wykes, L. Greene; Barber, K. Dean, Catterick, F. Griffiths, H. Roberts.
EVERTON’S VITAL GAMES.
December 23, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
Everton have a big holiday fixture ahead, for tomorrow they meet Blackburn at Goodison Park, and although the “Pool” were beaten by Everton at Blackpool, the Seasiders have improved since those early days. Everton throw away their chances of maintaining their unbeaten home record a week ago, when Charlton scored as many goals as all the other nine teams which had visited Goodison Park. It was a bit of a blow at the time, but time is a great healer, and the Everton players have got over the shock by now. Tomorrow the turf will be hard, and that should be more suitable to Everton’s type of game, which is not seen to advantage on the muddy ground. I understand that the ground will not be at all bad. It will naturally be bone hard, but well shod –and Everton will be that –they should be able to play their natural game, the short passing game which in their natural bent. Blackpool will give them plenty to do, for there is undoubtedly skill in the side; but I don’t think they will follow in the footsteps of Charlton and give us another surprise. On Monday the match of the season will be played at Goodison Park, Derby County are visitors, and a better holiday attraction could not have been arranged. A lot will depend upon the issue of this meeting. On the following day Everton go to Derby for the return game. The County have won but once at Goodison in the last thirty-odd years; by the same token, Everton have not won a lot of games at the Baseball ground. The same team has been chosen for all three games, but it would not surprise me if there is an alteration or two during the week-end games. Stevenson, who was injured last week, has fully recovered, and Lawton, who was troubled with a leg strain, is quite well again. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes.
CUNLIFFE’S DOUBLE IN EVERTON’S 4-0 HOME WIN
December 24, 1938. The Evening Express, Football Edition.
First-Time Methods Beat Blackpool
Cook Scores From Penalty
His First Goal For Blues.
By Watcher.
Everton were sound winners over Blackpool at Goodison Park. The Blues won 4-0. Cunliffe returned to the Everton side for the first time since October, and he scored two goals. He came in at inside left for Stevenson, who was injured. Gillick and Cook (Penalty) were Everton’s other scorers. The Blues won because of their first time methods and better finishing. Watson introduced at left-half in place of Thomson. Team: - Everton: - Sagar, goal; Cook (captain) and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones and Watson, half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Cunliffe and Boyes, forwards. Derby County: - Wallace, goal; Blair (D) and Sibley, backs; Farrow, Hayward, and Johnston, half-backs; Munro, Buchan, Finan, Eastham and Lewis, forwards. Referee Mr. E. Carnwell (Lichfield). The game opened at a fast pace, both goalkeepers being tested. The Blackpool backs were prominent in the first five minutes, but Wallace did well to save dangerous shots from Everton’s inside men. Everton were ahead after nine minutes, when Gillick, opened the scoring with a powerful shot that gave Wallace no chance. Lawton secured possession, but finding himself hampered pushed the ball back for Gillick to do the necessary. Sagar’s charge was placed in danger when Blackpool counter-attacked, but Greenhalgh headed away to relieve pressure. Everton retaliated and Bentham put he shot over the bar. Munro, the Blackpool winger received a pass and raced down the wing, and passed to an outside man. Greenhalgh barred the player’s way, and Sagar was able to pick up and clear. Cunliffe secured and Wallace was fortunate to pull down a head-high centre which was curling towards the far side of the goal. Boyes created an opening by racing towards the penalty area and then cutting towards Cunliffe, who, however, was beaten by Blair.
Blackpool Raids.
When Blackpool attacked, Everton gained relief with a free kick awarded when Jones was brought down in just outside the penalty area. Boyes secured and earned applause in his performance in a duel with Blair, but the winger shot weakly and Wallace and no difficulty in clearing. Cunliffe was frequently in the picture and was often a danger to the Blackpool defenders. He was unfortunate not to connect properly with the ball after being Blair. Sagar pulled down a hot shot from Lewis at the other end. Blair was just in time to upset Cunliffe’s balance when the inside left was about to shoot from point blank range. Boyes gave Cunliffe a glorious chance, he dribbled goalwards from the half-way line to near the penalty area before sending the ball inwards to Cunliffe whose shot, however, was a yard wide. A nice cross-pass from Johnston sent Munro away, but when the winger reached the ball in front of goal, Sagar had plenty of time to pick up. Lewis then caused Sagar to stretch to his full height to pull down a cross-shot. After Lawton had pulled up for beening yards offside, Munro put the ball high over the bar.
Finan Misses Chance.
Following a throw-in Muno secured and cleverly beat two Everton defenders before slipping to Finan. The Blackpool centre forward was wide with his shot. Lawton, the Everton centre-forward, was well held by the Blackpool defenders, but after 40 minutes he made the most of a nice chance which brought Everton another goal. Lawton secured and slipped the ball to Cunliffe, who beat Wallace all the way with a hard drive. A minute later, Bentham had to received attention following a collision with Wallace, but play was resumed without he having to leave the field.
Half-Time Everton 2, Blackpool 0.
Everton pressed hard on the resumption but a free kick gave Blackpool relief. When Blackpool broke away, Lewis, who had been their most dangerous forward, put the ball among the crowd. A minute later Eastham headed into Sagar’s hands from Lewis’ centre. Blackpool were taking no chance, whenever Everton got near, at least six Blackpool players packed the goal. Everton were three up in the 53rd minute, Cook scoring from a penalty. Bentham was through and when just inside the penalty-area, he was brought down by a Blackpool defender. Cook was entrusted with the penalty kick. Wallace made a grand save from Cook’s first effort, but he could not save the full back’s second attempt, which went crashing into the net. This was Cook’s first-ever goal for Everton. The game was held up when Bentham and Sibley came in collision. Bentham walked away rubbing his chin, but Sibley had to be lifted up. He resumed a moment or two later. Lewis, the Blackpool left-winger. Combined splendidly with Eastham, brother of the Liverpool Eastham, and Lewis was disappointed to see a shot just go outside.
Blackpool Fight-Back.
Although three goals behind, Blackpool fought back splendidly, and Sagar had to throw himself full length to save from Lewis. At the other end, Blair was just a yard to quick for Lawton, when Gillick centred right in front of the Blackpool goal. After Lewis had been pulled up for offside, Boyes broke away but banged the ball yards wide of the upright. Tommy Jones kept a tight hold on Finan and Blackpool were more dangerous on the wing than from the inside positions. Lewis was definitely the danger man and he had not always the best of luck against the quick-tackling Everton defenders. Eastham shot over when well placed after good combination by him and Lewis. Mercer and Cook had a busy afternoon watching the lively Lewis. Lawton was bustled away when he looked a likely scorer. After 73 minutes Cunliffe put the Blues further ahead, converting a nicely placed ball from Boyes. The range must have been 20 yards and the shot had Wallace beaten all the way. Blackpool still pegged away, but lacked accuracy near goal. Bentham sent wide with a header, and then Sagar had to come out to a bouncing ball from Buchan. Eastham tried to get Blackpool away, but Finan over-ran the pass by a couple of yards. Hayward was keeping a close watch on Lawton, and he alone prevented England’s centre forward from scoring. Final Everton 4, Blackpool 0.
EASY POINTS FOR EVERTON
December 24, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
One-Way Traffic Game
Cook’s First.
By Stork.
An easy win for Everton, Blackpool never a menace because their attack was rarely free of the Everton defenders. Team: - Everton: - Sagar, goal; Cook (captain) and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones and Watson, half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Cunliffe and Boyes, forwards. Derby County: - Wallace, goal; Blair (D) and Sibley, backs; Farrow, Hayward, and Johnston, half-backs; Munro, Buchan, Finan, Eastham and Lewis, forwards. Referee Mr. E. Carnwell (Lichfield). The Everton team showed two changes, Stevenson, who hurt his knee a week ago against Charlton, had not recovered sufficiently to enable him to take his usual place at inside left against Blackpool, today. Cunliffe therefore making his first appearance in the senior side this season. Then there was an alteration in the half-back line, Watson taking the left half position in place of Thomson. The ground had been liberally sanded, but must have been hard under the surface, so that one would have to overlook errors of judgment. Blackpool opened with a raid on the Everton goal, and Jones showed what prefect confidents he had of the situation when he dribbled inside his own penalty area and then put the ball back to his goalkeeper. It looked a daring bit of work, but Jones and Sagar had a complete understanding in this type of defence. The first five minutes belonged to Everton, and Wallace was called upon to make two saves of long distance, and had to be very certain when he went out to take the ball away from Bentham, who looked to be on the way to a goal.
Lawton-Gillick Move.
Lawton had thus far won the majority of duels between himself and Hayward, particularly so when the ball was in the air, and it was from a Lawton move that Everton drew first blood. Lawton found himself in the penalty area, but was badly placed for a shot, as he had his face turned towards his own goal; so he very deliberately pushed the ball back to the on-coming Gillick, who did not even trouble to deaden the ball but simply swept it into the net. Time 6 minutes. There were very few slips, all things considered, but so far little or nothing had been seen of the Blackpool front line, whereas Everton were always knocking at the door of Wallace’s house. Boyes and Gillick once got in each other’s way, so that a good chance was allowed to pass by. Cunliffe had a short hot saved. Then Blackpool showed the strength of their attack when they got through the Everton defence, which had up to now, held Blackpool as if in a vice, and Lewis closed in and, although angled, he made a great shot only to see Sagar make a magnificent save. But there was still a want of something definite in the Blackpool front line. I will admit that the Everton defence was very sound today, and gave little or nothing away. They were quicker into the tackle, so that Blackpool had very few opportunities. On the other hand, Everton were a much more dominating force, and had it not been for a last-minute dive by Wallace, Cunliffe would have chalked up a goal for himself. Just at this point the Blackpool right wing, which had been uncommonly quiet, broke out, but Munro dallied much too long with his centre, which ultimately crashed up against an Everton man. Lawton, Cunliffe, and Boyes indulged in a bit of fine play. It was not only pretty to watch, but appeared likely to bring something in its train until it fizzled out. Almost half an hour went by and Sagar had but one shot to handle. Just as I had completed this sentence he had to catch a long dropping centre from Lewis. There was an uncommon incident when Goalkeeper Wallace and Cunliffe got together. The majority of us thought a foul should have been given against Cunliffe and were surprised when he found it going against the goalkeeper for carrying, but it meant nothing for the free kick was speedily cleared. Watson with a big punt forward, found Lawton’s head. The young England leader nodded it to Cunliffe, who had a great chance of distinguishing himself until he shot behind the from a rather easy position. When Finan made a shot he threw up so much sand with it that it looked more like a niblick effort, and Mercer was the sufferer for the sand blinded him for a moment.
Blair’s Sound Defence.
Blair was playing grand defensive football, and his timely interventions were of immense value to Blackpool’s plans. Lawton almost sneaked one when it looked a thousand to one against him even making contact, the ball going over the bar. Lewis was the biggest thorn in Everton’s side, but he had not the support of the inside men, who rarely called upon Sagar. At 39 minutes Lawton, who had been giving passes to all and sundry, at last got Cunliffe going. Had Cunliffe failed it would have been amazing, for he was in an excellent position when the ball arrived at his foot. All he had to do was to shoot accurately. This Cunliffe did, so that Everton held a two goals’ lead at the interval.
Half-Time Everton 2, Blackpool 0.
Blackpool made one swift attack in the second half, and Eastham finished up with a nice header which Sagar prevented from entering his net. Everton were soon at it again, and when Bentham had his legs taken from under him in the penalty area there was no other alteration but a penalty kick. Now the penalty taker of the Everton club is Lawton, but for some reason (I think it was because of a slight leg strain) he decided to hand over the honour to another.
Cook Opens His Account.
Cook, who was captain in place of Thomson, decided to take it himself. His first shot was saved by Wallace, but Cook followed up, collected the return and slapped the ball into the net. This I think is Cook’s first League goal since he came to Everton. It was a quiet sort of match, no doubt due to the fact that Blackpool had not the necessary bite to test the Everton defence, so that the play became rather one-sided, and in such cases the game is bounded to lack the interest one finds in a grimly-fought contest. Lewis gave Eastham an opportunity of reducing the deficit, but the former Brentford player scooped the ball over the bar. It was a one-way game and that way was the Everton way, and when Lawton tried to take his usual goal he found the ball blocked by Sibley, but even then the ball travelled on to Blair so that Wallace dashed in took the ball away from his own man, and cleared. The next half second, however, saw Everton score a fourth goal. Cunliffe shot from just less than 18 yards out and Wallace actually got his hands to the ball, but he did not lift it high enough to turn it over the crossbar, and the ball simply flew into the top netting. Time was 73 minutes. Eastham could have reduced the deficit had he been alive to the fact that a quick shot was needed, but he desired to kill the ball instead of taking his chance with a first-timer. Hayward hurt his wrist when he fell after making a tackle. He played on for a while, but eventually had to receive attention. A free kick to Everton produced a fine shot by Jones and am equally good save by Wallace, who almost immediately afterwards had to face up to another shot by Bentham. Lawton was anxious to get a goal, and it seemed highly probable he would have one when he picked up a big clearance and was bound for the waiting Wallace, but Blair nipped in at the right moment and cut him off, so that Lawton’s shot went wide. Almost at the end Wallace made another brilliant save from Cunliffe. Final Everton 4, Blackpool 0.
LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK AND TAPPING FROM MY TYPEWRITER
December 24, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Rangers.
Evertonians will be pleased to hear that Jackie Coulter is playing as well as ever with Chelmsford City, who have fought their way into Round 3 of the Cup. Coulter’s wing play has had much to do with this progress of the club in its first season. He has made many friends there, and Chelmsford followers will not hear of his transfer, through plenty of inquiries have been made. The former Everton, and Grimsby winger has done a great deal to put Jack Palethorpe right back in the limelight and the ex-Stoke, Preston and Villa centre forward has been a big power in Chelmsford’s Cup successes.
DIDN’T WANT TO SIGN PRO.-AND EVERTON
December 24, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
How Harry Cooke “Just Fell Into It”
From Little Seacombe Side To England’s Trainer
This Is Swing Tome Everton!
By Stork.
The whole football world were staggered when they learned that Everton had been beaten at home for the first time this season. I myself heard people grumbling at the side because of their fall. I’ll admit it was a bit of a blow at the time, but there is no need to cry over the matter. It had to come sooner or later, and the biggest blow to me was that it should come as it did, for had Everton taken those easy chances they would most probably have romped home easy winners. Let us take stock for a moment. They had played and won nine games at Goodison in a row, won these and drawn one away, so what is all the wailing about. That is championship form isn’t it? Derby suffered a similar fate, Fulham lost their first home game, so you see it comes to them all in turn. When all is said and done. Charlton are not a team of “mugs.” Far from it. Just take a glimpse at their placing in the League table and their away record. Some weeks ago I said the heavy grounds might affect Everton’s play. What do you think? They will if Everton persist in trying to dribble the ball, making short passes instead of swinging the ball about. That won the game for Charlton, for there was little combination about any of the goals. When we are watching our favourite team do we ever give a thought to the man who works behind the scenes, the man who is as much a part of the team as any one of the players, yet get none of the plaudits or bouquets when his team carries off either the Cup or the League Championship. His name is not a household word like Lawton, Dean, Young, or Sproston, but his part in this great football game of ours in just as important as any one of them. He does not seek the limelight; that his team does well is all he asks. I know many trainers, but none better than Harry Cooke, who “fathers” the Everton players preparatory to their going on the field and immediately they come off. Never have I met one more gentlemanly than Harry. Ask the directors, ask the players, ask anyone who has had anything to do with Harry Cooke, and the same answer will come from each one; “A grand chap, Harry; one of nature’s best, a gem of the finest cut.” Now I know that Harry will take me to task for saying such things about him, for modesty is his weakness, but he may rest assured that they are said with the greatest sincerity. The players think the world of him. Isn’t that sufficient guarantee of his understanding of human nature? Footballers like us all, have moods, more so, I should think, but Harry Cooke knows them as though they were his own sons, who could not get better treatment. How many of you know that Harry was an Everton player as far back as 1904, and actually played in two rounds of the Cup the year Everton won the trophy in 1906, and was reserve forward through all the other rounds. He did, yet he did not like the idea of making professional football his career. He loved the game and still does, and he thinks is no club like Everton. His football started with Seacombe Swifts and Wheatland after which he went to Liscard C.E.M.S. It was not long before he caught the eye of the Everton scouts, and was a “Blue” from that day to this. His first game was against Belfast Distillery, and he played regularly before the footballers bugbear cartilage brought his playing days to a premature close. Asked how he became a trainer, his reply was; “I just fell into it. I first took the “A” team graduating through the Second, until finally I was appointed to the first team, following Jack Elliott, to whom I was assistant for some considerable Time” he has travelled the Continent with Everton teams and is almost as well know across the Channel as he is on English grounds. He has had charge of England’s international and Inter-leagues games, so has risen to the highest point of his profession. His happiest moment was when Everton walked off Wembley’s spacious ground winners of the Cup in 1933. Cooke has a fund of stories to tell of his travels, but I let you into a secret. His great passion is going round the shops, purchasing tricks presents, &c. Harry never goes to the Continent without something happening en route. He has been in a collision witnessed a wretch, and last time there was a madman on the boat who stabled another passenger and then jumped overboard. He loves travelling, although it entails much worry as a trainer. Here’s a sample of his modesty “When I came to Everton I did not want to become a professional, I thought I was not nearly good enough, and with so many good players on the Everton books at that time I could not see any chance of getting a game at all. After the trial against Belfast, lo and behold, they offered to sign me on. I gave way and signed as a working pro, and – would you believe it –they have stood for me all these years. I’m not surprised Harry. Everton know a good man when they see him. Nothing would please Harry better than for Everton to win the League or Cup again. “In my humble little way, and with the help of such a good set of players on and off the field, I will do all in my power to help bring this about. I’ll bet you will. Harry. Cooke has had some grand players through his fingers during his long services at Goodison Park, and has seen many chances, especially in regard to the ground and the clubs offices.
EVERTON IMPROVE THEIR AVERAGE
Everton 4 Blackpool 0 (Game 1666 over-all)-(Div 1 1624)
December 26 1938 Liverpool Daily Post
By Stork
Everton improved their goal average by their 4-0 victory over Blackpool on Saturday, and the score in no way flatter the winners, they were always more convincing than Blackpool, who had no finality about some of their midfield play was quite good. But they were always playing second fiddle to Everton. Who found the hard turf suitable to their type of football. Giillick scored first at 6 minutes from a Lawton pass, and Cunliffe turned and Lawton glide score at 39 minutes. The Everton defence did not find it hard to held the feeble Blackpool forwards, and when Bentham was brought down and cook scored from the penalty spot (from rebound) it was first the goal for Everton. That was at 53 minutes. Everton were so well on top by this time, that they might have had other goals, had they persisted but at they had Blackpool well in their grip they became somewhat flippant. Cunliffe scored a forth goal at 73 minutes, this was a fine point. Although Wallace got his hands to the ball he could not keep it out of his net. Result Everton 4 Blackpool 0.
Lawton did not take the penalty kick because of a strained leg.
Everton, Sagar goals Cook (captain), and Greenhalgh, backs Mercer, Jones (TG), and Watson half-backs Gillick Bentham, Lawton, Cunliffe, and Boyes, forwards. Blackpool Wallace goals, Blair (d), and Sibley, backs, Farrow, Haywood, and Johnston half-backs, Munro, Buchan, Finan, Eastone and Lewis forwards. Referee EC Cadwell attendances, 24,040
GOOD PLAY IN BAD CONITIONS
Everton 2 Derby County 2 (Game 1667 over-all)-(Div 1 1625)
December 26 1938 Liverpool Daily Post,
By Stork
The great Boxing Day match at Goodison Park ended in a draw of two each. It was perhaps an equitable result; for it either had been beaten it would have been unfortunate. The conditions were terrible. The ground was topped with water and hard under the surface of san. This was even worse than a layering of mud, so one had to pay tribute to both sides for an entertaining game. There were mistakes; they could not be avoided but from a spectator’s point of view it was rank bad luck that there was a fog over the ground throughout. At times it lifted; then again it was almost impossible to see where the ball was, and one had to be guided by the flight of the players, who must have been able to see much better than we were. One could see players running about failing and slipping but it was only guesswork as to what was really happening. Everton had one forward and a half-backs changes from the team which routed Blackpool Lawton is suffering from brushed knee bones Bell taking his place while in place of Watson Thomson resumed at left half-back, Everton undoubtedly had the batter of the first half and the Derby County goalkeeper was a much busier man than Sagar. The Derby forwards were grand workmen, but they met a defence which was at the top of its form, and that was why the County attack was held at bay. The same remark can apply to the Derby Defences, for Everton had quite 70 per cent, of the attack so that the half stage was reached with no goals being scored. Boulton made some good saves despite the fact that the ball was very slippery. It skidded away like lighting, and required the most careful watching at all times. The second half was 4 minutes old when Crook swung across a nice-length centre which McCulloch headed to the far side of the goal. The ball actually hit the foot of the post before it finally beat Sagar, who had dived headlong in his attempt to keep it out.
Derby Take Charge it was than that Derby took charge for a period, and it seemed more than likely that the goal would carry the day for Derby called on all hands when Everton launched an attack. Bailey was forever waving his colleagues into the goalmouth which gives you some idea as to how they feared the Everton attack. But it was 20 minutes from the end that Everton got their equaliser, and I very much doubt whether Ward’s tackle on Gillick was harsh enough to warrant the Penalty... Gillick was undoubtedly brought down when he was a possible score. The referee decided it was a penalty and Cook equalized from the spot. There was not long left for play and a draw or 1-1 appeared assured. When Dix shot from far out and Sagar stopped the ball but slipped so that the ball crossed the line. Time 82 minutes. Matters were looking bad from an Everton point of view. They went all out for an equaliser, and 6 minutes from the end a hot tussle In front of the Derby goal saw Gillick shoot home a goal which saved another home defeat. A Grand Game. It was a grand game under trying conditions. Mistakes had to be forgiven, and hard praise to one and all for such earned endenvour on a day quite unsullied to server football. Yet football, when we could see it was amazingly good, some of the passing movements of both sides were astonishingly accurate. One can readily understated why the Derby forwards are rated as the best in the land. They are the best part of the team Dix is the master mind alongside four clever colleagues. Everton found the heavy conditions against them. They are much better on a solid surface Cunliffe should have had a goal and for that matter Boyes had a rather simple chance when he shot wide. But who is going to be hyperentah about any one player under such circumstances? Mercer, Jones Greenhalgh were great defenders. Mercer being particularly effective in defence and attack. The series between the two teams will be resumed at Derby to-day. Lawton has been suffering from an ankle injury and he is hoped to be playing to-day. Everton, Sager, goal, Cook and Greenhalgh backs, Mercer, Jones (tg) and Thomson (captain) half-backs Gillick, Bentham Bell, Cunliffe and Boyes, forwards Derby County, Boulton goal Nicholas, and Lowe, backs Hane Bailey and Ward half-backs, Crooks Astley McCulloch Dix and Duncan forwards, referee FS Milner attendances 55,401.
CENTRAL LEAGUE
Manchester City reserves 0 Everton Reserves 1
December 26 1938, Liverpool Daily Post
Central League (Game 21)
Everton gained a good victory over Manchester City even though they only scored one goal. Several promising ‘’A’’ team players were included and they did well revealing an understanding that was missing from the creditable opponents by the home team. Catterick goals was a grand effort. He received good support from skilful colleagues but the game was ruined as a spectacle due to fog which curtailed visibility to mere yards.
LIVERPOOL COUNTY LEAGUE
Earlestown Bohemians 2 Everton ‘’A’’ 1
December 26, 1938, Liverpool Daily Post
Earlestown Bohemians brought of their finest performance of the season in defeating Everton at Earlestown. The Bohemians were ahead after 35 minutes when O’Reilly netted and shortly before the interval Leicester added a further goal. Everton stated a rally in the second half but although Barnett (g) reduced the arrears. The visitors were enable to get on level terms.
EVERTON BEATEN IN BRILLIANT DUEL.
December 27, 1938. The Evening Express
Derby’s Triumph In Cup-Tie Rehearsal
Cook Completes A Penalty Hat-Trick.
By Pilot.
Derby consolidated their position at the head of the First Division when they beat Everton 2-1 at the Bassball ground in the Cup-tie rehearsal. It was a brilliant game with not a pin to chosen between the sides. Two magnificent soccer machines kept the packed ground thrilled. Seen Everton unfortunate to drop both points, for they enjoyed more of the game. Their finishing was not good. McCulloch’s goal was equalized by Cook from a penalty, and Duncan scored the winner. Tommy Lawton, who had to miss yesterday’s game at Goodison Park owing to an ankle injury, was found to benefit so he took the place of Bell. Everton had no fewer than 18 players in the party, for besides the eleven on duty, there were Britton, gee, Watson, Stevenson, Jack Jones, Jackson and Bell. Jack Jones suffered a cold and could not attend the match. The County were unchanged from yesterday, and long before the start the ground was packed, so these League leaders trotted out to a capacity crowd of 36,000. It speaks volume for Everton’s enthusiasm when I tell you that it was at Lawton’s own request that he turned out. Teams: - Derby County; - Boulton, goal; Nicholas and Howe, backs; Hann, Bailey and Ward, half-backs; Crooks, Astley, McCulloch, Dix and Duncan, forwards. Everton: - Sagar, goal; Cook and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones (T.), and Thomson (captain), half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Cunliffe, and Boyes, forwards. Referee Mr. F.S. Milner (Wolverhampton). Boyes’ failure to challenge Nicholas led to the County getting first bite at the cherry, yet Jones was there to head away. Bentham beat McCulloch and drove over a brilliant pass for Lawton to round Bailey, dash in and hit Boulton with his shot. The ball rolled on towards goal and Lawton followed up, and placed into the net. This happened in three minutes and everyone was surprised when the referee disallowed the goal for offside against Lawton. It appeared a good goal to me. Greenhalgh was dazed by stopping a Crooks centre, and when Nicholas placed to the goalmouth, Dix had an easy chance yet could not dribble the ball along. Sagar dashed out to push the ball around the upright.
Thrills, Speed.
There were thrills in plenty, and the pace was a real cracker. Lawton took over from Gillick, tricked Bailey, and put Cunliffe through for the inside left to hit a left-footer inches by the post. The entire Derby attack participated in a brilliant move which saw Crooks final thrust fell behind his forwards. Gillick came in the picture after fine inter-passing with Bentham only to see his centre diverted to Boulton. The County defence was far from happy, and when Lawton nodded across Bentham was almost through. A close-up free kick brought no grist to Everton’s mill in a game producing seem of the finest forward work I have seen for a long time. Gillick and Lawton forced a corner and from this Bentham headed in brilliant, Howe kicking the ball off the goal line by the post. McCulloch headed in well from Crook’s centre, and the ball cannoned against Jones’ body and Sagar pushed it out. Greenhalgh and Thomson prevented Dix taking the chance. Bailey headed away a fine effort by Bentham, who was having one of his best game. Then Boulton had to dash out to clear from Lawton. The County defence was slow in covering-something new as compared with yesterday’s form –and Everton always promised goals. Dix let loose one of his famous 18-yard pile-drivers and Sagar saved at full length. Lawton headed over from Thomson’s lob free kick, and then, in 30 minutes, McCulloch gave Derby the lead. Cunliffe mis-headed to Duncan, who called on Dix, and the Bristol boy sent Crooks, away. From the centre, McCulloch, headed in, and although Sagar got his hand to the ball he could not prevent it entering the net. The lead flattered Derby, for the Blues had been doing much more of the attacking. Gillick should have equalized after Lawton had put him through, but he held his shot and Boulton was able to get into position. In 37 minutes Everton drew level. It was another Cook penalty –so he has scored in three successive games. His first Penalty against Blackpool on Saturday, was first-ever goal for Everton. Boyes centred from the line, and as Bentham ran in to head through, he was brought down. The referee immediately awarded a penalty from which Cook scored, although Boulton touched the ball. So back to the high ding-dong struggle again, and Sagar had to go full length to save a header from Astley.
Half-Time Derby County 1, Everton 1.
Derby resumed with a quick corner, and Ashley was inches too high with his header. Then we saw a real Lawton effort which had the crowd dumbfounded. Lawton pulled the ball around two men, pushed it forward and followed up with a shot under difficulties which beat Boulton, but which came back off the foot of the post.
Derby Lead.
Derby went a header 51 minutes. Astley seemed to have a shooting chance but he curled the ball await to Duncan who coolly side-stepped Mercer and Cook. As Sagar came out to save the short-range centre he anticipated, Duncan crashed the ball home between Sagar and the post. It should have been all square again, just after when Cunliffe put Gillick through. Gillick despite a fierce tackle, got clear and then shot over with only Boulton to beat. Greenhalgh headed away a low shot from Dix after some good work by Duncan. Boyes and Bentham combined to put Cunliffe clean through, but Boulton flung himself out to make a wonder save at the expense of a corner. From this Cunliffe shot in, but again Boulton saved at full length. Duncan was injured in the 73rd minute. This was the first time a trainer had been on the field in either of the two games. Duncan was able to continue. Gillick missed another fine chance after splendid approach before Boulton saved high up from Cunliffe’s quick shot. Lawton shot over with a snap shot, and then Sagar saved from McCulloch right under the bar. Thomson broke attempt to save the game, only to be beaten as he tried to make his centre. Three times Derby defenders kicked away low centres before Gillick gained a corner. It was defence all the time on Derby’s part. Final Derby County 2, Everton 1.
EVERTON RES V. MAN C. RES
December 27, 1938. Evening Express
The Everton side, which included a sprinkling of “A” team players, showed some smart work in the early stages of the game. The City goal had two narrow escapes when Davies and Barber fired in good shots. After ten minutes the Blues took a well-deserved lead, Catterick taking the rebound and netting smartly after Davies had hit the crossbar. The City left wing showed some smart football, and after 20 minutes McLeod finished a capital run with an equaliser. Everton continued to give a good account of themselves, and after the City keeper had neatly caught a free kick Catterick made a header which almost brought a goal. Everton had a stroke of misfortune when Saunders unluckily turned a shot by Davies into his own goal to place the City ahead. Shortly before the interval Catterick who was a live leader, again leveled the scores.
Half-Time Everton res 2, Manchester City Res 2.
Everton continued to be well on top during the second half, and the City goal was constantly under pressure. Catterick made a splendid run and a shot which flashed just outside the upright and in the following minute Davies tapped the ball just wide. The pressure was eventually rewarded when Lindley placed the Blues ahead from the penalty spot. The Everton halves Milligan in particular, was playing finely, and with the exception of a shot by Heale which Lovett saved smartly, the visitors seldom looked like scoring. The young Everton forwards had done remarkably well in a fast and always interesting game. Final; Everton Res 3, Manchester City Res 2.
WRONG TACTICS COST POINTS
December 27, 1938. The Evening Express
League Leadership Rivals’ Goodison Battle.
By Pilot
The failure to adopt the correct tactics cost Everton points during the holidays. Everton, for their part failed to appreciate that close-passing was of little avail in the prevailing conditions at Goodison Park yesterday, and so dropped a vital home point to their chief rivals Derby County. Everyone admires the side which sets out to play good constructive football, but, as the pitch ruled at Goodison, the tactics against Derby were wrong. Derby, themselves, proved that. Everton must have prayed for a Tommy Johnson in this game –a player who could pick up the loose ball and whip it away to the unmarked winger. Derby had a Johnson in Ronnie Dix, who, throughout, was the mainspring of an attack which was direct yet classic, and who always took the shortest route to goal. Everton had more of the game territorially and in the first half were generally attacking, yet, apart from the gallant Gillick equalizing goal, there was hardly a shot from the five forwards to trouble Boulton. It was left to Gillick to “make” an Everton attack. He was great –no argument bout that –and his goal, in which he beat four men including Boulton to get his chance was a masterpiece. Everton left Crooks too often on his own. Thomson created the wide space by repeatedly moving to the other flank, and Dix’s long passes had Greenhalgh beaten. Everton honours went to Mercer, Cook, and Gillick. Sagar played splendidly except for the second goal, when the shot from Dix bounced over him into the net after he had touched the ball. Cook bagged his second goal in successive matches by ramming home an unstoppable shot from the penalty spot, after Gillick had been brought down. McCulloch had given Derby the lead with a grand header after Crooks had been left on his own, and given time to gauge his centre. Dix’s spectaulative shot gave Derby the lead again, but straightaway came that grand Gillick effort. This was a difficult game to follow because of the fog and rain, but I can say, definitely, that it was the cleanest match I have seen for years. It was a tribute to the position of both clubs. Derby strike me as being a great side and they are going to take some stopping. The official attendance at Goodison Park yesterday was 55,401 and the receipts £3,900.
Everton’s First “Double.”
By Watcher.
Everton, challengers to Derby County for First Division leadership, gained their first “double” of the season when they beat Blackpool 4-0 at Goodison on Saturday. The Blues won 2-0 at Bloomfield in the first league match of the season. There was no comparison between the sides at Goodison, Everton, thanks to goals by Cunliffe (2), Gillick and Cook (penalty) won with ease. Blackpool fought hard in midfield but faded out near goal. The introduction of Cunliffe in place of the injured Stevenson added punch’ to the Everton front line, and although Lawton was well held by Hayward, the Blues were always dangerous –without being fully extended. But for brilliant work by Wallace, the Blackpool goalkeeper. Everton might have reached double figure.
EVERTON TO REST AT LUCKY DEEPDANE.
December 27, 1938. Evening Express
Pilot Sports Log
Everton revive memories of their great 3-0 F.A. Cup final win over Manchester City this week. They are going to the place where they completed their training for the 1933 cup triumph. This is Deepdene, a spot at Dorking among the Surrey rhododendrons –not in bloom at the moment. Recently Mr. Thoe Kelly, the club secretary spent a day in Mr. Tom Bromilow’s car, pursing the London area trying to find a training centre. Tom, by the way is manager of Crystal Palace. Finally they decided that Deepdane had brought good luck, and so the Blues, after today’s tilt at Derby County, will rest there until Saturday morning.
Memories.
I have happy memories of Deepdene. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Will Cuff, the Everton chairman at the time. I was granted the privilege of going to Deepdane with Everton for those pre-Wembley days. Apart from the players and Harry Cooke, the trainer, there were only the late Mr. Tom McIntosh, secretary, and myself with the party until the arrival of the late Mr. Jack Sharp on the Friday night. I recall announcing the award of a famous Wolfe Cup for putting; how Warney Cresswell plucky some virgin roots of the rhododendrons for his Wirral garden; how there were doubts about the fitness of Jimmy Dunn; how the final was forgotten. Yes, happy memories which, who knows may soon be repeated. Or, will it be Liverpool this time? Well, Liverpool, were at Deepdene before the Blues landed.
A NOTABLE FEAT
December 27, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
So far as Evertonians are concerned the most notable feat of the week-end was Cook’s two goals, one in each game. This is Cook’s first “offence” and while he had to have two tries at the Blackpool penalty, he made no error at the first time of asking with the one against Derby. These are the only occasions this season that a goal has been scored for Everton other than by forwards. All last season there was only one from a defender, Thomson getting the orphan against Sunderland last April. Torry Gillick’s form this season has been a revelation. Now he has started on the goal trail in real earnest, and in the last seven matches has scored five times, bring his total to seven in all. His vintage year was a couple of seasons ago, when he got fourteen, so that if he keeps on as he has recently, there is every chance of the figure being exceeded. I like the way Gillick veers to an open space in the middle of the field when an attack is developing on the opposite wing. Sometimes it is made to look as though he is not in the right place, when a pass is placed to where he normally would be if he struck to the orthodox winging principles, but he sniffers then for the mistakes of others, who have failed to “twig” his inward drift.
LOST IN THE FOG
December 27, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
Did you see the Everton-Derby game? I saw some of it, for quite a lot of it was a black-out for those in the stand seats. The fog was never really dense but it was thick enough at times to make it possible to see what was going on the far side of the field. Fog was our great trouble; put what of the players trouble. They had fog, a water-logged surface to work on, and a ball which skidded like lightning away from them I feel the game would have been a classical under normal conditions. Not that it was not good even as it was, for spite the terrible conditions, some of the play was of high class. It is may firm opinion that Everton are much better on a firm turf. They do not work the same swing on muddy grounds, and were inclined at times to he too scientific what time Derby were flinging the ball about making full use of the wings where the foothold was much better. Everton were more dominant to the first half and Boulton had more work to do than Sagar, but I could see danger in the Derby line, and it was well that the Everton defence was at the peak of its form. These star Derby forwards move forward like one man when they are attacking, with Dix the leading light in making openings. Everton were more individualistic with the defence playing very well together. There may be a touch of age in the County front line, but there is also a whole lot of skill and neither Duncan nor Crook seen to be feeling the effects of their years in football. Great craftsman, both, and dangerous men to any defence. There were no goals until the second half when McCulloch, the County leader, headed a Crooks cross right away from Sagar the ball striking the upright on its way to the net. Sagar made a superhuman effort to turn it round the post but was unsuccessful. That goal appeared to be a winning one, for Everton lost their grip on the game for a period, Derby getting on top. Then came a penalty award against Ward. It was a harsh verdict, for in my opinion Ward played the ball. Gillick went down when he had a scoring chance and there was no great appeal for the penalty kick. Cook took it and scored, so that he has got two goals in three days, after going right through to last Saturday without one to his credit. A draw again. Off they went once more with but ten minutes let to play. Within two minutes, Dix fired in a long length shot, and although Sagar got his hands to it he slipped up in the mud and fell, the ball going over the line. With so little time remaining it seemed a certainty that Derby would win the first of their series of games with Everton, but in a goal-mouth scramble seven minutes from the end Gillick shot the ball in the Derby net. A draw was perhaps a true result. Both teams can argue that they should have won, and rightly so, for it was anyone’s game. I felt sorry for the players. They had given of their best, I am not going to individualities, but if I had to name a player of players, I would say Mercer and Dix. The series will be resumed at Derby today, I doubt weather Lawton and Stevenson will play at the Baseball Ground. They are suffering from the same complaint bruised knee bones.
DUNCAN GETS THE WINNER
December 27, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
Cook’s Penalty Kick Habit.
Third In 3 Games.
Brilliant Moves In Lively Game.
A great game. Everton gave as good as they received. A disallowed goal by Lawton was a setback, and Derby had a hard job to win. Cook scored his third penalty goal in three matches. Teams: - Derby County; - Boulton, goal; Nicholas and Howe, backs; Hann, Bailey and Ward, half-backs; Crooks, Astley, McCulloch, Dix and Duncan, forwards. Everton: - Sagar, goal; Cook and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones (T.), and Thomson (captain), half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Cunliffe, and Boyes, forwards. Referee Mr. F.S. Milner (Wolverhampton). In case of emergency Everton took eighteen players to Derby for the big game at the Baseball ground today. It was an entirely different day to yesterday, for instead of fog we had a good light, and the ground, while being well sanded, was soft to the tread. Lawton wanted to play; it was left to the option of the player, so Lawton was the only change in the Everton team. The Baseball ground does not hold a tremendous crowd 37,000 being the record and this did not appear likely to be broken for there were plenty of vacant seats in the stands. The terraces were closely packed and people were being passed down to the front over the heads of the crowd. The excursion train from Liverpool brought 190 Everton follows. McCulloch was soon on the scene with a long pass to Crooks, who was beaten by Greenhalgh. Dix then showed up with an ankle glide to Crooks, whose centre looked dangerous until Jones headed away. Everton netted in three minutes and the offside decision given against them was a bad one. Lawton ran round Bailey and then shot, Boulton saving the fierce shot but being unable to hold the ball. Lawton followed up and put the ball into the net –a perfectly legitimate goal in my opinion, the one doubtful question being whether Lawton would have scored, for it must be remembered that Boulton had heard the whistle and was not bothering unduly. Sagar had his full quota of work in the next few minutes, saving from Dix and Astley, what time Greenhalgh was lying injured over the goal-line. Everton’s narrow escape, however, was when a ball was shot at their goal. Sagar was not “at home,” and he had to gallop back, and saw the ball slowly pass outside his upright.
Sweeping Passes.
Derby were grand for ten minutes, until Lawton collected the ball on the left and shot well for the goal, Boulton saving. Cunliffe also went close from just inside the penalty area. Some of Derby’s attacking plans were nothing short of brilliant, and they did it all with amazing accuracy and the sweeping pass. It was thrilling, and Everton had their moments. Bentham was robbed in the last second, and Lawton gave Gillick a perfect opening the shot going outside. Everton who had felt the full might of the Derby star attack, came more into the game, and Howe had to kick away a header from Bentham.
Cook’s Reply To McCulloch.
Boulton was called upon several times, and when Bentham shot Bailey leaped up to head away. Dix was well on the mark, but Sagar was ready for it. It was great football by both sides, and the opening goal was the result of bonny play. Duncan started it and the ball went from Dix to Crooks, whose centre was safely home by McCulloch, after thirty minutes. Sagar got his hands to the ball, which passed over his head. Derby’s attack were more clear-cut than those of Everton, who had quite as much of the game and at 37 minutes they were on equal terms through a penalty kick. Bentham was brought down by a violent charge. Cook again took his kick and scored. Boulton getting his fist to the ball without being able to keep it out of the net. Cook thus scored from a penalty for the third time in successive games. Duncan was spoken to and the crowd showed the resentment of the referee as he left at the interval.
Half-Time Derby County 1, Everton 1.
It had been a wonderful first half until a little feeling crept in, following the penalty? The referee again came in for a bad time when he resumed. The Country got right into their stride, and Astley headed over from a corner, Lawton almost secured a goal when he shot on the foot of the upright, with the Derby defence beaten. Everton had got a grip on the game and looked like holding it. But this game could change as quickly as a woman’s mind. Astley tried a shot which went over to the left wing.
A Cheeky Goal.
Duncan was standing waiting, the ball came to him, but when he decided to dribble he seemed to be throwing away his chance, for the Everton defence was able to get at him, but he still went on and scored one of the sauciest goals I have ever seen. His angle was bad, but he managed to squeeze the ball into the net.
Gillick Misses A Chance.
Gillick had an opportunity of equalizing when he had Boulton alone to beat. He could have passed to Lawton; he could have tried to beat the goalkeeper; he elected to shoot, and put the ball over the bar. Everton were making a bonny fight of it, and Cunliffe forced Boulton to make a great save under the bar. Later Boulton had to go full length to keep out a ground shot made by the same player. Everton were the more dangerous side, and Bentham was unfortunate to find his shot blocked by Bailey. Gillick was tripped as he was going through, and had he fallen he was certain to get a penalty. He retained his feet and possession of the ball but was ultimately robbed of it. McCulloch made a great effort to get another goal, missing by less than a yard. Boyes was too prone to dribble. He was hesitant when he should have shot. Everton had got Derby well held down to defence and Boulton saved from Gillick and Cunliffe. Sagar caught and held a centre from Duncan. Cunliffe should have scored when Lawton placed him a quick shot being all that was needed. Cunliffe left it too long and a good chance was wasted. A free kick against Everton saw McCulloch head under the bar, Sagar punching the ball away. Lawton went close and a Crookes’ centre almost beat Sagar, who tried to sweep it across his goal. It had been a fine game Everton’s finish might have been better. They had held the whip hand in the later stages of the second half. Final Derby County 2, Everton 1.
EVERTON LACK FINISH
Derby County 2 Everton 1 (Game 1668 over-all)-(Div 1 1626)
December 28 1938. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Stork
It is not of much account at this time of day that Everton should have won their game with Derby County at the Baseball ground yesterday, but that is the actual fact for on balance of play Everton were top dogs. Derby, however, scored two goals to Everton’s one, and that was the one place where Everton failed. When Lawton netted for Everton in three minutes there was joy among the 200 odd Liverpool people present, but their joy was short lived. The referee disallowed the goal on what we thought was an off-side infringement. If Mr. Milner had given an off-side decision it was palpably wrong for Lawton had run round Bailey before he shot for Boulton to make a half-save, Lawton carrying on, collecting the clearance and putting the ball into the net. It was not until after the game that we got the real reason for the disallowing of the goal. The referee said that Lawton had fouled Bailey. Well MR. Milner must have seen something which not one in the stand had seen, for Lawton seemed clear of Bailey by a matter of yards. However, the goal was negative and that is all that matters now. What effect it would have had on the trend of the game no one can say, but it is more then likely that it would have altered it slightly. It was a grand game throughout, and made us think of what was in store on January 7, when the pair meet again in the third round of the cup. It would be difficult to say which team will win, for although the County have taken 3 out of 4 points from Everton in the League games they may not win in the cup. They found it hard enough to hold Everton, who had 70 per cent of the second half, and should have won with the chances at their disposal. Even when Derby were doing so well by their swinging ways. Everton were giving their defence a whole lot of trouble by different methods. Swinging Passes
The County swung the ball out to the wings in clear-cut fashion. Everton, by contrast, made progress by shorter passing. It was a thriller from start to finish. Plenty of incident, plenty of excellent football, and although Everton were beaten, they were far from disgraced. Even Mr. George Jobey himself said that Everton missed their chances. Cunliffe, once perfectly placed, had only to shoot to be assured of the equalizer, but he wanted to kill the ball, and the lost moments cost him his chance. Gillick also missed an easy one, and Boulton made fine saves from Cunliffe and was once fortunate to see a Lawton shot hit the foot of the post. So you will gather how Everton fought to avoid defeat. I never wish to see a more pulsating game first it was one side, which produced the thrill then the other, and so it went on from start to finish. I liked the way the County opened the game with long passes, and by the same token I liked the way the Everton defence dealt with their opponents’ thrusts. Derby cut out any semblance of fancy work and went straight to their objective and at 30 minutes McCulloch got his head to a Crook centre and although Sagar got his hands to the ball, he could not keep it out of his net. Within 7 minutes Everton had equalised through a penalty kick goal by Cook who has scored 3 goals from penalties in 3 games. Isn’t it strange that until this week-end, he had never scored a League goal for Everton? The referee was booed for his decision, but he was perfectly justified. Duncan’s Effort ai in the first half the County forwards made smashing efforts to get in front again, but Everton stood solid against their every effort until at 49 minutes Duncan gathered the ball just inside the penalty area to the left hand side of the goal. When he started to dribbled I though he was reducing his prospect, but he scored with a saucy shot which completely beat Sagar. It was a cheeky goal, to say the least. Everton promised to pluck the game out of the fire, and should have had at least a draw, if not a win. Boulton was a lucky man to see Lawton’s shot bump up against the upright, and, as I have already mentioned the chances were there for the taking. It was only in the finished that Everton were scored, for they attacked incessantly and had the Derby defence anxious more than once. I know that if and puts have no place in Football, but I say definitely that had Everton been better finish=hers, they would have won a handsome victory.
TEAMS Derby County, Bolton goal, Nicholson, and Howe, backs, Han, Bailey and Ward half-backs, Crooks, Astley, McCulloch, Dix, Duncan:- Everton, Sagar, goal, Cook, and Greenhalgh, backs, Mercer, Jones, and Thomson (captain), half-backs, Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Cunliffe, Boyes, Referee FS Milner. Attendance 35,683
EVERTON RESERVES 3 MANCHESTER CITY RESERVES 2
December 27, 1938 The Liverpool Daily Post
Central League (Game 22)
Everton were good winners of a hard fought game. The home side were stronger in all departments, particularly at half-backs where Lindley Edwards and Milligan were generally too good for the visitors attack. The forwards were all in grand form but special mention must be made of Catterick’s at centre in place of Bell. He had led the line in clever manner and had the satisfaction of scoring twice; the third goal was obtained by Lindley, who converted a penalty. For City Robinson McLeod Heale and Dawes were best. McLeod and Saunders (own goal) were the City scorers.
COOK-PENALTY KING
December 28, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes.
Many a true work is spoken in jest. When Willie Cook scored his second penalty goal in successive matches at Goodison Park on Boxing Day. I jokingly remarked to a neighbor that it would be a red-letter day if he could make it a “hat-trick” in the return game yesterday. And so it turned out. It must be a record in League football for a full back to score a goal in three successive games. Speaking from memory, and not from the book I cannot recall a similar case. Cook is now leading scorer among First Division full backs, but among all defenders Galley of Wolves leads the way with five (four penalities), plus one when he appeared at inside right.
Up From The “Nursery”
Many a good performance among reserve sides is born to blush unseen. A couple which deserved the limelight was achieved by Everton Reserves, who took full point from home and away games against Manchester City this Christmas with what to all intents and purpose was almost the “A” team eleven. There were four “A” men in defence and four in the forward line in each match, the explanation being that the usual Central League players had been kept back to fill all possible gaps caused by first team injuries against Derby County. Manchester City Reserves are one of the strongest sides in the Central League which makes the Blues’ victories all the more impressive. With players of the caliber in the third string –to say nothing of the promising youngsters of 16 and 17 years of age in the “B” team –Everton can look to the future with confidence. I have always been a warm supporter of the policy of a club bringing on its own youngsters at a steady pace, nursing and blooding them gently and acclimatizing them slowly. I know the drawbacks, but I am convinced it is not only the best but in the long run the cheapest method of filling first team gaps. Mr. Harold Pickering, who manages the “A” team and has got together the personnel of the “B” team must be well pleased with the promised of good things to come which these lads are holding out.
WHAT A CUP-TIE!
December 28, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
What a Cup-tie this is going to be between Everton and Derby County at the Baseball ground next Saturday week. True, Derby had the better of the two League games, at least in the matter of points, but that does not say that they will beat Everton at the next meeting. There were hundreds left standing outside the ground yesterday,; there will be thousands on January 7, for everyone will want to see the football classic, for it promises to be that and more. It was the equal of any Cup-tie I have seen for some time. Better, in fact for there was not that “spike” one sees in the tournament. Only once did the trainer go on the field. Just for one or two minutes was there any feeling in the game, and that was immediately following the penalty award. It was one of the most pulsating games you could wish to see. Not a second’s idleness. To take one’s eyes off the game for a moment meant that you missed something. Jack was as good as his master, for although Everton lost they were just as good as Derby, only in a different way Derby took the straight course, Everton a more intriguing way, and each brought the desired result. The County’s place were more clear cut for those sweeping passes out to the wings were danger-laden, and I would have liked to see Everton copying the style for a player can gain yards in the smallest space of time. I like the County’s way of moving up in the first half, when they gave the Everton defence many anxious moments, but the County defenders were even more anxious later on, and were distinctly fortunate to win. They will never have a harder game at the Baseball Ground.
A Perfect Goal.
Everton labored under a sense of injustice from the start, for at three minutes Lawton scored what I considered a perfect goal. We in the stands thought the referee had given him offside but after the match he explained the reason why he disallowed the goal. He said Lawton had fouled Bailey. Not one person in the stand saw that foul, for when Lawton ran round Bailey he seemed yards away from him. Arguments are of no account at this time of day, but that good probably had its effect on the game. Instead of being a goal up, they had to battle along with that grievance in their minds. McCulloch’s goal was a peach of a header from Crook’s and Duncan’s point was sauciness itself. He dribbled beyond three men and I feared he would lose his chance, but he squeezed the ball home. The penalty kick was hotly discussed but I give credit to Mr. Milner –a good referee this –for a righteous decision. It is a case of violent charging and no other decision would have fitted the case. Cook scored his third goal in succession from the spot after going for nearly 200 games without a goal to his credit. The referee got some nasty things said about him for that penalty goal, but took not the slightest notice of them. A strong man, Mr. Milner. Everton should have won. I know it is no use having all the chances if they are not taken. It cuts no ice for goals are the salt of the game. Mr. George Jobey himself admitted that Everton had the chance to win. Cunliffe and Gillick both missed simple chances, and Lawton shot on to the upright with Boulton beaten. It was grand football and on such form Everton will win more games than they will lose. But the easy chances must be taken. It is no good crying after the match. They had Derby bottled down to defence and the openings were there. They were not taken. You cannot blame Derby can you?
• Stevenson accompanied the Everton to their Dorking headquarters last night, and is certain to play against Brentford on Saturday. His bruised knee is mending rapidly.
EVERTON BACK TO THE USUAL X1
December 28, 1938. The Evening Express.
Stevenson Returns For Brentford Game.
By Pilot
Everton will revert to their usual formation for Saturday’s return Football League engagement with Brentford, at Griffin Park. Stevenson, who has missed the last three matches, owing to injury, returns to inside-left in place of Cunliffe, and so the eleven will be that which opened the season and which defeated the Bees at Goodison Park. Everton; Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. The players are now at Deepdene, Dorkiung, and will return home after the match and proceed to Harrogate for cup training the following day. They deserve a rest after their two stirring with Derby County, their cup and league rivals. The County took three points out of the four, and have widened the gap at the head of the First Division, but that fact does not mean the Blues are going out of the cup at first pop.
That Lawton “Goal.”
If Everton had taken their scoring opportunities at Derby yesterday they would have won well. Certain it is that the Blues were unfortunate to lose for in three minutes Lawton scored what I thought was a legimate goal. Everyone thought it was disallowed because of offside –although this was out of the question –but later the referee said he disallowed it because Lawton fouled Bailey. In my view Lawton was already in possession when he swept by Bailey, who was a couple of yards away. They did not even touch each other. A goal at that stage would have inspired a fine all-round Everton, who with a little more snap may create a cup sensation. Everton’s way to cup success, after seeing these two league encounters, is by adopting an effective Derby tactic. This is the crossfield pass as exploited by Dix and Astley and which, in 1933 helped Everton to lift the cup. The main difference between the Blues and the County is that the Derby players are quicker in making their passes. They “kill” and pass in one rhythmic motion. Everton are inclined to hold the ball longer and progress by shorter passes. More speed in development will serve the Blues on January 7, but more important is the ability to take scoring opportunities. Lawton missed nothing yesterday. He created shooting chances, and one effort, when he hit a post, was magnificent. Gillick and Cunliffe were not blameless when it came to accuracy in finishing, although Gillick was brilliant in approach. Boyes never touched his real form. The Blues were well served at half back, with Tom Jones the finest player afield and Mercer a close second. Cook and Greenhalgh never played a foot wrong at back, and Sagar did some brilliant things in goal, although he could not be blameless when Duncan scored the Country’s winning goal after McCulloch and Cook (Penalty) had scored in the first half. This was a thrill-a-second contest, better than the Monday game at Goodison. It was football at its best from start to finish, and on January 7 I am expecting one of the greatest-ever cup-ties.
EVERTON GONE TO DORKING
December 29, 1938
The Liverpool Daily Post
After the rush of holiday fixtures. Club managers are surveying their staffs, Everton were minus the services of Lawton against Derby at Goodison Park, and Stevenson stood down for the two games against the Leaders. Stevenson accompanied the Everton players to Dorking where they are to rest before their game at Brentford on Saturday. It is expected that Stevenson will be fit for the match; his bruised knee is mending rapidly.
TAKE CHANCES, EVERTON
December 30, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork.
We get back to more normal times this week-end for Everton have only one game before Cup-tie date, and that is at Brentford, where last year they played the best game of the season yet lost by three clear goals. If ever a side deserved victory that day it was Everton, but they could not take it because goalkeeper Crozier stood in their path, playing an inspired game, and other little things which went in favour of the Bees. I well remember meeting some of the Everton directors who had been at the game and who had to stand on the bare score. They thought their team had been outplayed until I assured them that they had played their best game of the season. What is in store for Everton at Brentford tomorrow? The Bees are going through a dismal period which did not seem possible after the way they played at Goodison park, but such is the change in future’s wheel. Up today and down tomorrow, that is how it goes with some clubs. They must be feeling the loss of McCulloch, although he was not playing for Brentford as he is for Derby County, I could not understand why the Middlesex club let him go, for his place has not been successfully filled since his departure.
They Can Win If –
Everton, who will have their full team out (Alec Stevenson has recovered from his knee injury), have a stiff task on hand for Brentford have been showing a slight improvement recently. They can win if they will take their chances. This has been their great failure in recent weeks. Games which should have been who have been lost through bad finishing which is not commensurate with their league position. Should Griffin Park be on the heavy side, Everton should know what they have to do. Derby County showed how to make the long pass pay, and so for that matter did Charlton. Finery has no place on a muddy surface. It is no place to attempt short passing, and has Everton forgotten the “scissors” pass the best pass in the game? One rarely sees it exploited today. The return of Stevenson will add punch to the attack, for while Cunliffe scored two goals over the holiday he should have had four of five.
A Word To Boyes.
Boyes must cut out some of his “jinking”; his running back when he has possession. It is only a waste of time, and sometimes a waste of energy, for by the time the centre comes along the defence has built itself up against it. Now, Walter, the quicker, you get the ball into the middle the more chances your colleagues have of beating the more open defence at least that is the way I look at it. With Derby at home it is imperative that Everton should win at Brentford. Those three points will want some pulling back. There is a chance of two at griffin Park, where Brentford are not so hot these days, and if all chances are taken. Team; Everton: - Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Brentford: - Crozier; Gorman, Poyser; Briddon, James, Seddon; Hopkins, McAloon, Townsend, A.N. Other, Smith.
EVERTON’S SECOND “DOUBLE” CHANCE
December 30, 1938. The Evening Express.
But Brentford Will Be Hard To Beat
By Pilot.
Everton tomorrow will have a chance to record their second “double” of the season. They visit Brentford, at Griffin Park. When the clubs met at Goodison Park the Blues prevailed by two goals to one. Since then the Brentford side has undergone many changes and it is doubtful whether more than six men who figured in the first meeting will be on duty tomorrow. Ateman, Brown, McCulloch, Eastham and Reid will be absentees, whereas Everton will field precisely the same eleven. The Bees have a difficulty regarding the inside-left position. Their two amateurs, A. H. Gibbons, and M. Edelston, will be playing in the amateur international trial. Everton will also be out to record their fifth away win of the season, but the job on hand is no sinecure. Brentford are fighting every inch of the way to improve their position. They have 17 points from 21’ matches. Are bottom of the league. However, having had a week’s rest at Deepdene in which to recover from the Christmas strain of three games in four days, I think the Blues are capable of securing their “double” –especially if the forwards finish with more accuracy than at Derby. . Team; Everton: - Sagar; Cook, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Thomson; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Stevenson, Boyes. Brentford: - Crozier; Gorman, Poyser; Briddon, James, Seddon; Hopkins, McAloon, Townsend, A.N. Other, Smith.
STEVENSON OUT OF BRENTFORD MATCH
December 31, 1938. The Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel
It was expected that Stevenson, who joined his colleagues at Dorking during the week would be able to play, but his injured knee has yet not yielded to treatment, so that Cunliffe will again take his place as partner to Boyes. Cunliffe was sent for Yesterday and he travelled to Dorking. Stevenson’s injury came about in the match which Charlton Athletic two weeks ago. The nature of the injury to his knee is as yet unknown. I believe the returned to Liverpool Yesterday.
EVERTON LACK FINISH
December 31, 1938. The Evening Express
Brentford Take Their Chances
Two Goals By Townsend
By Pilot.
A weak first half display cost Everton the points at Brentford. Brentford won 2-0. Everton were forced to make a late change. Stevenson’s knee, had been giving him trouble at Dorking, and he was sent back to Liverpool for an examination by a specialist. Cunliffe travelled down and so appeared for the fourth successive game at inside left. Brentford had Brown at left half for Sneddon. There were 30,000 spectators present at the start. Teams: - Brentford; - Crozier, goal; Gorman and Poyser, backs; Briddon, James, and Brown, half-backs; Scott, Hopkins, McAloon, Townsend, and Smith, forwards. Everton: - Sagar, goal; Cook and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones (TG), and Thomson (captain), half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Cunliffe and Boyes, forwards. Referee Mr. J. H. Wright (Derby). Brentford thanks to the jugglery of McAloon, appeared a potent force, but twice. Cook’s timely intervention prevented Sagar being troubled. Gillick got through splendidly, and sent in a pass which Lawton placed on the root of the grandstand. Next a brilliant piece of inter-passing between Scott and Smith ended in Smith shooting just outside from a narrow single. Bentham broke through on his own from Greenhalgh’s lob pass, but just as he was about to shoot, he was tackled by Brown, and Crozier did the rest. Everton had a lucky escape when Smith showed speed and style on the left after being adroitly fed by McAloon. His centre was headed against the face of the bar by McAloon and as Townsend tried to hook it through, Jones came through with the winning tackle. The Bee also had their lucky moment when Gillick nipped in to intercept a short pass-back, and Brentford were only too glad to escape in the expense of a corner, from which Bentham with everything in his favour, placed outside. Brentford were especially fierce with their tackling, but all of it was in the bounds of correctness.
Brentford Lead.
In 18 minutes Thomson in holding off Hopkins, was adjudged to have fouled him on the goal line. Hopkins took the free kick, and this was misjudged by Sagar, who was caught out of position. As Sagar overbalanced and fell to the ground, Townsend dashed in and headed into the net in brilliant style. Brentford quicker on the ball, and this nipped in the bud several promising close-passing movements by the Blues. A centre from Smith brought more danger to Everton, but Townsend and McAloon both ignored the offer, before Sagar went full length in rather uncertain manner to save from Upton. Lawton beat two men in brilliant style only to be brought down by James. The free kick was easily disposed of before Crozier took a shot from Gillick on his chest. Everton were not playing in anything like their real style, and Hopkins quick centre enabled Scott to take a shot on the run. This Sagar saved. Everton had a chance to level matters when Boyes slipped through a pass which sent Lawton between the backs. Lawton, however, delayed his shot just that fraction and James shot out a “safety” foot. Gillick came well over to the left wing in an effort to get the Everton forward machine working, but Cunliffe made only a half-hearted attempt to deliver his shot. Thomson’s header, badly judged, placed Brentford on the attack, and Hopkins pushed the ball between Sagar’s legs to gain a corner. This had been a poor half so far as Everton were concerned; in fact, I have not seen them play so poorly this year.
Half-Time Brentford 1, Everton 0.
Cunliffe and Bentham changed places on resuming, when Everton showed vastly improved form, their combination being more accurate. Brentford were kept out on the defence apart from a great run by Smith, who almost caught Sagar napping with his short, inward pass. Another free kick got Everton into trouble, but this time Sagar made a brilliant save off Townsend’s header. Gillick placed a high centre into the goalmouth and with Lawton worrying Crozier, the ball was bouncing into the net when James came to the rescue by heading around the post. Boyes ran half the length of the field with the ball, only to finish with a weak centre. In 67 minutes Brentford went further ahead. Townsend again being the scorer. Thomson seemed to have a high bouncing centre well covered, but the ball bounced higher than he expected and passed over his head. McAloon pushed the ball forward, and Townsend ran on to place into the net. The goalkeeper did the only thing possible –he came out to try to smother the shot. This second goal was hardly deserved, for Everton had been doing all the good work this half without being able to bring any shots to bear on Crozier. Crozier saved from Bentham high up before Bentham missed an open goal after good work by Boyes. Final Brentford 2, Everton 0.
EVERTON STUNG T BRENTFORD.
December 31, 1938. The Liverpool Football Echo.
Bees Tackle Keenly To Win.
Townsend’s Double
By Stork.
Everton did not touch their known form. They had no shots. Their first half display was the poorest this season. Speed was Brentford’s strong point. Teams: - Brentford; - Crozier, goal; Gorman and Poyser, backs; Briddon, James, and Brown, half-backs; Scott, Hopkins, McAloon, Townsend, and Smith, forwards. Everton: - Sagar, goal; Cook and Greenhalgh, backs; Mercer, Jones (TG), and Thomson (captain), half-backs; Gillick, Bentham, Lawton, Cunliffe and Boyes, forwards. Referee Mr. J. H. Wright (Derby). The Everton team arrived up from Dorking this morning, the only absentee being Stevenson, who returned home yesterday, his knee not being quite fit enough to stand the strain. He will be examined by a specialist. The Everton directors wisely decided not to take any chances and wired for Cunliffe, who travlled down yesterday. There was a good attendance, and the ground, after the heavy snowfall earlier in the week, was on the heavy side. The Brentford left wing opened with an attack and Scott had a shot blocked in the first half minute. Cook was the saving grace on two occasions and then Everton made play on the right and from the centre Lawton took a first time shot which finished almost on the roof of the stand. Lawton, Bentham, and Gillick, by good class combination, broke down the Brentford defence, but there was no finishing stroke. Gorman made a big clearance and Brentford worked their way into the Everton penalty area, and although they looked dangerous no material damage was done. Smith the Bees’ outside left was a strong raider, and he it was who caused Everton the most trouble. Twice he swung across dangerous looking centres, but there was no colleagues up to accept them. McAloon was the engineer of most of Brentford’s attack, and he himself should have a goal. He headed against the Everton crossbar when he should have netted. The ball came back into play and Townsend was only just beaten Jones. Brentford were not playing like bottom-of-the-Leaguers, for they framed nice attacks, but found a strong Everton defence.
Goal-A-Match Townsend.
One-goal-per-match Townsend had not had much chance thus far, for Jones was sticking close to him, but when be did get a chance he took it willingly. Hopkins from a free kick, dropped the ball across the Everton goalmouth. Sagar and Townsend went up for the ball together. Sagar seemed to misjudge the fight of the ball and slipped over, and as he did so Townsend headed into the net, after eighteen minutes. Brentford’s tackling was much keener than that of Everton, and as a consequence they had more of the ball and certainly more chances. Hopkins went close and when Lawton was going through, having beaten one man, James brought him to earth, but the free kick was cleared. Corners these days are of little account. Sagar dived for a Hopkins shot and did not seem to be too sure about it. He kept the ball out, but not about it. He kept the ball out, but not in his usual confident Sagar manner. Greenhalgh who was only freed from the agony of a boil on his forehead this morning, was putting up a strong challenge to Brentford’s best wing. Everton had not settled down to their usual type of game. Brentford were somewhat to blame. A mistake by Thomson almost proved fatal to Everton. Brentford got a corner from it, but again the corner kick was not made use of. Brentford’s speed was the secret of their success and the reason for Everton’s moderate display. A lovely round of passing by Brentford’s halves and forwards ended when Smith failed to anticipate a forward pass from the inside left. Hopkins tested Sagar with a ground shot, Everton almost equalized in the last half-minute.
Half-Time Brentford 1, Everton 0.
Brentford set off in the second half at a pace to which Everton had no answer. Smith ran right across the ground to take a corner off Thomson, and then Sagar had to edge a fine effort by Townsend. When Everton attacked there was no bite about them, so that the Bees defence was not sorely troubled. Lawton was bundled off the ball quite fairly by James. James is always in the thick of it, and he saved his goal when Crozier dropped a Gillick shot and kicked the ball out as it was bouncing into the net. Cunliffe was operating at inside right this half. Everton improved slightly at least they were giving the Brentford defence more to do than hitherto. Everton had some bad luck when a pass Gillick rattled between the feet and again when a tricky shot by Bentham was luckily intercepted. Boyes was once out on his own. He tricked one player, and delayed his centre so that Lawton could get into position, but lo and behold he failed to lift it into the goalmouth and Poyser took his pass, and was thankful to do so. “Bentham was able to shoot with such strength that Crozier had to go to his knees. Smith was at fault when offered a good chance. Brentford were not now dominating matters; in fact, Everton were now calling the tune without getting anything tangible except the knowledge that they were forcing affairs. What was the good of that, however, with Brentford leading. A misheader by Thomson left Townsend with an open goal. Sagar did the only thing possible –ran out Townsend shot, and although Sagar did his best to save the situation the ball landed in the net after 67 minutes. Cook, who had scored three goals in three matches, tried for a fourth with a free kick, taken from the touch line, and Crozier had to punch away and let others take the onus of clearing. Final; Brentford 2, Everton 0.
REHEARSALS THAT SHOULD SERVE EVERTON BEST
December 31, 1938. The Liverpool Echo
Lost Points Don’t Mean A Wembley Failure.
A Matter Of Style
By Stork.
The Cup draw played one of the most scurvy tricks imaginable when it linked the names of Derby County and Everton to meet in the third round. Such a meeting would have made a admirable final for Wembley, but a football draw is no respector of persons, or clubs. That these two teams, the best in the country at the moment, should be asked to play the “first” round is tragic; for it means that one or the other mist go ere the tournament has started. But there it is, Everton have to go to the Baseball ground next Saturday. I have seen their two League games and although the County came out best with three points, I am not so sure that they will win the Cup-tie. I have a hunch, whatever that may be, that Everton will turn the tables on the Country; perhaps not at the first time of asking. No matter the result, this game is likely to be the equal of a famous tie at Goodison Park a few years back, against Sunderland. The one pity is that the baseball ground does not hold more than 37,000, for twice the number will want to see this, the best tie of the round. Derby County have not won one of football’s honours in their long history, both the League championship and the Cup have been out of their reach, bit if ever there was a chance of changing history, Derby have it this season for they have never had a better team than today, not even in the days of the great Steve Bloomer or Harace Barnes, the man with the rusty left foot. On the other hand, Everton won football’s premier honours as recently as 1933 and a few season before that took the League championship after they had won the Second Division title the year before. It is an intriguing match, and who would like to name the winner? On the season’s form it looks like Derby, but I will never forget the day we went to Sunderland with our hearts in our boots because we appeared to have no chance. A draw was our reward and a similar result is not out of the question next Saturday. I am not a partisan, but I honestly believe that Everton will go into the next round. I must have some reason for my belief. I have, and it was Everton’s game at Derby on Tuesday. The failure to take the simple chance was Everton’s ruination. They have been like that in recent weeks. There must be no misses –unless they are in the stands –next week. I freely admit that the County’ forwards line is the best in the land, but even with all their stars out they were fortunate to beat Everton. It will be a clash of styles, unless, of course, Everton change their modus operandi. The conditions should dictate whether they will or not. If the ground is heavy I would ask them to adopt the Country’s style of progression –the long, sweeping pass which is always a bane to any defence. To hug and hold the ball on a mud patch is gross folly, for it plays into the hands of the defenders. I like the way derby sling the ball out to the wingers, but even more I like the way Dix runs into the open spaces and then believers the pass that is easily takable. It was the open game which won them three League points from Everton. I hope Everton have learned the lesson from the League games. It was there to be learned. Has Derby County ever played Everton at Anfield Road? Yes it was in 1890, and Everton won 11-2 after the County had been two goals up. The ground was a mud heap, and after the game one of the Derby directors said; “The next time we play you it will be on the Leeds and Liverpool canal.” The next two occasions the pair met was in the semi-final. Everton won the first 3-2, the year they met Aston Villa in the final, and Derby the second at Wolverhampton, the following year, 1989. A 5-0 victory for Derby in the third round in 1911 was one of the surprises of the third round proper, and if my memory services me right; the quintet of goals were scored by players whose names commenced with “B.” Everton took their revenge over twenty years later, 1935 to be exact, when they knocked out the County at Goodison Park by 3-1. But the County today is a different County than ever before. Let the old-timers say what they like. Both teams will enter the game with the will to win, and although I expect the game to be hotly contested, I do not anticipated any rough play. In the two league games the trainers was called on but once. That is why I think this tie will be another classic. International galore will be in opposition. There are fifteen “caps” among the two sets of players, nine belonging to the Everton boys. Such names as will figure in the team sheet should be ample justification for a great duel.
December 1938