EVERTON TACKLE THE LEADERS
January 1 st 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
Today, therefore, the great struggle will be resume with renewed spirit. It is a case almost of extreme meeting at Goodison Park for Everton entertain the leaders Burnley, and judging by the Turf Moor club's form at Anfield, when they drew with Liverpool after being two goals down, Everton's task is great. Further, Burnley recently scored five goals against their opponents of today. The Goodison Park club must play exceptionally well if they are to win. The victory over Sunderland and the fact that they played so well in the return game at Roker Park has imparted more courage to the team, and they may be depended on to make a great fight. Irvine returns to the side and with Critchley as his partner the line appears strong. Raitt and O'Donnell are determinated backs, and the halves are worthy opponents for the lively and skilful Burnley forwards. Kick-off is it 2.15, and the teams are: - Everton: - Hardy Raitt, O'Donnell, Brown, Bain, Hart, Critchley, Irvine, Dominy, Troup. Burnley: - Somerville, Fergus, Waterfield, Steel, Hill, Dougal, Bruton, Freeman Beel, Devine, Page.

EVERTON V BURNLEY
The Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, January 1, 1927
EAST LANCASHIRE CLUB’S SECOND GAME IN THE CITY IN A WEEK
DOMINY PROVIDES; IRVINE AND TROUP SCORE
By Bee
Everton; Hardy; Raitt, O’Donnell; Brown, Bain, Hart; Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup.  Everton; Sommerville; Fergus, Waterfield; Steel, Hill, Dougall; Bruton, Freeman, Beel, Devine, Page.  Burnley were at Goodison Park to-day for the second time within a week, Liverpool having drawn with them on Boxing Day.  Everton picked the same side that beat Sunderland sensationally 5-4, and as the day was fine and the holiday spirit was ditto the crowd at Goodison Park to welcome the leaders of the League was enormous.  It was one of the best crowds of the season, there being 42,000 spectators before the start, and more in the offing.  Burnley were unchanged for the fifth successive time, and they began in a manner that is typical of them, namely, with intensively swift and practical measures, but Everton replied in similar fashion, and when Dean and Critchley paired off Dean made a cross-goal shot that travelled outside.  Troup followed with one to Somerville’s trusty hand, and after Raitt had nearly bored Page to tears and to the earth the game had to be stopped owing to Page’s injury.  Burnley had a look in for one moment only, Hart stopping their right wing when there was a possibility of the ball being breasted through, after which Everton returned to the offensive, and when Dean fell the ball bumped on his head and offered Critchley a chance, but the winger hit the side netting, and the same man in the next breath was slightly too high with an unhesitating shot.  Burnley showed a nice round of passing, but Irvine, like Dean, troubled Hill not a little bit.  
A BELATED HONOUR
Dominy, who had started in delighted manner, and who, I believe, was the scorer of the 30 yards’ shot at Sunderland (not Bain, as has been stated), was doing splendid work, and when he headed in he was narrowly out of the goal honour.  Burnley responded to this hot toast with a move which suggested that they had joined the Mustard Club.  Beel made a very good cross shot, and Hardy half fell to save.  Before he could balance himself, Bruton put in a lobbing centre that was liable to beat the best of goalkeepers, but Hardy very cleverly got his hand under the ball to turn it over the bar.  These were two very fine saves.  After Beel and Devine had recovered from minor injuries, Hart, in covering Beel’s fast drive, got a knock on the ankle for the pains.  Even worse pain was prospective when the Everton defence stopped playing, anticipating that which did not come-an offside decision.  The punishment could quite easily have been a goal.  Dean broke through finely in close association with Critchley; but his shot hit Somerville, who had come out of his lair, and, after Irvine had made deliberate aim without finding the target, Dominy’s brilliance created a goal for Irvine after twenty-six minutes.
DOMINY THE PROVIDER
Dominy began by pushing the ball to centre, where Dean made a gentle header, and the ball, coming back to Dominy, that player made a fairly easy opening for the Irishman.  It was strange that Dominy has scored nine goals away from home, but to-day, so far as any rate, was with put a goal at Goodison.  This goal lead was seriously threatened by Freeman.  Hardy at first saving cleverly, yet dropping the ball near his goalline and opening a way for the present of a goal.  Everton were tackling desperately, and much of Hart’s work was of a specially constructive and skilled character.  Burnley’s half-back, Hill’s concentrated more than usual upon defence; in fact he made a sort of third back for a long spell, which is quite foreign to his nature, being a man of enterprise and push-and-go. 
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF
Dominy earned much applause for a shot taken at great length to the far right hand corner, Somerville being competent enough to tip the ball over the bar.  This was a save such as Scott made against the same player at Southampton in the last minutes of a Cup-tie.  Hard on this came a head-away by Raitt when things were looking black, and a dash away by Dean, who broke through but was crowded out and hampered when he delivered his shot, after which came another accident to Devine, and a save by O’Donnell not more than two yards from goal when Burnley seemed certain to score. 
HOW THE SECOND GOAL CAME
There was a last-minute sensation after O’Donnell had four times saved the situation.  Troup got the better of a Burnley back, and there wee man decided he might as well have a shot.  Somerville could only touch the ball, and it spun either on or over the line.  At any rate, Dean made secure by running up and putting the ball into the net.  It seemed to me to be Troup’s goal, however.  The half-time score was rather flattering to Everton, but very comforting.  Half-time; Everton 2, Burnley nil. 
Front page missing from Football Echo

EVERTPN STRIKE THEIR OWN-TIME WAYS
January 3, 1927. The Daily Courier
Dean, The Daring, Outwits The Bunrley Defence
Everton 3 Burnley 2
Football, such as is bred normally in the Goodison Park atmosphere was served up against Burnley. Neither did this seem a snap success. There were team work, determination, and indications of possible consistent progress. Taking the long view, on this form, one cannot see Everton making a first acquaintance with the Second Division. Indeed, the football made for the former greatness of Everton. The side did well fore and aft, but strategy won the day. Burnley are a clever, fast side on their day. Their move to blot out Dean the daring was met by a counter-move. When he was dogged by the virile international Scot. Hill and others, the ball was slung out boldly to the wings, both of which were anxious for glory. This gave Critchley the Stockport County recruit, his chance. He was practical, did not dally to and fro in going for goal, and middle splendidly. Another pleasing point was his partnership with Irvine, whose style has to be understood. Troup too, reacted on the other wing twinkled down the edge of the line and revealed a new trick or two in beating their great and wily back Steel. Dominy also showed pace as his partner. Dean had supreme confidence despite the circumstances, was a worker, played for position and gave some daft passes. He strengthened his claim to lead England's attack. Hill, clever and hustling as he is, could not really hold him. Dean's share was a goal each half, although Troup deserved some of the credit for the first, and Bain and Irvine paved the way for his second goal. Dominy's pass to Irvine enabled the latter to score Everton's first goal with a shot that had remarkable power behind it. It was not until well on in the second half that Freeman scored Burnley's two, the first of which Hardy, who was sparkling and otherwise, might have saved. With so workmanlike a middle line, Everton might have done even better, Brown who tore the muscles of his right thigh in stopping the youthful Devine, was outstanding up to that stage, and had to retire in the second half. Irvine tried a half back role. Bain was knocked about in the boisterous game, but he was delightful as the general utility man, while Hart was the artist. By contrast O'Donnell, behind him, was in the all-or-nothing full back role, with Raitt solid in his work by his side. Credit goes to the clever defence and tackling of Everton in checking the Burnley forwards, Page and Devine being a shade their better wing. Teams;- Everton: - Hardy goal, Raitt and O'Donnell, backs, Brown, Bain and Hart (captain), half-backs, Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup forwards. Burnley: - Somerville, goal, Fergus and Waterfield backs, Steel, Hill, and Dougal, half-backs Bruton, Freeman Beel, Devine and Page forwards .
• Arsenal 3 (Brain (3); Cardiff 2 (Curtis, L Davies)
• Birmingham 2 (Bradford (2); Leicester 1 (Cringan own goal)
• Bolton 2 (L.R. Smith (2); Liverpool 1 Edmed
• Everton 3 (Irvine, Dean (2); Burnley 2 (Freeman (2)
• Manchester United 5 (R3nnox, Sweeney, Baison, McPherson (2); Sheff United 0
• Newcastle 1 (Gallacher); Leeds 0
• The Wednesday 1 (Hill); Bury 3 (Ball (2), Bullock)
• Sunderland 2 (Marshall, Clunas); Blackburn 5 (Puddlefoot, Harnet (2), Mitchell, Holland

EVERTON 3 BURNLEY 2
January 3 rd 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
EVERTON START YEAR WELL.
A CAPTIAL WIN AGAINST BURNLEY.
Everton started the New Year with a capital win over Burnley by three goals to two, and their success carried a double measure of satisfaction. The points were invaluable, while the moral effect of a win over the clever Burnley players must establish confidence in the side. It was a sparkling game of keen, enjoyable football with a thrilling finish such as Burnley are noted for. Everton lead at the interval by two clear goals, the result of clever and occasionally brilliant play, and although Everton deserved their lead Burnley were unfortunate to be without a goal. Everton further increased their lead after twelve minutes' play in the second half, and at this stage it looked as though they would win by a very comfortable margin.
BURNLEY'S FIGHTING SPIRIT.
Burnley however, are nothing if not dogged and while giving the impression of a well beaten side they gradually came to life, and the inspiring effect of a goal was sufficient to rouse the side to a recognition of the fact that they possessed a fighting chance of saving the game. They made a bold and determined effort, scored again – one of the best goals of the game, and only a wonderful save by Hardy when he was surrounded by opponents prevented Burnley equalising. It was a great finish to a splendid game that revealed Everton as worthy winners capable of clever work, and Burnley as a smart and forceful combination that never recognises defeat till the end. Both goalkeepers had plenty to do. Hardy made excellent saves and while he was occasionally lucky to get the ball away he gave a creditable display. Raitt and O'Donnell stood up well to the lively Burnley forwards and if they did not reveal any outstanding ability they were quite satisfactory. The half backs were sound and all did useful service. Bain filled the pivotal position successfully, and was mainly responsible for the work that led to Everton's third goal. Brown was forced to leave the field midway through the second half with a strained thigh, but not before he had played his part in the well won victory, while Hart was a great worker. Critchley again made a good impression. His footwork was neat and he made excellent use of the chances provided by Irvine, although the loss of Brown rather spoiled the effectiveness of the right wing in the second half.
DEAN'S CLEVERNESS.
Dean was well covered by Hill but this did not prevent him demonstrating his all-round cleverness. He was particularly skilful with his passes, always dangerous and rarely out of position. Dominy and Troup made a capital wing and the former has rarely been more skilful and effective. He shot well and made finer passes, while Troup was as elusive as ever, and never more effective than when he surprised Somerville by the strong drive which led up to Dean scoring the second goal.
POWER OF HILL.
Hill was Burnley's outstanding player. He inspired his colleagues by his example of masterly activity. The defence was good and Someville made some thrilling saves. The forwards hardly got sufficient recompense for their efforts. The first time passing was a notable feature, but Beel missed a number of chances that should have been turned to account. The goal scorcers were Irvine, (Twenty-six minutes), Dean (forty-five minutes) Dean (fifty-seven minutes) Freeman (sixty-eight minutes) Freeman (eight-one minutes). Teams: - Everton: - Hardy goal, Raitt and O'Donnell, backs, Brown, Bain and Hart (captain), half-backs, Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup forwards. Burnley: - Somerville, goal, Fergus and Waterfield backs, Steel, Hill, and Dougal, half-backs Bruton, Freeman Beel, Devine and Page forwards.

BLACKBURN ROVERS RESERVES 2 EVERTON RESERVES 1
January 3 rd 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 21)
At Blackburn. In most respects Everton equalled their opponents, and the first quarter of an hour were clearly superior, but their finishing was bad, the Rovers scoring two goals by taking immediate advantage of chances. Parker and Kenderick Everton's wingers, played splendidly in the first half, but lacked support from the inside man. Virr played an effective game at half-back McDonald who scored from a penalty, was sound in defence . Everton: - Davies goal, Hamilton and McDonald, backs, Rooney, Griffiths, and Virr, half backs, Parker, Woodhouse, Murray, Kennedy, and Kendrick, forwards.

A FIGHT TO A FINISH. 
Athletic News- Monday, January 3, 1927
CALSSIC BATTLE WITH ROUSING BURNLEY FINALE
EVERTON 3, BURNLEY 2
By Impressionist
ON Merseyside they have a wholesome regard and fear of Burnley. At Anfield a few days ago the East Lancashire team were apparently well beaten, and yet acquired a point. It was the nearest thing imaginable that Everton, playing amidst a thronged—52,000 were present—and majestic Goodison Park, prevailed after being three goals to the good.  The concrete assertion of Burnley coincided with the depiction of the home forces caused by an injury to Brown.  Nevertheless, when Everton, at one time ample winners, were left to save the game at all costs, the circumstances which brought this about were very much like the merit of Burnley which had been so ill requited obtaining its just due, putting aside the unit factor.  Undoubtedly Brown’s disability was a serious loss to Everton; yet the fact must not be lost sight of that for half the game, only the tenacious spirit of injured Devine enabled him to keep his position at inside-left. But this must not be held to account for the ebb and flow of a forward line that revealed obvious blending power and individual capacity, 
BOTH OF THE BEST. 
Looking back to this time last season, Burnley were a revelation all times, and especially when they reached zenith in this match. Moreover, with this second example Everton’s ability I am more than ever convinced that their tabular position is ridiculous. One could easily imagine this as a duel between teams of the first magnitude, having its tranquil moments, but for the most part replete in the football one dreams about but very seldom sees.  Every aspect pleased. First of all each side were a composite of ball play on the ground, the ensemble carried out at a pace sufficient satisfy the most insatiable taste in fluctuating fortune and varying incident. Then, of course, the goals, and finally the pent-up excitement over the question as to whether Burnley would bring oft the wonderful redemption.
UNDERLYING FAULTS
Things went right for Everton, and the reverse for Burnley. Well, I have no doubt that the former have had the buffeting of fortune in plenty. All things considered, they were worthy of this relief. One is just left wondering how a team so rich in talent for the real football, have come their present pass.  Probing into the question, one obtains enlightenment, all the same.  Everton have the craft and the adaptability, but a team of their classic character must be in perfect balance for present-day methods to obtain the logical conclusion to their scheming. In this case they had opponents after their own heart, for Burnley had the ball culture and the adroitness of movement.  Nevertheless, holes could be picked in Everton fabric when it came to a challenge. Before a goal was scored I thought the defence liable to concedea thrust, so that there was more accident than design against downfall on occasions when the visiting forwards, constructed openly, converged into each other near goal, but were ever ready for a shot.  In the home goal Hardy descended from the sublime to grave fault. Never did he take and hold the ball like Somerville, the accomplished goalkeeper to his fingertips, who enhanced an already glowing reputation. The shooting enterprise of Burnley went all awry until it was too late. 
AN ADVANCE. 
Everton have vastly improved their right wing by the acquisition of Critchley, this being the main source of attack until Irvine had to fall back in Brown’s place. Critchley did not achieve all he promised, but had Dominy possessed the extra yard of stamina, two goals would easily have accrued in the early stages.  As it was Dominy pulled the ball into the middle, Dean headed on, and Irvine struck on the half-volley—beyond the hope even of Sommerville. This was a gem of a goal, typifying the immense possibilities of genius with all the waywardness that is in the cult.  A shot by Troup, barely repelled on the line, found Dean deft and deadly, so that Everton had a two goals lead at the interval. Burnley seemed to be crushed out, more particularly when Bain became a forward for the nonce and supplied DEAN with the opportunity to drive hard and high into the net. In the great fighting finish Freeman scored Burnley's two goals, the first trifle luckily, as the ball was diverted by a defender.  There was much honour in this defeat.  Burnley had the best back on the field in the quick-footed and quick-witted Waterfield. In fact, from goal to half back they were the more impressive.  Steel, with his prodigious throw-in as an accompanying asset, and Dougall, were the clever attacking wing half-backs in happy unison with the vast energy of Hill. But the forward wing extremes lapsed.  Everton’s vanguard made all the difference, with Dean able to make the play and worthy of being played up to. The left wing was quaint mixture of merit and indifference, and although at times Everton were in resplendent harmony, there are half-hack and back positions which need buttressing.  Raitt and O'Donnell were usually effective in their kicking, the latter intruding at crisis in front of his goal: but both backs had to a deal of recovery, because largely they did not concert well position play.  Hart was the best of half-back line with individual periods of supremacy.  Thus the Burnley right wing fell below expectations, especially Bruton, who has much of Kelly’s build and litheness.  Everton; Hardy; Raitt, O'Donnell; Brown, Bain, Hart; Critchley, Irvine, Dean,  Dominy, and Troup.  Burnley.—Somerville; Fergus, Waterfield; Steel, Hill, Dougall; Bruton, Freeman, Beel, Devine, and Page.  Referee; G.N. Watson, Nottingham. 

HILL’S DOMINATING INFLUENCE ON BURNLEY
Liverpool Echo-Monday, January 3, 1927
EVERTON’S “HOME COMING”?
Bee’s Notes
Everton proceeded to make their mark with something more than a draw against the leaders, Burnley, who twice during the week had given us much pleasurable football and showed they had studied their game.
TACTICS
I am convinced Jack Hill deliberately let his forwards run loose in the first half and then joined them as part of the a plan of rousing attacks when the second half started.  As at Anfield, Burnley showed plenty of fire and finished much the stronger side.  In fact, some thought they were worth a draw; I am in that number, though I recognize that goals count and that hard luck stories would fill a book and would be found to balance themselves as between the various teams.  Certainly there was more fire in the home side than for some time past, and it would seem that the Goodison eleven is going to indulge in a scraping expeditions-they are going all out –encouraged by the Up-ward call of the spectators-to redeem their position.  The Christmas and New Year results do them credit, and they have no need to fear that they are going to meet Burnley every other week; there are few who can attain Burnley’s speed-ful measures and staying power.  Burnley have a nice idea of positioning themselves but they fling the ball so earnestly that therein lies their secret, added to which is the personality of Hill, who is to-day doing three men’s work. 
PRAISE
I reckoned Arthur Dominy, most engaging of follows, one of the best forwards on view on Saturday; he tapered off in the second half, but his first half display was admirable and he “made” a goal, if still without a goal to his name at home! He has eight notches in away matches! Dean is nowadays putting more beef into his charges, and goalkeepers are beginning to realize what a lump of physical and football ability he is; then Critchley is working the ball nicely, not too long drawn-out are centring, and with Irvine’s industry the forward line has smartened up considerably on previous month’s displays.  At half-back, Hart, Bain and Brown form a fine line with Bain entering into the real necessities of pivotal play, but, unfortunately, Brown got an injury that kept him off for a quarter of an hour at the very point when he was most needed, as Page and Devine changed places through Devine’s injury, and Page, the man who got six from centre forward and was not wanted by his own city’s clubs, was always a big danger. O’Donnell kicked like a Grand National horse, never tiring and never turning, and Raitt offered him much assistance; but in the case of Hardy we had the most curious admixture of brilliance and uncertainly one could imagine.  His pick-up of a low hot ball at three-quarter time was ideal; his run-out and one hand punch-out was not good goalkeeping.  Yes, we must face the fact that Burnley had unlucky moments in front of goal, and give them their due for bringing a three goals lead down to 3-2; but we must also hold out a glad had to the Everton players for their resolute endeavor and their much improved football.  May the good work go on! Everton are building up their First Division form again! 
EVERTON NOW AT HOME
Everton have decided to quit Heswall this week.  They were there all last week, but home has been agreed upon as best for this week’s tie with Poole.  Everton’s recent rise in form has led to increased attendances and the season’s record locally, for Anfield or Goodison, was reached on Saturday, when about 46,000 spectators attended to see Everton beat Burnley.  The club officially give Dean the credit of the second goal on Saturday.  Critchley is not qualified to play in the Cup-ties, having already played for Stockport.  The club have Millington, T. Parker, the amateur, and Moffatt to choose from. 

SCOTTISH TOURISTS AT GOODISON PARK
Liverpool Echo-Tuesday, January 4, 1927
Bee’s Notes
At Goodison Park to-morrow, 2.30, the Scottish Junior League X1, who are on tour will meet an Everton team, which will be chosen tonight.  It should be noted that the only seats bookable for the Cup-tie between Everton and Poole on Saturday, at Goodison Park, are those usually booked for League matches at 3s 6d, obtainable at Jack Sharp’s Whitechapel. 

TWO EVERTON CHANGES
January 5, 1927. The Daily Courier
Virr and T.H. Parker to Play against Poole
Everton have settled on the side to meet Poole in the F.A. Cup at Goodison Park on Saturday. Kick off 2.30. Brown was hurt against Burnley and is unfit, while Critchley, having played for Stockport in the earlier rounds of the competition, is ineligible. Virr will take the place of the half-backs, while the Cheshire amateur Parker, operates as partner to Irvine. This side reads;- Hardy; Raitt, O'Donnell; Virr, Bain, and Hart; T.H. parker, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup
Poole's team will be chosen from the following; Drew, Foster, Richardson, Taylor, Lowson, Campbell,
Dickie, Brown (C.), Rhodes, Williams, Daws, Brown (C.H.).
The Everton team to meet the Scottish Juniors League, at Goodison Park today, 2.30 is; Kendall; Kerr, McDonald; Peacock, Griffiths, Green; Moffatt, Houghton, Woodhouse, Kennedy, and Kendrick. For the Central League match at Manchester against Manchester United on Saturday the Everton side will be; Davies; Kerr, McDonald; Rooney, Griffiths, Reid; Moffatt, Woodhouse, Murray, Kennedy, and Kendrick.

EVERTON CHANGES.
January 5th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
Everton are making two changes in their team for the F.A cup-tie against Poole at Goodison Park on Saturday. Brown, who was injured in the league match with Burnley, has not yet recovered, and his place will be taken by Virr, who normally players at left half-back. Th Parker, the amateur outside right will turn out in place of Critchley, who is not eligible.
SCOTTISH JUNIORS AT GOODISON
Everton Reserves are playing against the Scottish Junior League team, at Goodison Park today Kick off at 2.30, Everton will field the following side, Kendall, Kerr McDonald, Peacock, Griffiths, Green, Moffatt, Houghton, Woodhouse, Kennedy, Kenderick. Green is a local player, who assisted the “A” team. In the Central League match against Manchester City, at Maine Road, on Saturday, the Everton team will be Davies, Kerr, McDonald, Rooney, Griffiths, Reid, Moffatt, Woodhouse, Murray, Kennedy and Kenderick.

CUP GUESSES
Liverpool Echo-Wednesday, January 5, 1927
Bee’s Notes
The Cup is a lottery, and so is the process of guessing that has gone in regard to some critics, who anticipated the team-sheet and fell heavily in their ideas.  Similarly, the critic who asked the powers that be to amend their rules so that a player, who was really seriously injured, would lead the game to be stopped by the referee.  The rules have long since provided for this possibility. 
As we suggested, the amateur, Parker, finds a place in the Everton side through Critchley being ineligible and as Brown is pretty badly crocked, Virr crosses over.  This is apparently playing for safety and experience, but brings to my mind the more-than-once quoted suggestion that Everton, having a vacancy, do not promote the reserve team man, as a matter of course.  Virr is a sample; he comes in from the left wing.  Have Everton a deputy right half.  However, this is no time for arguing; here is the team; Hardy; Raitt, O’Donnell; Virr, Bain, Hart; T.H. Parker, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup. 
THE TWICKENHAM STAND
Kindly allow us to voice a severe protest against the Everton management regarding the new Twickenham, stand (says “E. W.”) Without a doubt it is one of the finest stands any football club possesses, but if they persist in allowing it to be packed the way it is last Saturday nothing short of a riot will take place.  We refer to the steps leading to the stand.  On Saturday there must have been at least eighty to a hundred spectators crowded around the top of the steps at various portions of the stand, thereby blocking the view of the spectators sitting down, and it was utterly impossible for anyone to leave the ground.  All this is undoubtedly due to the fact that no check can be taken at the turnstiles of the number of people admitted; they must know now many seats are available and only allow that number to pay for admission.  Everyone who pays 2s 4d for a seat surely is entitled to that seat, and also an uninterrupted view of the game. 
HOME!
Jimmie Quinn.- Thanks for publishing my last missive anent Everton, and also for your offer of a slogan.  Your other correspondent’s suggestion of “On, On, On, seems equally fine, and that it had good effect was well evidenced when the Boys in Blue made their appearance at Goodison sward against Burnley.  Will you, for many thousand loyal supporters, allow me record my thanks and appreciation of the grand display of high-class and effective football displayed by the team against Hill’s men?  In particular, I would like to single out O’Donnell for his splendid display of good-length kicking and also resource under pressure.  The half backs, until Brown’s injury, were storming, and gave a real taste of the quality we know them to possess, whilst the front line showed footwork worthy of a class Scottish club.  Everton, on this showing, we are proud of you, and may the good work continue.  Let the croakers cease from croaking and give us assistance in our rallying cry.  Criticism is all right in its place, but when the men are fighting so desperately hard it is up to all of us to give them the necessary encouragement at this grave juncture in the history of the old club.  It is about time, “Bee,” that the home team was made to feel at home at Goodison, for from what one has evidenced each week up to now there might only have been a throng of visitors. 
WHOSE GOAL?
“A Sport” writes;- You state that the Everton directors give Dixie Dean the credit of scoring Everton’s second goal last Saturday.  Well, in my opinion, they could not give it to anybody else but him.  I will say Troup was nearly on the mark when he took his last kick; but the ball hit Burnley’s goalkpeeper and travelled across the goalmouth, about two feet out, and Dean dashed up like lighting and flashed the ball into the net.  I was by the corner flag.  I say, put Moffatt out for next Saturday against Poole. 
From the “box” it was hard to decide; but to me it looked as if Troup, who had done so well, had at last got one of his “rocket” shots beyond the goalkeeper, the ball appearing to spin behind Somerville.  However, it matters not to whom the goal is given except for the keeping of the records; the team scored! 

GOALS AT GOODISON
Liverpool Echo-Wednesday, January 5, 1927
SCOTTISH JUNIORS OPPOSE EVERTON SIDE
By Bee
There were many scouts and many goals at the Goodison Park ground, to-day, when Everton Reserves played a Scottish junior side picked from one of the junior organiastions in Glasgow.  Moffatt scored three, Houghton two, and the Scottish juniors scored through a penalty kick given against Kerr.  Kendall reappeared in the Everton goal, and Kendrick the Irish boy, at outside left played well.  Kennedy and Woodhouse added to the score, and although Macalister reduced the lead, Kennedy and Kendrick scored again to make Everton winners by nine goals to two.  Kerr was tried at right back.  The Scottish Juniors had a good centre half in Macracken, but the trouble with the side was that it was a bit outclassed, and was not so well trained as the professional, of course.  Everton 9, Scottish Juniors 2. 

EVERTON RESERVES 9 SCOTTISH JUNIORS 2
January 6 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
ELEVN GOALS AT GOODISON PARK
SCOTTISH JUNIORS OUTPLAYED.
A Scottish team of the Glasgow Junior League appeared at Goodison Park, yesterday, and attacked a number of club representatives, but one fears they would not be duty impressed, as the team was rather undersized and was completely outplayed by 9 goals to 2. Everton had a mixed team, Kendall making his first appearance in goal this season. He saved half a dozen strong shots in masterly fashion, and was beaten twice, once from a penalty and once by Golan. Kerr was tried at right back, and quite useful. At centre half Griffiths the new man from Wrexham, did well, while Green an “A” team man, and Peacock was prominent. Kendrick from Ireland, showed a dainty style at outside left. The Everton scorers were Woodhouse (2), Houghton (2), Moffatt (3), Kenderick, and Kennedy. Everton: - Kendall, goal, Kerr, and McDonald, backs, Rooney, Griffiths, and Reid, half-backs Moffatt, Woodhouse Murray, Kennedy, Kenderick, forwards.

POOLE AT GOODISON.
January 6 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
On Merseyside interest is confined to the exploit of Everton and Liverpool. The former club, position in the League is not a comfortable one, are at him to the comparatively new organisation Poole, the team, however, contains several will known players notably Campbell, formerly of Southampton, and Everton will be fully tested by the Southern League team. Old colleagues in Campbell and Dominy will be playing on opposing sides. Everton have improved greatly on their early form, and they ought to win, but there have been surprised at Goodison Park, and the team must go all out from the start in order to make victory secure. The injury to Brown has occasioned an important change in the half-back line, Virr is left half, going over to the right. J.H. Parker comes in at outside right in place of Critchley, who has already appeared in the Cup. Kick Off is at 2.30, and the teams are: - Everton: - Hardy, Raitt, O'Donnell, Virr, Bain, Hart, TH Parker, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup. Poole: - Drew, Richardson, (Or Foster), Turner, Lawson, Campbell, Dickie, C. Brown, Sleigh, Williams, Batten, TH Brown.

LLOYD’S AT LIVERPOOL
Kinematography weekly-Thursday 6 January 1927
To boost Harold Lloyd in "For Heaven's Sake," which began a two-weeks' run at the Futurist, Liverpool on Monday (January 3), Mr. Makepeace, the manager, collaboratedwith A. Denton, the manager of Famous- Lasky's Liverpool publicity department in a stunt which created quite a sensation.  Twelve young men (by arrangement with  Edwards Bros.) were attired in the familiar  Harold Lloyd "get up," and they paraded  the city and gave away hundreds of replicas  of Harold's " gig-lamps," made of  card, and also buttons on which was printed  the fact that " For Heaven's Sake" was  showing -It the Futurist  On New Year's Day this flying squad "  visited the Everton football ground, much to  the amusement of the thousands of spectators.  Two life-size figures of Harold Lloyd were placed in the vestibule of the Futurist.

BEE’S NOTES
Liverpool Echo-Thursday, January 6, 1927
The scouts who were at Goodison yesterday went away empty handed.  The best man of the touring side was absent.  He is Gibson, a tall and capable centre half back.  The tourists were below standard physically and having to chop their team they made a poor show against a rather strong side, which experimented with the breezy Kerr at right back, and showed Kendrick the outside left from Dublin, as a very useful, young, and rather light winger.  Griffiths at centre half, showed the great possibilities of this player for future events at Walton, and Kendall in goal made his reappearance after a succession of unlucky blows.  He handled half a dozen hot shots in a confident and capable manner, whilst Moffatt revealed some of the form that made him famous at Luton.  Locally the clubs are applying the last finishing touches to their Cup-tie training.  Everton revert to their twenty-year-old method of spending the day before the Cup-tie at Hoylake. 

EVERTON’S HIGH HOPES
Liverpool Echo- Friday, January 7, 1927
Bee’s Notes Everton at home to Poole reads a very tempting dish to set before a side that has bene very severely torn between relegation and League games.  In the past Everton have done moderately against such sides as Poole, Crystal Palace, and Brighton, but I have no fears about their affairs to-morrow because Poole strike Everton at the moment of their highest efficiently.  Those home wins against Sunderland and Burnley were of a Cup-tie type, and that being so I feel sure that Master Dean and the other members of the cast will show the Hampshire side something they cannot have bargained for.  Poole? Who knows Poole, you ask? Well, I have been in touch with a colleague who was stationed down there during the war, and he says “Poole people are hard; they work hard, play hard, and drink hard; but they are, despite being a hardy race, a very fine set of people, and will not give in until the last ditch has been reached.” Well, that is all very interesting, but are not Everton Hard-y! That balances anything that might be said about Hampshire eleven.  These are the teams, and a big crowd is sure to turn up, as there is new hope and life in the Everton club’s doings and there is no opposition for miles around.  Everton; Hardy; Raitt, O’Donnell; Virr, Bain, Hart; T.H. Parker, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup. 

POOLE'S CUP VISIT
January 8, 1927, The Daily Courier
Everton Look Good For Round Four
Everton, in meeting Poole at Goodison Park have stronger claims to going into the hat for the fourth round on Monday than have their neighbours. Taking the Everton game first their opponents have been on of the surprise teams that have worked their way in the Third Round. A club in the Eastern section of the Southern League, Poole play a robust style of football, but in tackling Everton they are taking on much higher game than has come their way before. They will, however, surprise themselves if they get even a chance of a replay, for in point of play they seem likely to be outclassed. Everton have the Cheshire amateur at outside right, and Virr, a left half-back, moves over to the other wing owing to Brown's injury. Poole do not select their side until near the kick-off, but the Dolphins, to give them their title, will have one of the smallest goalkeepers in the Cup-tie Drew, who despite a lack of inches h=guards the goal well. The sides are;- Everton; Hardy; Raitt, O'Donnell; Virr, Bain, Hart; T.H. Parker, Irivine, Dean, Dominy, Troup. Poole (from); Drew; Foster, Richardson and Turner; Lowson, Campbell, and Dickie; Brown (C.), Rhodes, Siegh, Williams, Batten, and Brown (T.H.).

NOTED FOOTBALLER IN HOSPITAL.
January 8 1927 Yorkshire Post
Johnny Goodall, who won football renown with North End and Derby County, hospital at Derby. Now 63 years of age. His greatest many scoring feats was his 16 foals out of 26 for Preston North End in an F.A. Cup-tie against Hyde. GoodaJl at one time played cricket for Derbyshire, and is expert shot, angler, and bowler.

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, January 8, 1967
By Louis T. Kelly

• Alec Wall broke his leg when playing for Swindon Town on Christmas Eve.  It is a peculiar coincidence that he broke the same leg on Christmas Eve five years ago while with Everton. 
• Stanley Davies has only scored in one match since making his double against Everton on September 6
• Art Dominy played his best home game of the season against Burnley
• There was a good deal of the Edgar Chadwick touch about many of his movements
• Liverpool have seven internationalists on their books; Everton three
• Everton’s two holiday match receipts must have reached something in the neighbourhood of 5,000 pounds
• Almost enough to purchase a readymade first-class footballer!
• The beauty of Goodison’s new stand was fully revealed for the first time on Saturday with its perfect sea of faces. 

EVERTON BEAT POOLE
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, January 8, 1927
SOUTHERN LEAGUERS’ GAME BATTLE AT GOODISON PARK
THREE GOALS TO ONE –FINE GOALKEEPING
By Stork
Everton; Hardy; Raitt, O’Donnell; Rooney, Bain, Virr; T.H. Parker, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup.  Poole; Drew; Richardson, Turner; Lowson, Campbell (Captain), Dickie; Brown, Sleigh, Williams, Batten, T.H. Brown.  Referee; Mr. T. Hancock, of Burslem.  Everton found that they had to make still another change in their half back line.  Hart is suffering with knee trouble, and Rooney got his first chance with the senior side.  There was a fine crowd present considering the strength of the opposition and they had the pleasure of seeing Everton take the lead in exactly two minutes. 
ELECTRIC SPARK FROM DEAN
Dean was the scorer; and what a shot it was that he fired into the Poole net.  Drew had not the remotest chance of affecting a save.  I was apparent even at this early stage that Everton were going to lay a solid foundation at the outset.  So virile was their attack that little was seen of Poole, with the exception of their defence, in which Drew stood out on his own with two magnificent saves.  The first was from Irvine who was as usual, unlucky with his shooting.  The second was from Dean, and this was perhaps the better of the two saves, for Dixie’s shot went in like a ramrod, but Drew mastered it.  Poole’s first forward movement produced a corner which, however, brought them no assistance.  There was greater danger to the Everton defence when Sleigh tried a long shot and Hardy had to make a one-handed save to stop him from scoring. 
TRYING A CONJURING FEAT
Virr, with a mistimed header, opened up a pathway for Poole, and an equalizing goal appeared on the horizon until Rooney stepped in and made a timely clearance.  Dean was playing grand football, and came near to scoring his second goal, following good work by himself and Troup.  The winger had made a centre, and it seemed impossibility for Dean to make anything out of it, but the centre forward is a most unorthodox player, and jumping in the air he took the ball on his instep and lobbed it on to the crossbar.  It was a magnificent effort.  Poole appeared to be gaining confidence with every minute, the left wing especially showing that they too could play when the opportunity offered itself.  T.H. Brown lobbed one just over the bar, and the next minute created danger with a well-placed corner kick. 
POOLE’S KEEPER DAZED
Dean’s shooting was the feature of the game, but he found Drew a rare stumbling block.  One shot taken on the run Drew tackled like a seasoned veteran and a little later he went down slick to an Irvine drive, but the best save of the match thus far, and he had made many, was when Dean hit a tremendous drive goalwards.  It would have beaten most goalkeepers, for the pace of it alone was killing.  It nearly killed Drew as a matter of fact, for it went through his hands and hit him on the chin and, although Drew was able to clear, he immediately fell in a heap in a dazed condition.  He received a great ovation when he had recovered. He was beaten, however, a minute later when Dean shot, the woodwork alone saving him.  Drew was ready the next minute for Bain, when the latter drove home a long range shot.  Dominy and Bain were playing grand football, both using the ball to effect, while some of the work of Irvine was beyond compare.
A SUPERB PERFORMANCE
The Poole wing men were very wasteful with their corner kick.  Still, the man of the moment was without doubt Drew, and I am pleased to say that the crowd, Evertonians and Southerners alike, rose to him for his magnificent display in goal.  But for him Everton would have been at least five goals up at the interval.  He baulked Irvine, when the Irishman had promised a goal with a great effort.  T.H. Brown made another bad finish when he had a glorious opening, and this incident completed the story of the first half.  Half-time; Everton 1, Poole nil.
When Drew left the field at the interval he was obviously affected by the crowd’s cheers.  As a matter of fact, he did a sprint towards the tunnel to avoid a demonstration. 
TROUP SCORES THE SECOND
Everton were still attackers-in-chief, and it was only natural that such pressure was bound to get its reward.  It came at the fifty-eight minute, when Troup scored after Irvine had made a scoring chance possible.  Dean’s pass to Troup was so well placed that the wee Scottie could not help but score.  Poole had put up a galliant fight, but their attack was not good enough.  Hardy had little cause for anxiety.  Still, it would not be wise to be too optimistic with twenty-five minutes still remaining for play.  Irvine, with one of his sinuous dribbles, beat practically the whole of the Poole team with the exception of Drew, an obstacle which had been the downfall of many other marksmen besides himself.
IRVINE GAINS THE THIRD
Troup’s goal seemed to take the heart out of the Poole side.  When Irvine went on to score Everton’s third goal it looked like the end of things, for there was no bite in the Southerners’ attack.  However, to the surprise of all, at the 75th minute Batten was successful in beating Hardy following clever right wing play.  A goal was evidently the tonic Poole required, and they were more dangerous at this point than any other stage during the game.  Dickie, the Poole left half-back was one of the best men on the field.  He was a deadly tackler, while his constructional ideas were chic.  Captain Campbell realized the position of things and he brought all his men forward when an attack was made.  It was good captaincy, for it was all or nothing for his side now.
MISSING CHANCES
Irvine and Parker missed the chance of a lifetime with a minute remaining to play.  Final; Everton 3, Poole 1.  Official gate receipts 2,049 pounds 5s 10d.  Attendance 34,250. 

EVERTON 3 POOLE 1 (Fa Cup Game 118)
January 10 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
POOLE'S PLUCKY GOALKEEPER.
JAW DISLOCATED BY DEAN'S SHOT.
EVERTON'S VICTORY
Everton's 3-1 victory over Poole does not truly tell of their superiority. Rather does it suggest a close suggest whereas Poole were outclassed and at no point of the game did they promise Everton any anxious moments. Still, considering the difference in the calibre of the teams, the Southern side came out of the game with as much honour as their more famous rivals. They never gave up trying, and it must be admitted that they had every reason to expect an avalanche of goals from the Everton attack, which in the first quarter of an hour was well-nigh invincible and only some great goalkeeping on the part of Drew presented Everton holding a commanding lead. He had no chance with Dean's goal, scored in two minutes, but he saved at least half a dozen shots in masterly fashion and there was no suggestion of luck about his work. He was confident and clean, and must have surprised Dean and Irvine, who were Everton's chief marksmen, for there can be no question that this pair rattled in some great attempts which would have beaten many goalkeepers of greater eminence.
A DISLOCATED JAW.
Drew was the hero of the match, and the big crowd rose to him as he left the field at the interval. Everton and Poole people joined hands on the ovation he so thoroughly deserved and he was so obviously embarrassed that he dashed for the “tunnel” to get away from it. It transpired that in stopping a shot from Dean he sustained a dislocated jaw, but after it was reset by Dean and an ambulance man on the field, he continued to play to the finish. Most people thought that Dean would have a grim task in getting away from Campbell, the former Southampton centre half back, and now captain of Poole, but until after the interval Dean did almost just as he liked, and beside shooting powerfully and well he offered up many chances to his side colleagues, but the latter either failed to turn them to account or found Drew barring their way. One goal lead at the half-way stage was not satisfactory, but for all that it was impossible to see Poole's attack proving dangerous for they were bad finishers, and were wasteful with their opportunities. Several times they got close enough to test Hardy, but there their work ended, and Hardy had not much to do. His best save was a one-handed effort when Seigh tried a long-range shot. This effort, apart from the goal scored by Batten, when the game had nearly run its course was probably the only occasion on which Poole seemed likely to shake the Everton defenders. Troup's goal, which was in the nature of a grit from Dean, practically settled the issue, and when Irvine added a third the match was won. Poole's best men were Drew, the keeper, and the left half-back Dickie. As a fact, Dickie was one of the best middlemen on the field. He tackled well, kept his wing so well supplied that it was the better of the Poole wings, which at times produced some well defined movements, only to spoil the whole thing by wretched finishing.
BIAN'S PLAY
Owing to knee trouble, Hart was unable to play and this brought in Rooney. He did quite well, especially in the first half, but Everton's best half-back was Bain, who never forgot the requirement of his attack, and at the same time defended strongly Raitt and O'Donnell had not a lot to do, but they appeared to get nervy after Poole had obtained a goal. Dean, Dominy, and Irvine were the best of the forwards, for the amateur Parker, was not on his game. He centred badly and was too easily dispossessed to be a success. Troup's centres were always good. Teams: - Everton: - Hardy, goal, Raitt and O'Donnell, backs, Rooney, Bain, and Virr half-backs, TH Parker, Irvine Dean, Dominy, and Troup, forwards. Poole: - Drew, goal, Richardson, and Turner, backs, Lowson, Campbell (captain), and Dickie half-backs, C. Brown, Sleigh, Williams, Batten, TH Brown, forwards.

POOLE'S MINIATURE GOALKEEPER EARNS THE PRAISE OF EVERTON
January 10, 1927, The Daily Courier
Sporting Game
Poole Directors Congratulate Everton
Everton 3, Poole 1
Although Everton emerged successfully in the “big act” staged at Goodison Park, they did not repeat their recent form. It perhaps could not be expected in frantic dominated by cup-tie fever. Still all concerned are to be congratulated on the clean game and sporting spirit. The players shook hands after the match, the officials did so with them as an acknowledgement of the spirit, and the Poole directors were the first to congratulate the Everton directors on the result. The crowd had cheered good play impartially, and gave diminutive Drew, Poole's goalkeeper, their mascot, an ovation to himself. He deserved it. Poole showed grit and determination. They played the old cup game, kicked hard and often without much through of direction in keeping the foemen at bay, while Charles and Thomas Brown, the wingers, went raiding whenever they could. Everton had the foot craft and ability, but in cup ties, when goals are the first consideration, first-class football goes to the wind. Everton had “extra” forwards on duty, and more goals might have been expected. Bain at centre half, apart from his constructive work was confidently mingling with the forwards, and Virr at times might have been an attacking forward, while Rooney, a local product, who came in via the “A” team and Reserves, had a shot or two. Otherwise he was not in the picture particularly. Irvine was one of the finest men out, too skilful and clever for the opposition, so that he could follow his rededication for beating one man after the other. Perhaps he over did it. Parker, the amateur, who helped Irvine to get Everton's third goal from a fine centre, was overshadowed by the brilliance of his partner. Dean, whose goal in the first few minutes was an early handicap for Poole, was clever, although up against a stiff proposition in the tall ex-Southampton skipper Campbell, who paid him the compliment of saving he was the best centre forward he had played against. Action Captain Dominy, a former Colleague of Campbell, was an inspiring and unselfish leader, with Troup effective and fast at his side. Troup did not daily when he cut in and scored Everton's second goal. O'Donnell enjoyed himself on the heavy ground, but his partner, Raitt, had no panic stopping Thomas Brown and Batten and occasionally kicked out and tapped back to Hardy. Dickie was a cool constructive half, who helped to make this Poole wing, and a fine understanding led to Batten getting Poole's only goal. Drew was the salvation of his side. Teams; Everton; Hardy, goal; Raitt and O'Donnell, backs; Rooney, Bain and Virr, half-backs; T.H. Parker, Irvine, Dean, Dominy (captain), and Troup, forwards. Poole;- Drew, goal; Richardson and Turner, backs; Rowson, Campbell, and Dickie, half-backs; Brown (C.), Sieigh, Williams, Batten, and Brown (T.H.). forwards. Attendance 34,250; gate £2,049.
• Bournemouth 1, (Taylor); Liverpool 1 (Hodgson).

MANCHESTER UNITED RESERVES 2 EVERTON RESERVES 2
January 10 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 22)
No details.

POOLE’S PLUCKY PASSING. 
Athletic News- Monday, January 10, 1927
DREW DEFIES ARTISTS OF EVERTON
EVERTON 3, POOLE 1
By Junius
AS expected, Everton gave the knockout to Poole, whose players, however, contested every inch the way, and against cleverer and more scientific forces never lost hope. They gave their best display near the end, when Everton had gained a comfortable lead and appeared content with it.  Although Everton practically commanded the play during the first half - Hardy was only called' upon three times —they were only once successful in scoring., The player who took the eye most in the early stages was Drew, the Poole goalkeeper, for before he was beaten as the result of Dominy placing accurately to Dean, he had cleverly saved from the centre-forward and repelled a terrific drive from Irvine. The Everton forwards rounded off their work in commendable fashion, but Drew stood between them and a big crop of goals. Irvine in the first period sent in fine drives that might reasonably have produced goals, while Dean, Dominy, and Bain sent in good shots, all which were treated with masterly conquest.  Eleven minutes after the interval the visitors’ goal fell to Troup, who had no opposition and was but few yards out.  This success was made possible from a free-kick, followed by neat touches from Irvine and Dean. Thirteen minutes later Irvine, from a deft movement by Parker, got Everton’s third goal. The lead was reduced within a couple minutes by Batten, and this success served to stimulate the visitors to greater effort, but the forwards could not overcome the Everton defence. Towards the close Irvine had a chance of increasing the lead, but passed to Parker, and the outside man failed with an open goal.  The contrast between the two forward lines was most marked. The Southern players had no individuals to compare with Dean and Irvine for real artistry.  The Everton five were much cleverer, both man for man and collectively, and played an easy, confident game. The elusive Irvine frequently ran through the defence, and though Campbell, by his height, occasionally overshadowed Dean, the Everton leader had a good afternoon. 
A DOMINANT FORCE. 
Troup was more practical than usual, centring the hall quickly, which was the right policy to pursue in view of the heavy ground. Dominy, on whom the care captaincy sat lightly—Hart was unable to turn out owing leg injury-was always a dominant force, and Parker completed good line.   The Poole forwards were the best part of the team, but they did not get possession sufficiently often become dangerous.  Most of their promising work was executed on the left flank, where Batten gave a clever display in conjunction with Brown (T, H.) and Dickie, in addition to doing much defensive work.  Dickie, the left half-back, was constructive in his methods, and kept his men supplied with accurate ground passes. Campbell, too, placed well, but little quarter could exacted from the Everton half-backs, of whom Bain gave a much improved display.  The rear lines on both sides were strong, with little to choose between them.  The resolute punting by O’Donnell neutralised most the work accomplished by Brown (C.) and Sleigh, while Richardson, in front of the brilliant Drew, got through a good afternoon’s work.  Everton,—Hardy; Raitt, O’Donnell; Rooney, Bain, Virr; T.H. Parker, Irvine, Dean, Dominy (Captain), and Troup.  Poole; Drew; Richardson, Turner; Lowson, Campbell, Dickie; Brown (C.), Sleigh, Williams, Batten, and Brown (T.H.). Referee; Mr. T. Hancock, Burslem. 

POOLE SHOCKERED
Liverpool Echo-Monday, January 10, 1926
By Stork
Everton got through the first round, and much more easily than the final score denotes.  It was Poole’s goalkeeper, Drew, one of the smallest goalkeeper I have seen, who was instrumental in keeping the score down to respectable figures.  He made several remarkable saves even though he was beaten in the first two minutes by a goal which should have shaken his confidence.  It seemed to do just the opposite, and he became the man of the match, and his work was duly acknowledged by both friend and foe alike at the interval and again at the conclusion of the game.  It was quite an interesting encounter to watch even though Everton were the superior side and had all the play, especially in the early moments when they bombarded the Poole goal but could only place one ball into the net in forty-five minutes.  Dean’s shooting, along with that of Irvine, would, under ordinary circumstances, have laid the foundation solid enough to have won any game, for it is only a truth to say that it was worth at least five goals; but as Drew was there to thwart the Everton marksman and did so with great credit, he must be awarded the palm.  He had wonderful anticipation, and a good pair of hands, but how he got to some of the shots that Dean fired in few of the spectators could tell you.  Dean’s goal was of the unstoppable type, and he sent in several others equally worthy of scoring only to find them dealt with as if they were just the ordinary class of shot, whereas they were both powerful and taken at a moment when least expected. 

EVERTON GO TO HULL
Liverpool Echo –Monday, January 10, 1927
Bee’s
The draw makes rather quaint reading.  It brings Everton and Hull together at the Hull ground, and remembering how Hull have fared in the past against the senior sides, and the fact that they have already beaten a First Division side in West Bromwich Albion, the severity of Everton’s task is plain.  Hull, who are supposed to have the best defence in the Second Division started the season by conceding four goals in twelve matches.  In more recent times they have fallen away a bit, but in Maddison they have a very fine goalkeeper and the backs are very dour.  Everton, having played Poole, have their second successive journey into the unknown lead.  When interviewed Hull City said, “We have room for 30,000, and we hope to be able to play our famous back, Gibson, who has been off for five or six weeks through injury.  He will be ripe for the Everton visit.” 

BENEFIT FOR IRVINE
January 11 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
The football League yesterday gave Everton permission to grant Irvine a benefit. The Irish forward has accomplished much good work for the club, and the recognition has been earned. Regarded as one of the most skillful players of the day, Irvine controls the ball with easy and grace and some of his dribbles are a delight to those who revel in pure footcraft, benefits these days are guaranteed by the clubs, so that the player who qualities for such a reward has no worries about weather conditions. The amount paid as a rule is £650…meanwhile now that they appear to have got into the winning vein, Everton do not intend to spare any effort to keep their players fit. This week they are staying at Hoylake to prepare for the league match against Tottenham on Saturday. The players enjoy the exercises they can take in the open and golf is popular in this connection one learns that Hart, the captain, while staying at Heswall recently did the seventh hole (176 yards) in one stroke so that he has obtained a place in the honour list. And England have selected dean to play against the rest on February 12.

WULLY McCRACKEN’S DESIRE
Liverpool Echo-Tuesday, January 11, 1927
Bee’s Notes
Mr. W. McCracken, the Hull City manager when asked early yesterday what club he would wish to see pitted against Hull City in the next round said “Well I would fancy Everton as much as any club.” By a remarkable coincidence his wish was gratified.  Hull City will resume their special training at Bridington after their League fixture at Wolverhampton. 

CHANGES IN EVERTON TEAM
January 12 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
An important alteration in the defence has been resorted to Hamilton the young local full back, being called upon to partner O'Donnell in place of Raitt, while Hart, who did not turn out in the cup-tie, returns to the half-back line in place of Rooney, and Critchley resumes at outside right, for Saturday against Tottenham. This will be Hamilton's first game in senior football and good judges believe that he will develop into a most useful defender. Hamilton formerly played for New Brighton and when he joined Everton as a paid player three years ago, he was one of the youngest professional footballers in the country. Everton's policy of training young players and drafting them into the first team is a praiseworthy one and all will, wish Hamilton success in his debut in premier football.

ENTER HAMILTON INTO EVERTON’S DEFENCE RANKS
Liverpool Echo-Wednesday, January 12, 1927
Bee’s Notes
The visit to Goodison Park of Tottenham Hotspur is a thing of special importance, because they play a game very similar to Everton’s style, with a trifle more solo work in it, and therefore they are always one of the big drawing cards to Merseyside.  This season Spurs have been variable mainly through their half back failings, in which the experiment of two half-backs becoming forward took some time to test.  When Everton started the season by visiting Tottenham they were beaten through a bad five minutes, but put up so brave a show, right to the last kick, which the goalkeeper saved at the foot of the post, that they badly deserved to lose.  Since then points have come and gone- chiefly gone- and now Everton are faced with the task of their lives. A man asked yesterday; When was the Everton club in the gravest possible conditions of relegation? And the answer was, “To-day.”  But the race is not yet over, and a recent revival of the club has been borne of enthusiasm and good football, and wins against Burnley and Sunderland have given the players grace of heart.
SAFETY TACTICS
In defence, it is said, the cup-tie game revealed a weakness.  Many have blamed Raitt for kicking out; one famous international player who was present says that Raitt did the right thing, and those who barked at him were a cowardly crowd.  The same man reminds me that when Raitt dallied with the ball in a cup-tie (and a goal came from it) he “got the bird.”  What is a player to do? He asks.  Well, tactics and safety measures are all-necessary in a cup-tie, but I believe Raitt has been left out of the team against the Spurs because he didn’t touch good form.  “Duke” Hamilton, the Wallasey boy, of recent appearance at centre-forward, has been called upon, and I am sure he will not let his side down against Spurs.  He is young, but has had a long experience of the game in all its phases, having played football, “as it were,” all his life.  Critchley returns to outside right, and Hunter Hart is back to captain and leads his side.  The men were at a whist drive last night at the Hoylake Conservative Club, and they are challenged to play a billiard game there to-morrow night. 
I complain of the strange mixture of good and bad sportsmanship displayed by the crowd at Goodison Park (says “Double decker”).  The first incident was an altogether pleasant one-the splendid ovation accorded to Drew.  The crowd rose to him as one man.  This incident was distinctly to the credit of the crowd.  The second incident was of a different character, and took the form of a distinct “set” against one of the home team’s full-backs.  It arose from the player twice putting into touch, when harassed by an opponent.  After that he was jeered and laughed at by the crowd every time he played the ball, with the inevitable result that his game was affected.  This is bad sportsmanship, and calls for protest by those who believe in “fair play.”  In the first place it was cowardly, as while the player is on the field he is unable to answer his critics or give any reasons for his actions.  In the second place I think their action was very unjust in this instance.  Three of four years ago this same player was engaged in a Cup-tie against Bradford on the same ground.  Everton were leading 1-0 when the player endeavoured to keep the ball in play and work it up the field.  In doing so he was dispossessed and Peel, the outside left, went on to score.  In the replay at Bradford, Everton were defeated.  However, crowds have short memories, and on Saturday he was ridiculed for seeking to avoid a similar error.  I hope players will never attempt to answer the crowd by using the hand to the nose. 

SPURS AT GOODISON PARK
Liverpool Echo-Friday, January 14 1927
Bee’s Notes
We breathe again! Yet are still husky! For the League games for Everton bear a Cup importance.  Everton to-morrow face the side that beat them in the first game of the season 2-1.  I saw that game, and know how well Everton played.  Therefore, I feel they have a rich chance to-morrow to get ahead with the stern fight against the relegation bogey.  Home matches MUST be won; spectators MUST give encouragement; Everton MUST take heart of grace.  The changes of defence and outside right have been much commented on in local circles, and to-morrow we shall see how far these commentators are right in their reckoning; certainly the home club is not alone in making alteration.  The Spurs have lately struck a bad patch, and the Cup defeat was their last straw, hence the inclusion of four new men as compared with the side that lost to West Ham.  Britton returns to goal-which bears out a comment I made in these columns.  The back division has been altered-also bearing out a suggestion I made in August; and the forward line is hardly discernible; Dimmock’s name reminds us that this is still a Spurs’ forward line.  Blair, who promised enormous things early on has been damaged, and has not done too well at inside right.  He now becomes a leader of men, and O’Callaghan, a Welshman, gets a show with Handley, returning to the forward line.  I am rather glad the free-dasher and scorer, Osborne, is not able to play.  Spurs, however, have always shown a capacity for swift work, clever dribbling –over-dribbling, in fact, at times has been their undoing; and I am looking forward to a great game tomorrow in view of Everton’s continued list of successes.  Start at 2.45, remember.  Teams;- Everton; Hardy; Hamilton, O’Donnell; Virr, Bain, Hart; Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup.  Tottenham; Britton; Forster, Poynton; Skitt, Elkes, Lindsay; Thompson, O’Callaghan, Blair, Handley, Dimmock. 
Drastic changes have been made by Tottenham Hotspur for tomorrow’s match with Everton at Goodison Park, Smith (J), Clay, Smith (B), and Seed are omitted, their places being filled by Britton, Forester, Skitt, and O’Callaghan.  O’Callaghan, who will be making his first appearance in the club’s league eleven, is a promising young forward.  He formerly played for Barnet as an amateur, and upset last season at the Spurs’ Northfleet nersey.  In London Combination matches this season O’Callaghan has scored sixteen goals.  As Osborne is still unfit Blair remains at centre forward.  The Tottenham eleven will be; Britton; Forester, Poynton; Skitt, Elkes, Lindsay; Thompson, O’Callaghan, Blair, Handley, Dimmock. 

SPURS AT GOODISON PARK
January 15 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
At the other end of the table Everton, amongst other clubs, resume their efforts to escape relegation. The danger is real, but it is felt that with confidence resolved in the team the Goodison Park club may secure sufficient margin, but they must keep up to concede pitch and pursue the end in view with relentless vigour. Today Tottenham Hotspur are the visitors to the Park, and the London side are expected to provide lively opposition. Four changes have been made in the side since their over throw in the Cup and the team is expected to shine. One of the most interesting figures in the team is O'Callaghan who is making his debut at inside right. He has proved a leading marksmen in the London combination. The first appearance of Hamilton at right back for Everton is another interesting feature, this local youth will have a searching trial with such men as Handley and the elusive Dimmock to face, but there is great confidence in his ability. The days are lengthingly and the kick off today is at 2.45. The teams are Everton: - Hardy, Hamilton, O'Donnell, Virr, Bain, Hart, Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup. Tottenham Hotspurs: - Britton, Forster, Poyton, Skitt, Elkes, Lindsay, Thompson, O'Callaghan, Blair, Handley, and Dimmock.

EVERTON V TOTTENHAM
Liverpool Football Echo- Saturday, January 15, 1927
DEAN SHOOTS A PENALTY GOAL
HAMILTON TESTED IN THE FIRST TEAM AGAINST LONDON SIDE
By Bee
Everton; Hardy; Hamilton, O’Donnell; Virr, Bain, Hart; Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup.  Tottenham; Britton; Forster, Poynton; Skitt, Elkes, Lindsay; Thompson, O’Callaghan, Blair, Handley, Dimmock.  Referee.- Mr. Stott, of Tamworth.
After a week of Hoylake’s air Everton returned to their football home to-day to take up the relegation-bogey and lay him by the heels.  They realized that meeting the Spurs they were against London’s crack side.  But Spurs had a bad time recently, and made four changes from the side beaten in the Cup.  Everton’s great thought for to-day was young Hamilton at full back, Critchley and Hart also returning.  The brilliant weather of the morning and the late kick-off led to a huge crowd, who had no sooner arrived than the air became dull.  The attendance was about 32,000 at the start, but the people were still rolling in queue-loads.  Spurs won the toss, and Everton kicked towards the Stanley Park goal.  Irvine did a dandy dribble, only to find Virr a shade too strong.  Again the Everton right wing made play, and Critchley rightly banged the ball across instead of tampering with the tapestries. 
SHARPENING THEIR SPURS
He gained an unexpected corner for his trouble.  Critchly put the ball to Britton’s hands.  Dean followed this with a piece of instant shooting that did him credit.  Hart and Critchley in turn juggled with the ball along the touch line.  Troup was snookered by Skitt when he attempted something similar.  For a long time the Spurs were not in the hunt.  It was King Elkes who started them moving in his own masterly fashion.  This led to a rather sensational incident, to which some referees would have rushed in to give a penalty kick.  Hart slipping up simply handled the ball in the penalty area, and the referee said “Accident.”  The whole thing was so clear that the crowd gasped with astonished fear.  Poynton, the sandy-haired defender, made two mistakes which were not improved upon, and when Dimmock got a free kick through a tough shoulder charge from Hamilton, Handley was very near with a ball that skimmed the crossbar.  Although Critchley screwed a centre to the goalmouth from the touch-line, Spurs went away to enjoy a good innings, in which many runs were scored.  For instance, Hardy made a catch from a cannon-back shot that turned the ball away from him.  This was a good save, but one was puzzled to know why Hardy should give the dummy to Blair instead of clearing.  Everton survived this rash period after Skitt had shot and Dominy went away and having escaped a follow-through kick by Forster he made what would ordinary have been a gift goal for Dean, but the ball came a shade too far back for Dixie to gather in a fast shot. 
BAULKED BY OFFSIDE
Hence be tried to place it, and Britton fell full length to cover the ball.  Dean, after being covered with another shot, had to leave the field for a few moments.  After which Troup and Dominy made merry against Forester.  Elkes was playing very good stuff, whereas Dimmock so far had little chance.  Much of the Spurs’ passing was inaccurate; in fact, Elkes was in a measure playing the team on his own.  Dimmock came to life by means of his dribbling upon the space of a 3d bit, and, when the Everton defence was knotted, O’Callaghan scored from a plainly offside position.  Little O’Callaghan, the clever young forward, was hurt by a charge in the back by Hart, and when proceedings were resumed Dean broke through and only shot, but found Britton had moved out of his goal a yard and thereby reduced the angle. 
SCRAMBLE IN THE GOALMOUTH
Spurs were all agog now, and when O’Donnell kicked up in the air from two yards out of goal there was an extra-ordinary melee in which the ball was put up to the goalpost, and Blair, the ‘Spurs’ player, viewed the incident from the back of the goalkeeper, as he did not desire to ruin the idea with an offside decision.  There was plenty of good intricate dribbling, both sides in a measure, being afflicting that way. 
DEAN SHOOTS A PENALTY
The football was pretty and aggravating in turn. A penalty was given at the 35th minute against Elkes, who touched the ball that had been hugged by Critchley, and was then being centred by the winger.  Dean took the kick, and although Britton touched the ball, he could not stay its progress.  It was hard lines on Elkes, after his fine game, to earn such punishment.  Probably he imagined he was outside the penalty area when he handled.  Everton were again working on the collar, and if the ‘Spurs had been more practical in front of goal they would have gained something for their brilliant footwork.  The only other incident before half-time was the joyful bumping match between Dean and the goalkeeper, weight telling and Dean going to earth.  Half-time; Everton 1, Tottenham 0
POINTS FOR SPURS
EVERTON THWARTED IN THE SECOND HALF
DIMMOCK AND BLAIR
Everton Started off the second issue in rather brighter fashion, and Dominy’s good header was followed by another of Critchley’s brilliant centres that Britton edged out from the corner of the goal.  Everton’s confidence left them for a while, and when there was a free kick against Bain near the penalty line Elkes headed well away from Hardy’s stance, and something like 40,000 spectators roared their appreciation of Hardy’s left-handed save.  This turned the tide for Everton, and when Dean went up for goal and offered a charge Britton went down pell-mell.  Bain had up to now kept a grip on Blair, who has gone back since the beginning of the season, and is probably better at inside right.  Dean headed and reheaded into goal, but Britton was not beheaded. 
SPURS EQUALISE
It was anybody’s game.  Hardy saved one drive from Elkes and there followed a goal to the London side, a goal gained in a manner one would not see in a year’s football.  Handley went a-roaming, and having wasted a lot of energy without value for it, suddenly made a pass to Dimmock, who went closer and closer to goal, and after feinting to pass, he elected to shoot, and memories of the Cup final came back to him when he beat Hardy just as he had beaten the Wolverhampton keeper. 
Score 1-1, time 65 minutes.  Irvine was crowded out from the simplest of chances, and Blair breaking through, hurt his right leg.  Spurs continued to be the stronger side, and now they were the more confident side, especially as Irvine had throughout the day over-elabroated.  Hart and O’Donnell were bust defenders, and Bain, in the latter moments of play, was having a bad patch. 
SPURS IN FRONT
A free kick against hart was taken by Elkes, and Blair just managed to divert the ball between hardy and the upright.  Hardy made a great save from Thompson.  Final; Everton 1, Tottenham 2. 

EVERTON'S DEFEAT BY THE SPURS' PLACES GOODISON CLUB IN PRECARIOUS POSITION
January 17, 1927. The Daily Courier.
A Tale of Lost Chances
Everton Drifting
‘Spurs More Finished in Their Movements.
Everton 1, Spurs 2
Everton, by losing against the Spurs at Goodison Park, are drifting into a [recarious position. The Board are fully aware of the seriousness, but, as a director remarked, the club has been handicapped since the campaign, the most serious handicap being the prolonged absence of Dean at the start. Everton's football is better than their position indicates, but after a sprightly commencement in the game, in which Dean and Irvine ought to have scored a couple, the side had a relapse. They worked hard enough to the last kick, but were beaten by the skilful, polished, fast football of the Spurs. This was strange, seeing the Londoners had four newly-introduced men –O'Callaghan, Skitt, Forster, and Britton –who certainly did not let the side down. Britton in fact was a splendid goalkeeper. After Dean, with a penalty goal, had given Everton the lead at half-time, they should have done better. Dean though, could not shake off Elkes, that brilliant centre-half, who, incidentally gave the penalty although Dixie was one of the first to get the ball when it was in the air with his head. Everton's policy forward should have been to swing the ball out more to the wings, and bustle the Spurs' defence. The Spurs were given too much liberty for intricate passing. Critchley served up another smart wing game, with |Irvine introducing clever tit-bits and inclined to be individualistic. Dominy and Troup were disappointing in the second half, and the ex-Southampton man did not forge ahead. Bain was a refreshing centre-half, going strong till the last, but Virr, in a destructive roiled, would have been more at home on the left, where Hart worried the O'Callaghan and Thompson wing. In fact; Everton forwards could not complain of the help the halves gave them. The last line gave some cause for anxiety, although O'Donnell was always up and doing. Hamilton the “A” team man, could not hold the wily Dimmock in this first try-out. He required more experience, appeared to be in two minds at times, but should not be discouraged under trying circumstances. Hardy had no chance with Dimmock's goal, but the winger's success was not a surprise, for he has the guile of wandering into the centre, and having a pot at the target. Had Hardy come out he might, possibly, have stopped Blair's goal, for the backs were holding up the attack. Teams;- Everton; Hardy, goal; Hamilton and O'Donnell, backs; Virr, Bain and Hart (captain), half-backs; Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup, forwards. Tottenham Hotspurs; Britton, goal; Forester, and Poynton, backs; Skitt, Elkes, and Lindsay, half-backs; Thompson, O'Callaghan, Blair, Handley, and Dimmock, forwards.
• Aston Villa 1 (Dorrell); Newcastle 2 (Gallacher, McDonald)
• Blackburn 3 (Harper, Puddefoot, Rigby); Birmingham 2 (Islip, Scriven)
• Bolton 3 (Vizard, D. Jack, J.R. Smith); :Leeds 0
• Cardiff 0, Burnley 0
• Derby 0, Arsenal 2 (Buchan, Parker)
• Everton 1 ((Dean); Tottenham 2 (Dimmock, Blair)
• Huddersfield 3 (Devin, Brown (2); Bury 1 (Wynne)
• Leicester 3 (Adcock, Bishop, Hebden own goal)p; West Ham 0
• Manchester United 0; Liverpool 1 Forshaw
• Sheffield United 2 (Tunstall, A. Mercer); The Wednesday 0
• Sunderland 4 (Halliday (3), Carlin); West Brom 1 (Wilson)

EVERTON 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2
January 17 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
EVERTON'S POOR DISPLAY
CLEVER SPURS' WIN AT GOODISON.
The meeting of Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park, provided a capital game, and while the result was disappointing to Everton, it must be conceded that the Spurs were well worth their 2-1 victory. As an exhibition the game had many excellent features, and the Spurs will be remembered for their delighted display of clever and artistic footcraft. If they had a fault it was that they paid a high price for their artistry. It nearly cost them the game, which would have been all against the balance of skill and cleverness. As it was they found Everton's weakness late on, and got their just reward. It was a blow to Everton that might have far-reaching effects, yet it could not be denied that Everton were below their best, and developed weakness, particularly in defence, that should be quickly remedied. At various stages Everton played well, but they were not consistent, and when the defence yielded to the persistent and clever scheming of the Spurs' forwards, Everton could not recall the chances they failed to take early on.
DEAN'S GOAL.
The only goal of the first half was scored by Dean from a penalty kick given against Eljkes for handling, and many thought the punishment out of all proportion to the offence, for it certainly looked as though Elkes had little option in the matter. Earlier in the game Hart handled the ball when he fell, and the penalty claim was ignored. Right through there was more elaboration than driving power, but the Spurs' attack always looked the more dangerous. It was also more methodical, and benefited by the excellent work of the half-backs. When Dimmock equalised at sixty-five minutes it was the result of a well-organised attack. Handley dribbled almost to excess, but his work had the effect of leaving Dimmock unmarked, and when the outside man received the ball he cleverly beat Hamilton and scored a capital goal. From this point Spurs played with greater confidence, and when Blair gave them the lead at eighty-three minutes from a free kick admirably played by Elkes, they had the game well won. Hardy did capital work in the Everton-goal, and although he dropped the ball once or twice in rather risky fashion, he made some excellent saves, one of his best being near the end when Thompson put in a great shot.
HAMILTON'S PART.
Hamilton, who made his first appearance in the senior side, was outclassed. True, he was pitted against one of the most elusive forwards in Dimmock and got little help from Virr, who was usually weak, but Hamilton himself, did not touch a high standard. He kicked well without much regard for length and directions. O'Donnell was moderate and not sufficiently resourceful to cover the deficiencies of his colleagues. Hart and Bain did a fair amount of useful work, but they experienced a harassing time against the clever Spurs' attack. Of the forwards, Irvine was the most useful, while Critchley played a bright smart game. Dean was variable. He missed at least one great chance in the early stages, and although he rarely got the ball, as he wanted it he made some delightful passes. Dominy was slow and rarely on the mark, while Troup worked hard without much success.
A GREAT PIVOT.
The Spurs had a capital defence. Britton was confident in goal and both Forster and Poynton got through their work with credit. Elkes was one of the most efficient players on the field. A great pivot, he was effective in both attack and defence. Dimmock had flashes of brilliance when he revealed dainty and clever footwork. Handley and O'Callaghan were splendid grathers; and Balir and Thompson completed a skilful forward line. Teams: - Everton: - Hardy, goal, Hamilton and O'Donnell, backs, Virr, Bain, and Hart (captain), half-backs, Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup, forwards. Tottenham Hotspurs: - Britton goal, Forster and Poynton, backs, Skitt, Elkes, and Lindsay, half-backs, Thompson, O'Callaghan, Blair, Handley, and Dimmock, forwards. Referee Mr. Stott.

MANCHESTER CITY RESERVES 2 EVERTON RESERVES 3
January 17 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 23)
At Maine road. Everton attacked but was soon repulsed, and in the first minutes their goal had narrow escapes. They scored the first goal through Woodhouse, but Bell put the City level before the interval. After the change over Everton commenced in whirlwind fashion Peacock scoring their second goal Kennedy netting a third after twenty-five minutes. Taylor netted Manchester second goal . Everton: - Davies goal, Kerr and McDonald, backs Peacock Griffiths and Reid, half-backs, Moffatt , Houghton, Woodhouse Kennedy and Kendrick forwards.

SPURS BREAK LONG SPELL. 
Athletic News-Monday, 17 January 1927
WELL DESERVED VICTORY AT GOODISON PARK
EVERTON 1, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2
By Junius
Games between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are invariably productive of good sport, and the contest on Saturday at Goodison Park was no exception.  The margin was narrow; still it might have been more pronounced, for they were clever, combined effectively, and kept their opponents working strenuously throughout.  Everton took the lead somewhat luckily, for Eikes handled in the penalty area as Critchley was cutting in, and DEAN, who experienced few of Fortune’s favours early on, scored from the kick, but even then Britton slightly arrested the flight of the ball into the net. 
HARDY'S CLEVERNESS. 
The early moments of the second half found Hardy bringing off clever one-hand save from Eikes, and as the play progressed there could be no mistaking an undercurrent of superiority by the ‘Spurs that must eventually bear fruit.  The equaliser came after twenty minutes, when Handley made the opening for DIMMOCK, who rounded Hamilton, steadied himself, and flashed the ball into the net.  Everton worked strenuously to at least save a point, but seven minutes from the close Forster, taking a free kick against Hart, dropped the ball between the defenders, and, as they apparently misunderstood each other, Blair had no difficulty in clinching the issue.  The occasion served to introducetwo new players to First League football in Hamilton, product of Everton’s nursery, and O’Callaghan, who was preferred to Seed as a partner for Thompson.  Hamilton, who filled Raitt’s position, was overawed by the occasion early on.  But was opposed to a clever pair in Dimmock and Handley, and, though heimproved as the game went on, he is evidently not yet ripe for this class of play.  The Welsh International schoolboy player, O'Callaghan, filled Seed’s position with a fair amount success and effectively paired with Thompson, especially the later stages.
’Spurs’ van had an able general behind them in Eikes, and their footwork invariably made progress towards Hardy. They were methodical up to a point, when they attempted to make the position doubly sure.  Everton forwards worked in patches, with movements often across the pitch rather than advancing. They were the harder workers, grafting continuously; at the same time they were allowed little time for constructive measures.  None could mistake the cleverness of Irvine, whose footcraft was of the intricate variety though unproductive. He puzzled his colleagues by his meanderings on occasion, and had no eyes for Dean.  Critchley, too, often vainly waited in good position for the pass that failed to arrive. The outside right was very progressive  when play came his way, and  Lindsay had as much as he could manage when the much improved recruit to Everton’s ranks obtained possession.
COMPARISON OF PASSES. 
’Spurs enjoyed slight lead in half-back play as the result of more accurate and timely passes to their comrades.  Elkes was the mentor of the side and gave Dean little rope, while his deft passes out to the wings, with those of the short variety, led to rousing attacks on the home goal.  Bain worked valiantly throughout, as also did Hart and Virr, though their efforts were mainly directed checking the constructive play the opposing forwards, of whom Handley and Thompson frequently caught the eye.  ’Spurs' backs were the more dependable, for their accurate length in returns and positional play lightened their task.  Both keepers acquitted themselves well, especially Britton, who was wary, agile, and generally correct in anticipation.  Everton.—Hardy; Hamilton, O’Donnell; Virr, Bain, Hart: Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy and Troup.  Tottenham Hotspur.—Britton; Forster, Poynton: Skitt, Elkes, Lindsay; Thompson, Callaghan, Blair, Handley and Dimmock.  Referee: H. V. Stott. Tamworth. 

EVERTON’S LAPSE
Liverpool Echo-Monday, January 17, 1927
Bee’s Notes
Here one can forget for the moment the tragedies of Saturday’s football; yet one mustn’t for they are still uppermost in most Evertonians’ minds.  The football world was full of strange results; but, truth to tall, we have become thoroughly used to this, and the only thing that new football has brought us is increase speed, increased goal-getting, and the increased knowledge that Everton are being gradually lowered to the second-class cabin, which has never before their lot.  There is time, even yet, for a reprieve and one hopes it will come; but Saturday’s pleasure with a penalty goal lead should have been sufficient to stall off the ever-dribbling Spurs’ eleven, it turned out that one was not enough, and in the end Spurs carried off the spoils in just the way they had won at White Hart-lane at the beginning of the season; Everton took the lead, and Spurs gained a couple of pounds and goals and points.  A happy coupling for them, and no one will deny me when I declare them as worthy winners on the day’s day.
GRIT
Everton seemed to have slipped back to their gritless day.  There was an almost perceptible drop into their boots when Dimmock scored; yet Dimmock is not unused to doing this sort of thing, and he can slag when he’s on the wing.  I am the master of my feint; the captain of football solo.” For there is no cleverer feinter than Dimmock, and no one works in so cramped a space and with so little effort as this stocky son of London; in fact, I’ve told him that he will play for another twenty years as things go.  Most folk expected him to centre; but he is no slave to “the-proper-thing-to-do,” and having beaten the inexperienced Hamilton he proceeded to slam home a shot. I fear that judging by the tender way Dominy played he was none too secure; there was a big doubt about him from the start.  This is more bad luck, but it is no use prating of bad luck at this stage; the future is our goal.  And first of all Everton need a confidence trick.  From whence comes it? 
FROM SUCCESS, CHIEFLY
In the main, from success, but not altogether.  First there must be a combined action on everybody’s part.  The spectators on Saturday would have given no one encouragement; there seemed no life in the onlookers, no spirit, no call to better things; and when a forward tried to put Dean in possession he generally attempted it with a high pass, which meant that Elkes had a gala day.  They used to call Elkes a clumsy footballer at Birmingham when he was with them, but who was dainter (save Dimmock) when he was dribbling, passing, or breaking up an attack? I know no one.  Spurs were just as bad as one famous Everton forward in that they dribbled nigh unto death; but that is the London side’s lookout.  They made four sweeping changes, three of which had good point.  Certainly the goalkeeping was of a high character, and I like the restraint of Britton and his method of coming out three yards.  He’s booked for the Spurs’ goal for some time.  Hardy, too, made thrilling saves, but when close dribbling was the order in front of Everton’s goal one noticed a nerviness that did not tend to produce confidence. 
WINGERS AND THEIR FLIGHT
Troup and Dominy had a good under-standing, and Troup’s work on the left was of good class; yet I should say that Critchley was the best and wisest forward on view, notably in his centring and his practicality.  The half-backs of the losing side faded out in the closing stages; and in Hart’s case, of course, he had a bump that effected his play.  But all round the home side lacked as yard when weighted in the balance with the Spurs.  I have yet to see Thompson, the right winger, played a brilliant game at outside right; and O’Callaghan, who also got a bump, could not reveal the finesse that he has learned at the Spurs third home, Northfleet.  Handley was the dependable forward, and Blair was uncomfortable at centre forward until he scored the winning goal.  And now? Well, who can say? It is best that we leave out letter-writing about teams for Everton’s future; let the officials get on with their extraordinary heavy task.  Bradford City were in a worse plight and got away with their membership.  Let Everton take heart by that memory. 

FIVE GOALS IN TEN MINUTES
Liverpool Echo- Monday, January 17, 1927
DEAN’S SHARE IN SURPRISE 7-3 VICTORY
By Bee, London, Monday.
Seeds (Spurs) was unable to play in the international trial at Stamford Bridge this afternoon, having developed influenza.  Rigby (of Blackburn Rovers) took his place.  England; Brown (Wednesday); Goodall, Wadsworth (Huddersfield) (Capt); Edwards (Leeds United), Kean (Wednesday), Green (Sheffield United); Pease (Middlesbrough), Brown (Huddersfield Town), Dean (Everton), Walker (Aston Villa), and Ruffell (West Ham United).  The Rest- Pym, (Bolton Wanderers); Parker (Arsenal), Waterfield (Burnley); Lowdell (Wednesday), Seddon (Bolton Wanderers) (Capt), Graham (Millwall), Hulme (Arsenal), E. Kail (Dulwich Hamlet), Camsell (Middlesbrough), Rigby (Blackburn Rovers) and Page (Burnley).  It was a dirty day, foggy and wet, and there were not more than 7,000 present at the start of the game.  The first piece of news was that there is likely to be community singing at the Cup Final.  The bald-headed Parker and the clever Green were soon prominent.  Dixie Dean ploughed a lone furrow for some time, and when he shot outside he could have offered a centre.  England’s right wing started well, and Kail, the only amateur present, was perplexed to pass Green.  Kean offered an upward pass to Dean, who set Pease going, and when the ball was centred Dean shot high over from an easy position.
CAMSELL SCORES
This might have been due to the wet ball.  However, no excuse was possible in such a position.  Brown, the goalkeeper, had nine goals against him in London when he appeared for Worksop at Tottenham.  Now he looked like having an easy passage through his backs being good, but when Kean dallied the Rest scored easily in a quarter of an hour, Camsell netting after Brown had made a useful save although he fell.  Kean had an easy task, but holding the ball too long, he let in the Reds’ centre for a gift.  It was an unsatisfactory goal.  Rigby following it up by glancing the foot of the upright.  The reply came from Dean, who tried a swinger, and failed by a small margin.  Hulme juggled with the ball and made quite a good wing with Kail, Pease and Brown also paired off smartly, and the latter was near goaling.  Pym made a surprise catch from a cannon-back clearance by Kean.  Walker, who shot weakly had some fine ideas, and so had the referee.  Captain Cox, who refused to listen to a linesman about a corner that Dean converted, only to find a free kick against him for charging the goalkeeper before he had possession.  Hulme made a flashing drive that left its mark on the upright.  The Rest were now having a good innings.  Dean, with two men on him and a sticky middle piece to contend with, was plucky and unlucky in turn, and when he offered a goal to Brown, the latter shot blindly high over. 
DEAN UNLUCKY
England improved, and Pym had to get one hand to a high centre.  However, a big blow came to England when Louis Page made ducks of the opposition and made an easy goal for Kail, who had wonderful control.  Page came in for as much praise as the scorer, and in view of Ruffell’s poor start one save visions of a cap for the Burnley player.  Kean and Pym his first handful, and Dean was unlucky not to head a goal when he beat Pym in a duel, the ball just trickling outside.  Pym was beaten, of that there was no doubt.  Kean, from centre-half, again had a pop at goal, and had the misfortune to hit the crossbar. 
Half-time; England 0, Rest 2.
In the second half Pym got down to a Brown centre, and when Dean back heeled to Walker a goal should have been a certainty.  Kail captivated everyone, and offered Hulme a goal he would not take.  It was rather a doleful trial up to this stage, yet it served some purpose, if only to show that combination all along the line is at a low ebb. 
“IT WAS A STINGER”
Brown made a perfect catch from Rigby after Wadworth had been beaten rather easily.  Pym also made a great clearance from Pease, and took an awkward ball from Walker.  Rigby scored for the Rest, and made a three goal lead.  Brown who had done well, had no chance with this one; it was a stinger.  Thus was the Selection Committee’s task made difficult.  Ruffell hit the crossbar and Brown had no trouble in converting, the score being now 3-1 for the Rest.  Dean added another goal for England after a nice piece of combination, Pease being his helpmate.  This was two goals in two minutes, and two minutes later Walker scored to make three goals in four minutes, a startling change.  Walker’s goal was helped through by a defender.  All six inside forwards had scored.  Pym made a good save from Ruffell, who had been woefully unemployed, and Dean getting a further goal made a sensational lead for England of 4-3.  He put the ball too far forward, and finding Pym fumble, Dean followed up and scored with ease in an empty goal. 
FIVE GOALS IN TEN MINUTES
This was one of the big football surprises of the season, and when Dean got another goal in two minutes through a header, the game became 5-3 and five goals had been scored in ten minutes.  Dean got his last goal through heading a corner, the ball touching the bar ere it went through.  Pym kept the score down by a perfect punch away, getting the applause of the 11,493 spectators, who paid 790 pounds.  Walker made it 6-3, one of the most astounding turn-rounds in football history and nearly got another a moment later.  Dean got his fourth goal, and the seventh goal seven minutes from the finish. 

DEAN SCORED FOUR GOALS FOR ENGLAND
January 18 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
William Dean scored four goals for England in a trial match against the Rest, England winning by seven goals to three, at Stamford Bridge, a crowd of 11 493 attended.

EVERTON’S CENTREPEICE
Liverpool Echo-Tuesday, January 18, 1927
AVALANCHE; DEAN’S PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE
Bee’s Notes
The success in goal-getting of Dean, of Everton, was a great joy to one who has always believed in this 20-years-old boy.  Dean has a style of his own; and it was plain yesterday at Chelsea that Brown and Walker had not the “feel” of the forwards.  For instance there is no wiser piece of combination towards goal-making than Dean’s habit of having his back to the goal and heading the ball back at an inside forward.  This can be the begging of, a centerpiece that makes goal-getting reasonably easy.  Dean tried it yesterday, but for a long time his partners did not gather the idea, and Dean had to change his tactics after making quite a number of ill-timed passes.  There was an occasion when he was covered, and he back-heeled to Walker to use a gift; there was another time when he pushed the ball four yards too far up, and was lucky to get a goal through the ball cannoning AGAINST Pym, but in all he got four, and only one had the tinge of luck about it. 
WEST HAM TEAM
The probable team to represent West Ham against Everton next Saturday is;- Hufton; Hebden, Horler; Carter, Barrett, Collins; Yews, Earle, Watson, Moore, Ruffell.  V. Gibbins is likely to take a rest before the Cup-tie on the following Saturday. 

EVERTON CAPTURE SEECTED
January 19, 1927. The Daily Courier
Welsh Cap For Griffiths
Blues Make Changes
Wales has honoured T.P. Griffiths early in his career, for the Everton centre half will not be 21 until next month. But, beyond his youth, there is no reason for cavil. Griffiths, who is 6ft tall and weighs 12st., joined Wrexham when only 16 years of age, and played against Tranmere before he was 17. He has been with Everton just a month, and has yet to make his First League debut.
Everton Cuts Everton make three changes in the side to play West Ham, in London, on Saturday. O'Donnell and Hamilton are displaced by McDonald and Kerr, while Hart moves into the centre-half berth, and Peacock is introduced at right half. This should add the necessary stiffening to the defence that was lacking against the Spurs. The Blues will be hard put to gain even a point, but under the circumstances there may be a surprise in store for the pessimists. The team will be;- Hardy; McDonald, Kerr; Peacock, Hart, Virr; Critchety, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup. The Reserve team against Stoke Reserves, at Goodison Park will be;- Davies; Raitt, Hamilton; Rooney, Griffiths, Reid; Moffatt, Houghton, Bain, Kennedy and Kendrick.

EVERTON CHANGES
Liverpool Echo-Wednesday, January 19, 1927
Bee’s Notes
Everton have made several alterations in their team to meet West Ham, in London; Hardy; McDonald, Kerr; Peacock, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup. 

IN LONDON
Liverpool Echo –Friday, December 21, 1927
Bee’s Notes
Once more we go to London, this time to see the new West Ham stand, which, they tell me, has done West Ham’s finances so much good.  Everton have admittedly a severe task, because the Hammers forwards are known by their inherent skill.  As a five they are perhaps among the best bunch in the League; yet they have suffered home reverses, and during the early stages of the season they wobbled perceptibly at home, yet won readily away, notably at the Everton ground.  The advent of peacock, Jock McDonald, and Hart as centre half back is an endeavor to play for safely in both senses of the term.  The directors are scouting –yes, cynic, they are scouting, as they have been for some time; meantime, in their desperate plight they have banked on experience rather than youthful innovations, I wish them well; also the players.  The race is not yet over; the “distance post” has not yet been reached; there is still a narrow channel through which Everton can escape.  Let us hope they find the way when the following teams like up at Boleyn Castle ground- Everton; Hardy; McDonald, Kerr; Peacock, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup.  Everton’s team is likely to stay in Yorkshire some days next week, Bridington being a fancied spot.  There is to be an excursion to Hull from Exchange at 10.5, a dinner-train, arriving at 1.20; fare 6s. 

EVERTON AT WEST HAM
January 22 nd 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
Everton's fortunes in London will be followed with the greatest interest. The club is menaced by
relegation in a way which has never been experienced in the history of the organisation. The game today
is vital. A defeat may mean that their last chance will have vanished for of the following five games for
are also away from home. West Ham defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the Cup and we saw how the White Hart Lane side mastered Everton at Goodison Park last Saturday. The side which is being placed in the field today is probably the strongest combination at the command of the club at the moment and the players will do their utmost to bring about the desired results. Last season Everton lost by the only goal of the game and they may go one better this time, the teams are: - Everton: - Hardy, McDonald, Kerr, Peacock, Hart, Virr Critchley, Irvine, Dean Dominy, and Troup. West Ham: - Hufton, Bebden Hocket, Carter Barrett, Collins Yew, Earle, Watson, Moore, and Ruffell forwards.

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Football Echo-September 22, 1927
By Louis T. Kelly

• Everton fielded the “shortest “half-back line on record last week
• Virr, Bain, and Hart-twelve letters in all with another “brieflet” Reid in the offing
• Saturday was Dixie Dean’s first go at penalty kick taking for Everton’s senior team
• Sam Chedgzoy used to be the Blues’ stock penalty kick artisle
• Former Everton experts, we noticed were bust goal getting elsewhere on Saturday
• Notably Chadwick, Weaver, Forbes, Cock, and Clennell
• Of the defensive sextet with which Everton opened the season v Spurs, Hunter Hart was the sole survivor in Saturday’s return match
• Should Dean be capped for the Wales-England match, it will mean a tremendous loss to Everton for their Derby Day fixture with Liverpool at Anfield road
• Everton’s final match of the season is v. Cardiff, away.  Present indications are that the issues may be of a momentous character on that occasion
• The players who have appeared at centre-forward for Everton during the past 30 years, in the order of their first appearing are as follow, and make interesting reading;
• Proudfoot, Oldham, Crompton (now Liverpool’s chairman of directors), Toman, Beveridge, Young, Bowman, Brearley, (Settle hereabouts had a run at centre forward), Oliver, Jones.
• Freeman,  Magner, Fleetwood, Gracie, W. C. Jordan, Gourley, Bradshaw, Browell, Gault, Simms, Houston, T. Page, Nuttall, Parker. 
• Peacock, Blair, Stanley, Davies, Fazackerley, Irvine, Chadwick, Forbes, Cock, Bain, Broad, Dean, O’Donnell, and Dominy. 
• Everton will be breaking new ground at Hull.  May they also break their run of non-success!
• A victory next week would certainly enhearten the players for ensuing league fixtures

WEST HAM V EVERTON
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, January 22, 1927
GOODISON PARK OFFICIALS COMBING OUT SCOTLAND FOR TRANSFER MEN
HID SHOW AND ICE, AND AN EVEN INTERVAL
By Bee
Everton; Hardy; McDonald, Kerr; Peacock, Hart (Captain), Virr; Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup.  West Ham United; Hufton; Bobdon, Harler; Carter, Barrett, Collins; Yews, Earle, Watson, Moore, Russell (J).  Referee; Mr. C.E. Vines, Birmingham.  This day snow, sleet, and a wintry wind made a journey a thankless task.  Moreover, one felt that here one was experiencing the winter of football’s discontent, Everton’s position being so precarious.  However, the Everton officials in charge, Messrs, John Sharp and William James Sawyer, and the players realized that the fight was not yet lost, and all made up their mind to reverse the result of the West Ham game at Goodison.
SCOUTING UP NORTH
This being Scottish Cup-tie day, it was natural that Everton should send a body-guard to Scotland to take anything possible in the transfer line.  It is common knowledge in Scotland that Everton have quoted for quite a number of men, but so long as the Cup grips the eleven so long will Everton be kept on the doorstep.  As one Everton official said; “It’s all very well saying, ‘Why not sign this man or that man? The man we have desired have not been saleable.  The others were not quite what we wanted, and it would be folly heaping up something we did not want.” 
REACHES HIS TWENTIES
I believe the Everton officials and staff numbered near double figures this week-end, and “business only” was meant.  First of all we have to congratulate Dixie Dean upon his twentieth birthday, to-day.  Next came the announcement of the reappearance of Hart as centre half.  Peacock, McDonald, and Kerr back to the First Division, and West Ham said to be resting their now famous amateur Gibbins. Lucky is the First Division club that can rest any player for a Cup tie.  Naturally the ground at Boleyn Castle was a mixture of mud, snow, and possibly some icy collections, and therefore one gathered that anything might happen to-day.  Form looked like being at a thirty-three and a third discount.  The players tested the turf, and were started by it.  in the corners there was grass, in the middle ice, in the penalty area pools of water, and all around a dull, depressing atmosphere.  Some fifteen minutes before the start there were not three hundred people present in spite of the compelling drawing card, West Ham’s fine grand stand.  The referee told me the ground had improved immensely between 12.30 and 1.30, otherwise he would have refused to allow play to start.  Hart won the toss, but wind was the only element we do not suffer from to-day.  One thing seemed certain-the ball would be the best player to-day.  Hart began remarkably well, and set Irvine with a chance of shooting. 
TOO SLIPPERY FOR HANDY
Accuracy could not be expected, and the Irishman’s shot went near the corner flag.  Different was the case when Moore saw McDonald lose sight of the ball, and a goal arose within three minutes.  Moore’s shot in ordinary circumstances would have been a gift, but Hardy, after seeming to catch the ball, found it slip out of his grasp and curl down to the foot of the post.  He tried a second save, but the ball had undoubtedly gone beyond the line.  This was a blow to Everton’s hopes, and a shock to the nervous system.  Hart, by a dribble and by beautiful dodgery, was playing superb football, and although Dean was crowded out and Troup’s centre came too straight, Irvine made a magnificent shot which had the goalkeeper well beaten and yet sailed inches too high.  This was a grand effort, and when Hardy ran out to save the skidding ball he found the turf turn it away from its original line.  The Stockport man, however, got his hand to make a catch.  McDonald played for safety very wisely, and so far Watson was well covered. 
MISSING THE BULLSEYE
The crowd shouted now for Dixie, remembering his recent four goals, but Dixie was a well-watched man and was operating in very severe conditions.  Russell and company were at no pains to tell what their plan of campaign was.  It was concentrated efforts on shooting.  Thus Russell went near and far in two seconds with first time shots, and Dominy following suit banged in a real beauty that plugged the white wall rather than the back of the goal net.  Critchley made a lovely curling centre similar to those of last week, and Dean charged into the goalkeeper at the right and lawful moment.  Hufton, however, got the ball away, whereas he was indeed a fortunate man when he was out of touch with a Dean header from Troup’s admirable centre.  Considering the conditions the display was admirable, and none did better than Collins and Hart.  Everton were certainly holding their own, and the tragedy of the first goal was too ghastly to recall. 
BARRETT FALLS ON ICE
That there was any amount of bone in the ground was shown when Barrett fell and hurt his arm on the ice, this being the first stoppage, luckily.  Some of Everton’s combination was of a good character, and Dominy made surprise passes, even if the left wing was not dominating.  Hart got across Moore to save an ugly situation, and followed it up with his customary secure pass to a forward. 
IRVINE THE LEVELLER
Hardy redeemed the third minute blow by an utterly astounding save from Watson, who was no more than five yards out when he blazed away, no one being there to guard him except Hardy.  This was a very important point of the match, because after the corner had been cleared away through McDonald saving his goalkeeper by heading off the goalline when the ball was going through, Irvine went away to score after twenty-five minutes and equalize the register.  Critchley and Dean had a hand in the goal.  The former by a touch forward to Dean, who just edged the ball a couple of yards to the left, he and Irvine, for the moment, having exchanged places.  Watson, the home centre, had a nice chance through sheer good fortune, and he having failed to accept the gift of the gods play was hung up through McDonald hurting his back.  Everton were just a little bit inclined to sand dancing on this Ice Palace, and the two things did not blend.  Russell, in one solitary run, beat McDonald, and applied a peculiar hanging centre, with which Hardy took no risks, conceding a corner; and Earle, with two headers was near, yet he had been strangely out of the limelight. 
HUFTON GETS DOWN TO IT
Critchly, although crowed out by Hebden, took the half-chance of scoring, and deserved praise for shooting, for his idea was at least practicable.  He was again the shooter-and this time on the mark instead of wide- when the referee gave a free kick against Collins.  Hufton got down to the ball on all fours to ensure that it did not pass his body.  Barrett, the home centre half, also tried a shot, and when you saw players fall to the ground although they were not engaging in the play you got some idea of the difficulties of play.  Hart was laid up for repairs for a minute, the stoppage being a minor character, and Everton although severely harassed at times were playing with nice confidence, and when Irvine had a shot blocked Dominy swung one near.
DERIDING THE REFEREE
The crowd at the back of the goal booed the referee for a decision he gave in the middle of the field, and with the foggy atmosphere intervening, it could be realized what chances they had of judging the incident.  Half-time; West Ham 1, Everton 1. 
EVERTON LOSE GAMELY
ONE OUT OF THREE AT UPTON PARK
Everton had been hard on the collar, but they had done unusually well to be drawing with a side that has got a reputation, and the equality of the play was an eye-opener.  It simply meant that Everton were determined to do or die.  When one remembers that Hardy had already gripped the ball that scored, the score sheet at half-time can be judged.  However, it would be unfair to be hypercritical about anybody today, and one does not forget that Hardy saved a seemingly certainly.  Everton more than held their own, although it is correct to say Hufton was unemployed.  Everton’s shot had swung about with the exception of Irvine’s, and his left foot drive smashed its way through.  In the first minute of resumption Virr, who, like Kerr, had worked very hard, shaped well in front of goal, but candour compels me to state that Moore was unfortunate with a header, and that Yews tried a long one without result. 
AN EQUINE KICK
McDonald kicked like a horse, when West Ham were piled on the pressure, and for some time the London side were hard to hold, and Kerr did a somersault and hit his leg in keeping out the opposition.  The home side’s shooting was not impressive, and Watson had a very poor day.  Dean had very few chances and when he himself offered Irvine one the Irishman ran half a yard short of meeting the ball, which must have gone in.  dean bore his way through two men by pace and skill without being able to get in a shot, no one being up to help him, and the West Ham goal escaped.  It was quite natural the ball should find touch very often from the Everton forwards, but when Irvine, Critchley, and Troup had a hand in a round of passing, Irvine lunged at the ball, which was deflected as he attempted his long-distance drive.  When Everton played the open and free swinging game they were really dangerous, and I reckon Critchley was the most dependable forward.  Again he made Hufton push out a corner kick, after which Hart had to go half the length of the field to chase Earle and successfully force him to run the ball out. 
REFEREE CONSULTS LINESMAN
The light and Everton’s chance brightened up at this moment.  The referee on the linesman’s instructions had a word with Kerr in regard to an affair with Carter.  Dominy and Troup were more prominent this half, and so was Yews.  The alluring prospect of a point away from home in “these hard times” was not to be sniffed at, and when Horler missed his kick the possibility of a lead arose and until Irvine tried one-too-many dribbles.  Peacock, who had been severely troubled by the conditions, made a rousing run up entirely on his own, and Dominy, pushing the ball upwards, tried to give Dean a chance to celebrate his twentieth birthday, but the ball skidded out of reach.  Dean was again unable to catch an easy chance, and Hufton blundered without yielding a goal.  West Ham went away to score at the eightieth minute through Watson, Kerr falling in attempting to charge the scorer of the ball.  Everton died fighting.  Final; West Ham United 2, Everton 1.

BOOTLE CELTIC V EVERTON “A”
Liverpool Football Echo- Saturday, January 22, 1927
At St. James’s Park.  Celtic were early ahead, Jones opening the score.  Hammon equalized for Everton from a centre by Tyson.  Half-time; Bootle Celtic 1, Everton A 1. 

EVERTON RES V STOKE CITY RES
Liverpool Football Echo- Saturday, January 22, 1927
At Goodison on a snow-covered ground.  Stoke were off the mark whilst Everton endeavoured to get going, and it was fortunate that Raitt was in direct line with Wilson’s first shot.  Everton, however, were soon attacking, their first dangerous move bringing a goal to Houghton, following good work by Kendrick and Bain.  The home side augmented this with another from Bain, and then Wilson, taking his own rebound off the upright, scored a perfect goal for Stoke.  The game had promise of a heavy crop of goals, for the work and combination of both sides was highly commendable, with Everton showing the better ball control under adverse conditions. 
A GLUT OF GOALS
Wilson was a dangerous leader of the Stoke line, but Everton’s Griffiths was revealing good defensive capabilities.  A strong shot from Kennedy brought Everton’s third, and Houghton scored the fourth.  Davies’ best first-half save was to pull down a fast ball from Watson.
Half-time; Everton Res 4, Stoke Res 1
The second half opened with Everton continuing to excel in attack, and Bain was only foiled at the last fence on two occasions.  Houghton scored a fifth for Everton. 

EVERTON BACK'S SLIP IN CLOSING MINUTES ENABLES WEST HAM TO GAIN THE DAY
January 24, 1927, The Daily Courier.
Everton Out of Luck
Beaten After Holding Out for Eighty Minutes
West Ham Utd 2 Everton 1
Everton put up a hard fight at West Ham, but on the run of the play the points went to the better side. The conditions were against accurate football, most of the playing area having a surface of ice covered with water. West Ham played the better football and although both of their goals were of the fluky variety, there were many occasions when they came near to scoring. The first goal was scored three minutes after the start. Hardy gathered a fast shot from Moore, but before clearing he allowed the ball to slip to the ground just over the goal line. Irvine equalised before the interval with a left foot drive, following neat work between Dean and Critchley. The remained on terms until 10 minutes from the end, when Kerr fell in attempting to charge Barrett, and the West Ham centre-half, with an open goal, made no mistake in steering the ball past hardy. West Ham did most of the attacking, and Hardy had much more work to do than Hufton. The home team were superior both in defence and attack. Not only were their wing men fast and clever, but the whole line worked with splendid cohesion, and despite the treacherous ground repeatedly indulged in effective passing. The Everton forwards showed up badly in comparison. Their attacks were spirited but without balanced. Critchley was the best of the wing men, and got in many clever runs. Dean, who was celebrating his 20 th birthday, was sadly neglected by his own men, and when he created openings for himself he was too well watched by Barrett to turn them to account. He was several times unlucky, but he missed one good opening in the closing stages through hesitancy. Both Irvine and Dominy were faulty in their passing. Hart worked like a horse at centre half, but neither Peacock not Virr were a match for the West Ham wingers. McDonald was a tower of strength at right full-back, and Kerr put in good work in the later stages. West Ham again proved themselves a well-balanced team, with Ruffell the best of a splendid forward line. Barrett and Collins were sound at half-back, and no fault could be found with the defence. The teams were; Everton; Hardy, goal; McDonald and Kerr, backs; Peacock, Hart (captain) and Virr, half-backs; Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup, forwards. West Ham-Hufton, goal; Hebden and Horler, backs; Carter, Barrett and Collins, half-backs;' Yews, Earle, Watson, Moore and Ruffell, forwards.
• Arsenal 1 (Buchan); Sheff United 1 (Gillespie)
• Birmingham 1 (Thirlaway); Huddersfield 3 (Goodall, Cook, W.H. Smith)
• Burnley 6 (Bell, Cross (2), Devine, Bruton (2); Aston Villa 3 (Capewell (2), Stephenson)
• Leeds 2 (Jennings (2); Manchester United 3 (Rennox, McPherson, Spence)
• Liverpool 3, (Hodgson (3); Derby 2 (Whitehouse, Bedford)
• Newcastle 1 (McKay); Bolton 0
• The Wednesday 2 (Hill, Powell); Leicester 2 (Chandler, Hine)
• Tottenham 1 (Handley); Blackburn 1 (Shaw)
• West Ham 2 (Moore, Watson); Everton 1 (Irvine)
• Bury v. Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion v. Cardiff City postponed.

WEST HAM UNITED 2 EVERTON 1
January 24 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
EVERTON'S HARD FIGHT.
BEATEN LATE ON IN WEST HAM GAME.
LUCKY FOAL FOR WINNERS.
By “Bees.”
Everton feel the First Division status slipping away from their grasp, and in recent times they have not played with the confidence requisite to carry them to success. However when they lost at West Ham there was much to be said in their favour; in fact, their display was such that one felt they had only to repeat the performance to be assured, even at this late hour of a fighting chance to escape relegation. It would be absurd to adduce that if the conditions had been normal then Everton would possibly –aye, probably –have won; yet I make that assertion and risk absurdity, because you see, I was present and saw a new Everton, a team that had rallied its forces and with a stiffened defence promised to create a surprise by making a draw at a ground that does not offer much hope for those who enter there. Everton have always found something going wrong for them, and this time it was skidding ball that escaped Hardy, the goalkeeper, after he had apparently caught it. It trickled over the goal line, and as this point came in three minutes it is easy to realise the effect this had upon the eleven.
LONG FIGHT.
Generally such a goal would have led Everton into the Doldrums State. Instead of which we here saw a fight back against Fate and two good sure backs. It was a long drawn out fight and when Irvine chanced his strong leg and gained a goal before half-time it looked as if they were to be rewarded, if not with two points certainly with one. Hardy made such a stunning save against odds that he made one desire to forget the first affair; but with only ten minutes remaining for play and a lot of fog swooping down on the ground Watson a failure, thanks to Hart and company, was able to break through and score, though Hardy advanced from his goal area in the hope of stemming the goal. Even then Everton fought back with determination, and if the ball had not sped yards too fast for Dean and Irvine a goal must have risen. However, there was nothing for Everton and they returned dejected after a manful struggle in which admittedly the forwards had not tested the West ham goalkeeper with many shots to hand, but had played well and shot fairly well and had been baulked. There is credit to Everton in a defeat such as this. For many stretches of play they were just on top of their rivals, and if Hufton had little to do so too had Hardy for no forward could be sure on an ice-track which had many boney parts and a lot of big pools of water. In fact, remembering the under surface of the turf –it is questionable whether the ground was safe for football. Fortunately the players played the game in a fair sporting spirit and few men were hurt, Hart and Barrett worst of all. There were times when a player walked away, with no concern for the game, and fell all of a heap through the state of the ground.
HART PLAYS FINELY.
Hart certainly never played a heartier nor yet a more valuable game; he was the half back who could and would make a pass to his forwards, and therein lay some of the faultiness of the Everton side. Virr seemed a trifle too anxious and impetuous, and he ballooned the ball a lot. He was better in defence than attack, while Peacock, who is essentially a dainty type of half back, cuddling the ball, was naturally out of his element in such elements and such a turf. Yet he did not play badly; it was the absence of forward passes that one missed most. Everton's experiments were threeford. They brought Virr to his old position, moving Hart to centre half, and placed McDonald and Kerr at full back. These changes may or may have been warranted, but this much has to be said. The playing of Hart as pivot was a wise move as it turned out, and Kerr and McDonald, in spite of two occasions when each trusted the other and found his missing, kicked hard and well, McDonald saving his goalkeeper on one occasion by heading from the goal-line. Everton selectors played for safety and deserved a better fate in view of the side being all square near the finish. McDonald, in addition suffered a bump or two that would not help his case, yet he played an enthusiastic game to the end, and his long punts late on were of incalculable value.
SHOTS MISSING.
The losers forward line had not the rhythm of the opposing left wing for instance, where Moore (a scorer early on) and Ruffell had a good innings on the score of dainty partnership, but when Everton opened out the game with wide swinging passes, it was anybody's game, and Everton showed superior forward strength, all of which made it the more damming that Hufton had not been a busy man. The trouble was that the left wing did little in the first half and that combination was not rife until too late in the game. Dean had a poor day against Barrett and his backs, but any other centre would have had the same had he had passes put to him in the same manner. The need of keeping the ball down and the need of instant passes on a bog of a ground were never more insistent than at West Ham on Saturday, against tough little side whose right wing was below par and whose wing half-back, Collins, was good. Crithcley was a prime mover for Everton. Irvine tried almost too hard and too much, and Dominy made the best shot of the match in regard to strength and direction –a shot that deserved a goal. Finally, it is only necessary to say that each of the West ham goals had a tinge of fortune about it; the winning point to Watson came through Kerr being unable to deliver his charge on him and slipping up at a vital point. Teams: - West Ham United: - Hufton, goal, Hebden, and Hocker, backs, Carter, Barrett, and Collins, half-backs, Yews, Earle, Watson, Moore, and Ruffell, forwards. Everton: - Hardy, goal, McDonald, and Kerr, backs, Peacock, Hart (captain), and Virr, half-backs, Critchley, Irvine Dean, Dominy and Troup, forwards. Referee Mr. Lines, of Birmingham.

EVERTON RESERVES 5 STOKE CITY RESERVES 1
January 24 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 24)
At Goodison Park. It was the resolute works of the home halves, allied to the superior ball-control and combination of the forwards, that was responsible for Everton's success. The first half was full of good football from both sides with Everton being always able to apply the better finish, as the 4-1 interval score indicates, but nevertheless the City attack, ably led to Wilson, made Davies effect some smart clearances. Considering the circumstances –particularly in the second half when the ground was slushy –the football was good and interesting, it being Everton's best home display for some time. Scorers for Everton Houghton (3), Bain, and Kennedy; and Wilson scored for Stoke's goal. Everton: - Davies, goal, Raitt and Hamilton, backs, Rooney, Griffiths, and Reid half-backs, Moffatt, Houghton, Bain, Kennedy, and Kendrick, forwards.

NARROW MARGIN
Athletic News-Monday, January 24 1927
WEST HAM ONLY JUST BEAT EVERTON
MOORE’S RETURN
WEST HAM UNITED 2, EVERTON 1
By Wanderer
ONE cannot realise why a team like Everton, who have some brilliant footballers, should be placed in the danger zone of the League table. They visited West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday and were unlucky to go away defeated by the odd goal in three, for they were quite as clever in midfield play as their opponents.  Within two minutes of the start the home side obtained the lead when Moore fastened to pass from Ruffell and the ball appeared to stop dead in a puddle of water in the penalty area, and the little inside left shot, but Hardy was most unfortunate to let the ball slip out of his hands over the goal line.  West Ham kept up the attack for the next 15 minutes and some fine movements, in which Earle and More figured, should have enabled Watson to make good, but the centre forward could not quite get the ball under control.  It was a quarter of an hour from the finish before West Ham made the victory certain, WATSON, who had a most unhappy time on the slippery ground, took full advantage of a perfect opening engineering by Earle.  The centre-forward gathered it, raced ahead, stalling off Kerr en route with a fair shoulder charge, and placed the ball well out of Hardy’s reach into the net.  This was the best thing Watson did in the game, and it gave his side the victory.
SOME NARROW ESCAPES. 
The sleet and rain which fell two hours before the match had made the ground treacherous but much interesting footballwas witnessed, especially in the early stages, when Moore and Earle had indulged in some beautiful passwork, which eventually led Watson, who completely outwitted McDonald, but only to see his shot turned aside by Hardy for a corner. Following this, Earle met the corner kick taken by Ruffell, and in the nick of time McDonald headed out when standing under the cross-bar.  Everton made some sweeping movements after this. Dominy had hard luck with a perfect shot which Hufton saved in magnificent fashion.  Dominy is still a craftsman in making openings, but he preferred to push them along the centre to Dean, who was throughout the game closely watched by Barrett. If Dominy had sent out to little Troup more often different results might have been achieved, for the outside left rarely got chance to shine. When he did lobbed the ball went into the goalmouth.  Critchley’s style play, on the Everton right, is pleasing. He controls the ball perfectly, and once got in fine cross-drive which Hufton did well to clear.  This outside right was their best forward, and he figured in some rare tussles with Collins. The last-named, by the way, was easily the best defender on the field. He times his tackles splendidly, and takes the ball up to his forwardslike an international. Collins improves in nearly every match.   Moore has not appeared in a League match at Boleyn Castle since last October, but he showed that he can still play football.  he took Gibson place at inside left and after this displace the West Ham directors will no doubt hesitate about dropping him for the Amateur International next week in the Cup-tie.  Moore seen at, his best. He was back helping the defence and going forward supplying Ruffell and Watson with perfect passes. He certainly put much more life into the home attack.  Yews and Ruffell, the West Ham wingmen, had a bad day. They could not do the right tiling.  Peacock and Virr did some fine work at wing half-backs, but Macdonald and Kerr were the visitors’ outstanding defenders. The last-named is small, but there is something to admire about his clever clearances and length kicking.  Dean too closely watched  Barrett to himself justice. Hart did not appear to the ideal man in this game centre-half. He could not supply his forwards with passes.  West Ham United.—Hufton; Hebden, Horier; Carter, Barrett, Collins, Yews, Earle, Watson, Moore, and Ruffell.  Everton; Hardy; McDonald, Kerr; Peacock, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup.  Referee; Mr. C.E. Lines, Birmingham. 

EVERTON’S EXPERIMENTS
Liverpool Echo-Monday, January 24, 1927
WHY THE CLUB FAILED AT WEST HAM
By Bee
It was a wretched day in London, and I dare say if the amount of ice in the West Ham ground had been known to the referee he would have put off the evil day, for evil it was and vile in its consequences to Everton, who, after making a glorious fighting game against the home side, left there disappointed, dejected, and without anything to show for labours the like of which they have not shown for some weeks.  The club feel the Second Division rope drawing closer round their necks, but they are not content to sit by and believe all will come well as a matter of course; nor yet are they content to believe that such form can continue without points resulting, the outcome being a fighting chance against relegation.  I make bold to say that if Everton’s best supporters had been present and had seen this exhibition they would have spurred the side to a goal more and that West Ham would have yielded a deserved point.  When I say deserved I must quality it to this extent- namely, that save for Irvine’s goal and Dominy’s grand drive, the eleven did not give the Hammers’ goalkeeper a great deal to do, and if he is not a busy man you are not likely to get points.  However, that qualification leads to another, and it is this; when Everton shot best and hardest the goalkeeper was well beaten and he saw the ball swing out or rise just over.  In that he was fortunate. 
SLICES OF CHUNKS
What small beginnings these goals have! The first came with a Moore shot that Hardy caught but could not hold.  The sort of goal that would not happen on a dry ground and would not happen on a wet ground- but this ground was a mixture all its own-wet, icy, bony, soft, and sliddery.  Thus Hardy found the ball escape him and in three minutes Everton had suffered a mental blow.  For once they did not lie down to what they believed is inexorable Fate; they banged back at the opposition benches and made a galliant show towards victory.  Right to the end it was anybody’s game and the loss of one point was aggravating, and I say hardly deserved remembering how Everton’s forwards late on had opened the game out with fine combination and long swinging passes.  The trouble with the Everton forwards was that the ball skidded too far forward by three yards on three separate occasions to prevent their taking a certain goal.  No one can time a pass in such “going.” Now after Irvine’s fine equalizing drive came one of the curiosities of the game.  There was a throw-in far up the field.  An Everton man threw it ahead and it was not chased by a partner; hence it became a goal kick, and therefrom came the mix-up between Kerr and Watson, the former slipping up at the most awkward time and being unable to get at Watson to offer him a full charge.  This was not luck; you could not blame West Ham for improving a throw that went wrong but you could not point me to a similar happening.  It was like a parody of what had gone before when a player was barracked for kicking out with a ball that was greasy and not too sure of being timed rightly.  They were not slices nor yet chucks of luck, they were the fortune of war, but if the fortune had gone Everton’s way a fine away win would have been chronicled. 
EXPERIEMENTS
The Everton selectors apparently said to themselves “We are so far down that we must play for safety; hence we will try the staid and trusted members.  Thus McDonald a great heart and a big booter, spite of his bumping, got his place back, and young Kerr made his first journey to London, and shaped very well.  McDonald headed out from the goal line, and he and Hart in particular played grand football.  That being so, you ask me where the fault lays.  Well, let me go further; don’t be hasty.  Critchly did a good day’s work and was blameless; he is a valued right-winger, one that has been wanted for a season.  Irvine did too much at times through a fetish and enthusiasts, but he had many good points and his goal was a gem.  Dean had little to do owing to the ability of Barrett one of his own age, and to the fact that there is not the same rhythm about Everton’s attacks you get from West Ham or Spurs.  Yet all he did was done in Dean fashion-high class.  Dominy’s give a brave counted for nought unlucky but he and Troup formed a wing that did not warm to its work until late on, and plainly was afflicted by the conditions.  Some players cannot by their very nature operate on good turf, others take a risk and it is in their nature to go in and fear naught.  Thus a player of Peacock peculiarly subtle dribbling was non-suited by the conditions and Virr was best when defending.  When attacking none of them reached Hart’s standard in the matter of the sure and wise pass.  Hence Dean rarely got the ball to his foot and had a lean day, while I should say the whole forward line suffered through the lack of the discretionary pass.  That will not happen to Peacock when the going is good, for no one uses the ball to more advantage but here he had to look after the sprightly Moore and the last Ruffell and he could not keep his cool.  It was a tragedy that Everton should lose, yet, I can see similar form producing them away victories and a Cup run.  It was form worthy a point, and it showed the club had a heartiness that one had reason to fear had left them through persistent failure.  Let them go on heartened in their work and encouraged.  The race is not yet over; the distance has hardly been reached.  The left wing needs re-burnishing.  Hull City, Everton’s next opponents in the English Cup, will need to make vast improvement if they are to win next Saturday.  They re-shuffled their vanguard for their game with Notts County, Cowan being an absentee.  The football was never impressive and the only really good department of the Hull side was their defence, which had an easy day through injuries in the opposition forward line.
BARKING REMEMBRANCES
“Fairplay” writes;-
I was pleased to note that you have been good enough to publish in your sports columns several letters with reference to the unsportsmanlike attitude of a small section of Everton’s spectators- I will not say supporters., for they are unworthy of the name.  A few years before the war a certain centre-forward became the idol of the crowd for his goal-scoring ability.  He registered thirty-eight goals in as many League games.  The following season he became a marked man, and, naturally, he was not so successful. What was the result? He was insulted by a section of the crowd, who are not wanted at any round.  He was soon transferred.  He found his shooting boots, and became more famous by scoring the all-important goal in a Cup final.  I am sorry that the Everton directors have dropped the full back who, naturally was playing under difficult conditions. 

BOOTLE CELTIC 4 EVERTON “A” 6
January 24 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
LIVERPOOL COUNTY COMBINATION.
Although Bootle Celtic had the best of matters at St. James's Park, they were foiled of victory by a brilliant exhibition in the Everton goal by Hughes. His performance was undoubtedly the outstanding feature of the match, though the celerity of Millington the Everton winger, and the cleverness of Jones, in the Celtic eleven, may be considered other items of note. Scorers: Bootle Celtic-Tole (2),McGrady and Jones; Everton –Hannan (3), French (2), and Murray.

MOFFATT IN EVERTON TEAM
January 26 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
The difficult task which Everton are called upon to face at Hull is not underestimated. The fact that Critchley is not eligible for the Cup-tie created a problem, and it was decided last nigh to bring in Moffatt at outside right. In the previous tie with Poole, TH Parker, the amateur filled that position. This is the only change from the team, which lost, to West ham United, and the team will be Hardy McDonald, Kerr, Peacock, Virr, Moffatt, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup. Compared with the side, which defeated Poole, there are several alterations in addition to that at outside right. Hardy and Virr being the only two players of the rare ranks to find places against Hull City. In the third round Raitt and O'Donnell were the backs, and Rooney Bain and Virr constitution the half-back line. Moffatt is on the small side but he has gained confidence since his last appearance in the first team and he is expected to give an improved display.

CUP-TIE TEAM SHEETS
Liverpool Echo-Wednesday, January 26, 1927
EVERTON’S FORCED CHANGE
TALK OF TWO MIGHTY PLAYERS FOR GOODISON
Bee’s Notes
As if to answer the foolish commentary of a Southern paper regarding our Liverpool clubs not providing good fare, and the away teams being alone in giving Liverpool citizens decent football, I have to-day received a letter from Newcastle-on-Tyne, from Mr. Hettick, who supplies a very good answer to the Southern critic; 
I read your article to-night about the Everton and West Ham match, and I quite agree with you that Everton deserved at least to draw.  They have had shocking luck this season, and as recently as Boxing Day at Sunderland, they were in my opinion, the better team, as they played splendid football.  I think the third goal scored by Sunderland was offside; not only that but some gentlemen I spoke to after the match were of the same opinion.  There was a big doubt about it, as the referee had to consult one of the linesmen before giving his decision.  You will no doubt wonder why I, 160 miles away, am writing to you in such a way, but the truth is I am an Everton admirer and supporter.  Ever since I was a boy, 17 or 18 years old, I have followed Everton through thick and thin.  I am now 51 years old.  I go to see them almost every time they come North, either at Sunderland or Newcastle, and although I live five minutes’ walk from the Newcastle United ground, I am always happy when Everton are due, Everton’s team the first time I saw them play at Sunderland, about the year 1894 or 1895 was; Hillman; Kelso, Arridge; Boyle, Holt, Stewart; Williams, Bell, Hartley, Chadwick, Milward.  Sunderland won 2-1 Johnny Campbell scoring the winning goal, and Sunderland winning the League championship that season.  It is my sincere wish that Everton may escape the Second Division; but if they do not I will still go to see them play either at South Shields or Darlington.  You might think I have got football mania, but everyone has some hobby, and my bobby is following Everton. 
Quite a number of correspondents have sent me further cuttings from the same paper with the ant-Liverpool quote.  I thank them for keeping me posted.
  It is really remarkable how far-spread is the desire that Everton shall keep in the First Division.  From far-off Trinidad I get a note from Mr. Cutteridge, who says, “The precarious position of Everton is rather heartrending, and as we see the cables for results, we keep wishing them good fortune in their fierce fight.”  Very important issues have been raised this week by the Everton Club, and they have made a move regarding two of the best-known players in the world that, should it bear fruit, will tend to give the club and the players a big lift.  More cannot be said now in case the chance of getting the players is damaged. A sum of five figures is mentioned-for the two, that is to say.
ENTER MOFFATT
Everton met last night and settled upon the team that played last week, except that a change had to be made at outside right through Critchley’s most unfortunate ineligibility.  I expect many names were talked over, but in the end Moffatt, of Luton, got the vote over T. Parker and others.  Moffatt had hardly realized expectations since he came here, chiefly through an early stab received in training, but a big man who had seen him recently said, “He’s far more able than most of our spectators give him credit for.” I am glad there are no other changes, for the side that played at West Ham was, in my opinion, quite good enough to carry the day at Hull, where by the way, they are crying aloud about injuries.  Everton’s team reads;- Hardy; McDonald, Kerr; Peacock, Hart, Bain; Moffatt, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup. 
HULL CITY’S CHOSEN
Providing that two of the players chosen will be fit by Saturday, the Hull City directors last night selected the following team to meet;- Maddison; McGee, Bell; Swan, Dixon, Bleakley; Horne, Scott, Whitworth, Martin, Taylor.  This is the side that defeated Notts County on Saturday.  There are doubts concerning the soundness of Bleakley, the veteran left half-back, who sustained a knee injury in the Cup tie with West Bromwich.  Should he be unable to play, the position will be filled by Sullivan, who a fortnight ago injured his back when playing at right half at Wolverhampton.  A younger and more sturdily –built player than Bleakley, Sullivan who was reported fit again, had a brief experience of League football with Swansea Town before joining Hull City at the beginning of the season.  He is a native of Newburn, Tyneside, and should he play the City middle trio will consist of players who learned their football in the district around Newcastle-on-Tyne.  Both Swan and Dixon are former Newcastle United players.  There is a doubt respecting the fitness of Martin, who is again chosen for inside left.  Prior to last week he had played on the extreme right in the majority of this season’s matches.  His change of position against Notts County brought him no luck as he sprained a tendon in the leg early in the game.  Should he be unable to play in the Cup-tie McLaughlin will deputise.  This player was with Darlington two seasons ago, but returned to his native Glasgow last season and was in the Celtic Reserves team.  He joined Hull City at the start of the present season and has played in only a few League games.  Whitworth, whose two goals last Saturday has brought his total for the season to thirteen, is retained as leader of the attack.  Horne, who was promoted from the reserve team last week and was by no means impressive, is again selected on the right wing.  The City players are training at Bridlington.  It is understood that the whole of the tickets available at Hull for the stands and enclosure have been sold. 

EVERTON SIGN TWO CRACK PLAYERS
Liverpool Echo-Thursday January 27, 1927
R. KELLY AND CRESSWELL
MEN OF CAPS, EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITY
A FIVE FIGURE FEE
At the time of going to press negotiations are practically completed for the transfer of Bob Kelly and Warney Cresswell, of Sunderland to Everton F.C. News from Oldham suggests that the deal was practically settled at 4.30 in regard to Cresswell at least, and there is belief that Kelly will also hitch his wagon to the Everton star.  The fee to be paid to Sunderland is said to be five figures for the two men.  This will improve Everton’s chance of escaping the last two positions in the First Division of the League, and thus safe-guard their renowned position of never having been in the Second Division.  Their list of matches is long and strong, and in having to meet Derby County and Cardiff City they are meeting clubs in a similar plight to themselves, with the effect that these games become equivalent to Cup finals.  Kelly is a St. Helens man.  He has many caps to his name, and has generally been known as an inside right, but this season has been playing outside right with remarkable success.  The great trouble was the fact that Sunderland wanted him to train at Sunderland and live there, but Mrs. Kelly objected to leaving Burnley, so that Kelly travelled each week end per train and motor-car, an irksome business that eventually was lightened by his signing for Everton. 
AN ARTIST
Kelly has no weight or height or physical strength to recommend him.  He is a football artist, and although not a young man, he is unable to keep going in present day football by his knowledge of pace and refusal to waste energy on the impossible.  As a schemer and shooter, and a man who “goes the opposite way,” as they call it in football, he has no superior.  Possibly he will play at inside right for Everton in their League games, possibly at inside left.  He has played there; in fact, he can play in any position in the forward line.  For years he and Sam Chedgzoy were paired on England’s right wing, and the very appearance of the man in the Everton ranks should increase the confidence of the other members of the side. 
COOL CRESSWELL
The same remark applies to Cresswell.  He has been playing for Sunderland for four years and is remembered at Anfield in connection with the South Shields Cup-tie.  He and Chambers played together as boys up North in their school team; in fact, I think (says Bee”) that Creswell and Chambers played at Birkenhead in their boyish days for the North side against a Cheshire side.  Cresswell is icy cool in his demeanour and in his game, but no back has a better club idea, and Everton feel that this signing would go a long way towards stiffening a line that has been swapped about a good deal during this season. 
SUNDERLAND’S OBJECT
Sunderland have an overdraft of 14,000 pounds, but the main object, we believe, of this particular transfer double is to find a fat fee to pay for the signing of Messer the Reading full back, who has become the biggest noise of the season so far as the minor divisions are concerned. 
Sunderland would not have parted company with either man except that both are Cup-tied, and the club is feeling the very necessary call for new centre half backs, coupled with the natural fact that they have no further interest in the Cup. 

CRESSWELL
January 28 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
Negotiations were in progress yesterday, between Everton and Sunderland clubs with a view to a player being transferred to the Goodison Club, the high fees asked for the player these days render negotiations, more protracted than formerly, and yesterday the officials told a long sitting but nothing definite had been decided, Mr. Cuff the Everton chairman, informed the ‘'Daily Post'' that the negotiations would be resumed today, when a decision would be reached one way or the other. Mr. Cuff stated that they were negotiation for one player not two. The player concerned in the proposed deal is Cresswell. The full back, who earned reputation of being one of the finest and one of the coolest players in the country. Cresswell resembles in style and method the old Everton player MaConnachie when that fine defender was at his best. At the present time Cresswell would prove a great acquisition to Everton in their fight to escape relegation for he is a footballer of infinite resource and fact Cresswell played for England against Wales in 1921. And 1926 against Ireland in 1925.

EVERTON’S HEARTINESS ABOUT THE HULL JOURNEY
Liverpool Echo- Friday, January 28 1927
Bee’s Notes
Among Everton supporters there was great delight from our columns that the club had “get to grips” with a side in England regarding player or players.  Mr. Cuff, the Everton chairman, states that negotiations will be resumed to-day and concluded to-day, one way or the other, regarding the great back, Cresswell, of Sunderland.  Mr. Cuff says Everton are negotiating for one player, not two.  Here’s wishing them success!
EVERTON AT BRIDLINGTON
Everton went to Bridington yesterday and travel to Hull on Saturday morning.  Hull are also at Bridlington, so the pair can compare notes about play, players and the sea’s-side! At the beginning of the season Hull undoubtedly showed a fine defensive figure, and the way Maddison, a great goalkeeper and his backs kept the score down led them to the public eye and the manager’s desire.  But Hull would not part company and by and by the Hull side began to crack till as late as Saturday last, when Wolverhampton Wanderers beat them.  Well, if Everton cannot drew or beat Hull City on the form they showed at West Ham and (in Hull’s case) at Wolverhampton, Everton do not deserve to go further.  But I am going to tell you pretty confidently that Everton have unearthed a confidence and a style of play that should carry them to victory.  I shall not believe them beaten until I see it with my own eyes.  The reason for such a belief in twofold; Hull are not so good as painted; Everton are better.  Someday Everton will strike the streak and then successive victories will be their lot.  I make no excuses for the past; I stand on latest form to bear out my prediction.  You can judge for yourself how near or far out my reckoning has been by taking your greatest guide to the day’s sport; Everton; Hardy; McDonald, Kerr; Peacock, Hart, Virr; Moffatt, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup.  Hull City; Maddison; McGee, Bell; Swan, Dixon, Bleakley; Horne, Scott, Whitworth, Martin, Taylor. 
GOODISON CALLING
In the Liverpool County Combination match, to-morrow, at Goodison Park, at 3 o’clock, Everton A play Burscough Rangers and the team is; Hughes; R. Curr, Masters; W. Curr, Green, and Holbrooks; Millington, Hannah, French, Murray and Tyson.  Progress of the Everton Cup-tie at Hull will be posted frequently. 
EVERTON AND KELLY
OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY SUNDERLAND CLUB
The Sunderland club has officially denied that any negotiations have been entered into by Everton for Bob Kelly.  It is not denied, however, that negotiations for Cresswell are ended, but whether the club will part with him is another matter. 

EVERTON WISH.
January 29, 1927. The Daily Courier.
To Forced a Replay with the Tigers
The supporters of Everton, to be candid, are not too hopeful of a win outright against the “Tigers” at Hull, but they will be satisfied if they can force a re-play at Goodison Park. Anyway, Hull City will not find Everton another First Division lemon. The news from Bridlington is that the Everton men have benefited by their brief sojourn at the East Coast resort and enjoyed their strolls along the Parade and around the old harbour. The Tigers are also at Bridlington, but as they are so near their home town the change will not be so great for them. The Everton players will leave Bridlington for Hull about noon. The Everton directors decided early that changes were undesirable as long as the players are fit. One alteration was necessary. Critchley was not eligible, and instead of bringing in T. Parker, the amateur, who played in the previous round, Moffatt will partner Irvine on the wing.
Hull City Doubts
Despite the uncertainty of the constitution of their team –Hull City players will not hear of defeat. A good deal of anxiety, however, was apparent last night concerning the condition of Martin and Bleakley, who are not certain to have recovered from their injuries, and Maddison and Dixon, who have been in bed a day or two with severe colds. Dr. Durham Pillam, the City chairman, was optimistic regarding Hull City's chances of going into Round Five. “I think we shall win,” he said, “but we are prepared for a hard fight. “I regard Dean as our danger signal, and although I have never seen him play I know him to be capable of winning a game by his own individual brilliance. “I feel confident, however, in the ability of Stan Dixon, our centre half to hold him. It will not be Dixon's fault if dean gets any rope.” Manager Billy McCracken was equally optimistic. On the morning of the draw he said; “I expressed the hope that we should get Everton, and I have not altered my opinion that we shall win at the first time of asking.” Teams; Everton; Hardy; McDonald, Kerr; Peacock, Hart, Virr; Moffatt, Irvine, Dean, Kennedy, Troup. Hull City; Maddison; McGee, Bell; Swan, Dixon, Bleakley (pr Sullivan); Horner, Scott, Whitworth, Martin (Or McLaughlin), Taylor.

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, January 29, 1927
By Louis T. Kelly

• To-day’s issue of “Studmarks” is the 1,096th column from the pen of Mr. Louis T. Kelly.  He was one of the first signings of “Bee” for the “Football Echo” 23 years ago, and has been a constant source of information and enjoyment to readers and the editor ever since.  The amount of labour in keeping records and making interesting copy from them is not realized except by those in the know, and Mr. Kelly’s long and punctual service in this connection redounds to his credit.  You can see the wonder man himself to-morrow at the “Football Sunday,” referred to in his notes
• Mrs. Tom Bromilow will complete a notable “halfback” line (in song) assisted on either wing by Miss Stud-Marks and Baby Stud-marks.
• Messrs, Troup, Brown, and Dominy, among others, have kindly consented to represent Everton, whilst the chairman will be none other than the “Echo” football chief, Mr. Ernest Edwards.- “Bee” for short.
• The “community” singing in this instance should be something to remember
• Everton have tried 27 players in their League team this season, Liverpool 21
• Newcastle and Everton have enjoyed the largest attendances in Division 1 this winter.
• The Blues have had seven gates that have topped the 2,000 pound mark
• Truly this is a fair evidence that they have a loyal lot of supporters who are merely dying to let themselves go
• The Blues real crisis period falls due within the next few weeks, when in turn such stiff “away” propositions as Leicester City, Liverpool, Huddersfield Town, and Newcastle United have to be faced. 

A “PEN PICTURE” OF THE BLUES!
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, January 29, 1927
Bee’s Dairy
Everton, it is true, is one of the oldest and finest teams in the country.  The present team is a combination of “Hardy” triers, who, though rather unlucky, are “Raitted” a very classy side.  The players do not “Kerr” to whom they are opposed, and always gave a “Virry” good show.  They always play with a “Hart,” being led by a brilliant centre forward, whose skin is “Brown” and aptly named Dixie.  It must be conceded that they “(C)richly” deserve the support given them by “Er-vine” and an enthusiastic band of spectators, which “Dean-otes” a bright future, when they hope to “Domin(y)” ate the First Division and subsequently “Troup” off the field as the envied victorious “League champions”! –JOSEPH BARKLEY.

EVERTON AT HULL
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday January 29 1927
MARTIN. THE NIPPIEST OF A SPRIGHTLY FORWARD LINE
PUTS HULL IN FRONT UP TO THE INTERVAL
DEAN COMES UNDER THE REFEREE’S NOTICE
By Bee
Everton; Hardy; McDonald, Kerr; Peacock, Hart (Captain), Virr; Moffatt, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, Troup.  Hull City; Maddison; McGee, Bell; Swan, Dixon, Bleakley; Horne, Scott, Whitworth, Martin, Taylor.  Referee; Mr. Woods.  So this is Hull! They are singing us in by means of the community singing habit; and though the wind wafts some of the songs into varying beats there is plenty of enthusiasm and lung power, and “Annie Laurie” goes with a will and is duly slaughtered, as is also the “Nuts from Barcelona.” It is a singing and bright world, but there is a lot of wind about and it is very gusty, so much so that one fears for good football.  Everton came along for this all-important Cup-tie from two ways.  One lot, with hundreds of followers from Liverpool, the other from Bridlington, in charge of Messrs, Coffey and Sharp.  The home contingent comes with Directors Bank and Green.  There is optismism in the camp after the way the Everton players shaped at West Ham last week. 
EARLIER MEETINGS
The players seen enthusiastic, too, and when they arrived on Hull’s ground they learn of the adjoining cricket interests of Hull where the county games are played.  There have been three visits of Everton to Hull, one was brought by a railway smash about five years ago, the other was a friendly game played by Bruce, Rankin and other earnest Everton lads in charge of Mr. Bert Barker, who was present, to-day, to renew the acquaintance.  This friendly game was played here at a time when Hull were just feeling their feet, their first season, and one which was filled with friendly games.  The sun shone on the visitors and the rightness at this point, and the weather clerk very decently kept off the rain spots so that the day’s threat of a deluge gradually turned into a pleasant elemental fact.  The ground was in fine condition, and the turf was admirable.  It looked as if it would yield firm foothold, and therefore it was a pleasant contrast to last week’s skating rink, for which many thanks. 
THE PRICE ON HIS HEAD
I hear that Harry Lewis, the former Liverpool and Hull player, attended today’s game for the purpose of asking Hull to reduce the fee on his head of 500 pounds.  He is keen to get into the game again, having bene out for full twelve months.  Hull announce that Martin, the Boness player, would resume in his old spot of inside left, McLoughlin dropping out.  Otherwise there were none of the old-time eleventh-hour surprises that shock newspaper readers and followers, however small the change may be.  For once in a way Everton said “O.K.,” which was what they could not say at Brighton for instance.  The home people rolled up in good numbers, and the crowd was estimated at 26,000.  This they said was a big crowd for this ground, which has one big stand broadside the playing pitch and a half-cover at the back of one of the goals.  Bill McCracken, the Newcastle United player and captain, and now manager of Hull, had no doubt duly primed his men what pattern to adopt and what measures to take to keep Everton subdued, but Everton reckoned they could combat this pattern. 
DAREWSKI KEYS THEM UP
Herman Darewski got the crowd warmed to a good pitch when he signaled the “Nation Anthem,” “The more we are together the merrier we shall be.” This was made evident when the band left the field and the crowd carried on their singing unaccompanied.  I noticed all around the ground mere nippers of nine or ten years of age had pride of place.  That’s the way to grow a crowd and loyal supporters for 1937.  True, they had to stand the risk of the weather, but what is it to a boy who is looking on his heroes?  The crowd here, as at Southampton, had the habit of singing and swaying in time, as was the custom in the old anniversary days.  We all tried to find out the way the wind went, and came to the conclusion it went all ways.  To Everton’s followers who have seen the Huddersfield ground I cannot do better than suggest that Anlavy-road is a duplicate of its West Riding sister. 
EVERTONIAN VOICES
Everton had plenty of vocal support, a train official telling me there must have been at least 1,500 spectators from our port side.  Among the number was one Parry, of railway concerns and Everton interests.  I mention him because of the chance meeting between Director Green and Parry, who spent a long period in France in the great days.  The referee was Mr. Wood and Hull began by winning the toss.  They looked a big side in their waspish yellow and black.  At once there was trouble over the cinematograph being too near the touchline.  When they had been put back, the game started with Hull making what I should call “Second Division strides”- that is to say, they punted hard and almost anywhere.  Virr was not going to be beaten by Scott, and his great persistence led him to a challenge from Dean.  Peacock had the wicked luck to find the ball trickle out after he had played constructive football.  This led to a rush by Hull, which Hart stemmed, after which we had the uncommon sight of Dean racing to outside left and forcing the pace all on his own. 
DIXON TO THE RESCUE
Hart brought in a beautiful back-heel touch, and this followed by first-class tactics on the part of Dominy, who had drifted towards centre forward, and let out a strong shot which Dixon headed out in order to save his goalkeeper, who had already fallen to make a save.  Dean was through three of the defenders when the goalkeeper left his charge, but there was no one to help him when he turned the ball four yards to the right.  The sun now shone brilliantly, and some of the Everton work was of a similar character, earning the applause of the crowd.  There was a free kick from a foul on Irvine, and it had an unusual ending.  Dean nodded the ball towards the left-hand side of the post, and the goalkeeper made quite an easy catch and startled everyone by falling headlong on to his shoulder.  He did not release his grip, and in any case no one wanted a goal from such a source at this.
A TROUBLESOME CORNER
Hull’s first corner was productive of a lot of trouble.  Martin shot amongst a crowd, and McDonald kicked away, and thus saved his goalkeeper, Kerr had to do likewise, and this for a time ended Hull’s innings, but one wanted to see a bit more of the Everton forwards.  Perhaps they heard me! At any rate, off went Dean, and he pushed the ball the nearest trifle too far ahead, otherwise he would have snapped a goal.  Bell deserved great credit for his timely tackles, because at this point the position was an open one.  Maddison, the home goalkeeper, was a bit nervy.  At any rate when he was challenged by Moffatt for possession on the edge of the penalty area he slipped and offered what should have been a goal. 
CLEVERLY CONTRIVED GOAL
Every time Hull moved off it was by means of a big punt, and once or twice McDonald was left to face the battalion.  Once he miskicked, and at the sixteenth minute his goal fell.  It fell to a good piece of initiation, too.  The chief man was Taylor, who very cleverly beat Peacock and turned the ball in for his partner Martin to celebrate his return with a goal.  Martin made one move to escape a back, and then he shot in from a very close range, probably three yards, to shock every visitor and please every home bird.  Now came the tug of war, and Irvine was very near when from inside left he tried to divert a spinning ball into the net. When Dean moved off he had three men on him, so there was no wonder he started a charging bout in a preliminary canter.  He bowled over the red-headed Bell, in fact, and made him give a corner.  From this came a troublesome moment in which the referee spoke to Dean, who a second later suffered a decision of offside when notice was not taken of his position when the ball was last played. He had all the field and no favour without doubt in this. 
A LIVELY VANGUARD
Martin was the most successful of Hull’s lively forwards; yet, at this stage, it struck me that Everton would save the day if they persevered and were not obsessed.  Confirmation of this came when a full back, passing to his goalkeeper, did not reckon with the pace and forethought of Moffatt.  Little had been seen of Moffatt, he having had little chance, and now he centred too far in, and brought as a result a bumping match between himself and the goalkeeper.  Troup also came to the fore with a centre that Maddison punched out one-handed, with Moffatt stoutly challenging him.  Troup came a second time, and with a dash forward it looked any odds on him scoring, and when he apparently tried to lift the ball over the goalkeeper it sailed over the bar.
SOMETHING IN THEIR HEADS
This was a chance.  In a Cup-tie one expects first-time shooting, and yet in half an hour only one shot had been tried.  There was not an undue amount of kicking out, and there was not an abundance of cleverness.  One had to admire the swift, practical cleverness of the home left wing, who had a working agreement.  Peacock had been limping for ten minutes, and McDonald had been packed up, so that these, along with a corner kick failure by Moffatt and the advent of Irvine’s customary play, led the right flank of the Everton side into the shade a bit.  Hull began to work the offside oracle, and Peacock began to work in a maze from which he arise the winner.  Everton’s second real goal-shooting effort came when Troup lashed in a shot to make Maddison jump and quiver when he caught it.  Swann responded in typical Huddersfield fashion with a magnificent shot, bumping from a defender’s head and going near goal. 
KERR AS A STOIC
At this point Kerr received a boot on the ribs, but it takes more than this to upset this sturdy son of Scotland. Taylor nodded a spinning ball to Hardy’s hands, this chance arising through Irvine over-dribbling and being fantastical.  Hull were playing confidently, and when Horne centred across the goal it should have been a gift for a lead of two nil.  Once again the ball was too fast for Dean, who had run himself out with his up and down middle dashes.  Dean was a much marked man, and the referee gave a free kick against him for one of the most remarkable alleged offences.  The goalkeeper fell and was challenged by Dean, who stood over the goalkeeper and took charge and charge again from one and another of the defenders, only to find it cost him a free kick.  This was an absurd decision.  The interval came with Everton down but not out.  Half-time; Hull City 1, Everton 0.
EVERTON STILL IN
VIRR EQUALISES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE STRUGGLE
REPLAY ON WEDNESDAY
Half-time impressions were rather sad.  Hull were in front, and having got the goal they were entitled to their lead, but the Everton forwards had not been on their game, and they had so far failed to get a grip of combination.  There was an absence of flame and fury on their part, and though Maddison had twice saved his side, we were confronted with the fact that the visiting goalkeeper had practically nothing to do except pick up stray balls. Thus Hull not having made the best of their chances, for they were undoubtedly the quicker and more combined attacking side, should have been made to suffer for their work in front of goal and the absence of their shots. 
THE RIGHT WING ECLIPSED
Dean seemed to be the one forward on view judging by the way the crowd acted towards him when he moved off.  He was well watched all through the picture, which should have meant that the right wing had more chance to shine.  It is my unfortunate lot to have to tell you that the right wing was hardly seen during the first half.  There was time to improve, fortunately.  In the first second of the most important half of the game Troup made an all too hasty shot.  This is not like the wee man, but away on the left wing again the home side began to make good again, and were only stopped in their antics when Hart stepped in.  some relief arose when Irvine was badly grassed by a defender, Kerr shooting outside.  There was now an uncertainly about Dixon, and should trouble develop it may cost the home team dearly.  Cut and come again was the principle, and Taylor did damaging work until Virr stopped his racket.  Troup near the touch-line did a trick that escaped notice, and Moffatt swung in a centre that troubled Maddison, who seemed to be limping as a result of his first half accident.  
CALL FROM LINESMAN IGNORED
Back went the game to the other end, and while the linesman flagged vigorously for offside, the referee said, “Play on,” The result of this was that Hull should have scored, especially as Hardy dropped the ball after running out.  Hardy’s huge goal kick went three-parts the length of the field, and when Dean was challenged in taking it he found the ball cannon into the goalkeeper’s hands.  Thus the ball had travelled the whole length of the field in one-and-a-half kicks.  Irvine followed this up by taking a ball that everyone thought would go outside and when he collared it he passed back, and Dean was too surprised to take the chance. 
COULD THEY DO IT?
Troup had two bad spells and Irvine was positively “murdered” when he dribbled ahead, Peacock putting the free kick over the bar.  Nobody was doing better than Virr at this stage.  The whole question now seemed to concentrate on the ability of the Everton forwards to break down Hull’s stern defence.  Dean had a kick from a player, yet went on to drive in a shot that Maddison touched with his right hand.  This was a grand save and highly important at this point.  Dominy nearly crowned Troup’s centre, and followed it up with charging the goalkeeper over the line and making a corner. 
A GOAL TO BE REMEMBERED
This was Everton’s heftiest five minutes.  The corner was fatal.  There was a slight delay while a Hull man was attended to for lack of wind, and Troup then curled the ball towards the middle, where Virr slammed in an enormous shot, which rattled up against the top netting on the left-hand side.  It was a goal all the way, and as it went towards its mark I yelled “Goal!” with a roar that would have broken any microphone.  Virr had the hugging of his life.  This put new life into the Everton folk, who had become apprehensive as to what was going to happen, and Peacock not only went to stop the illusive Taylor, but he served Moffatt with passes.  All square and fifteen minutes to go.  What shall the harvest be?  There was a spot of bother between Dominy and Swan.  It was the outcome of excitement.  Anyone who knows Dominy knows a gentleman.  Moffatt caught the fire on the occasion without being able to make much of his taller opponent, and the minute’s interval that arose through Martin being damaged was welcomed by everybody.  Ten minutes to go.  Dean is apparently through when the referee gives “Hands” against his opponent.  What does the rule book say about refraining from whistling?  Five minutes to go.  It seems a long game.  The players probably agree.  Three minutes to go.  Moffatt darts away from everybody and centres.  No one accepts the chance of becoming famous/.  Moffatt winds up in a blaze of glory.  Hardy runs out and clears with ease.  That’s all.  Final; Hull City 1, Everton 1.
The referee played a minute short in the second half.  Replay Wednesday.
REPLAY ARRNAGEMENTS
Replay Wednesday; 2.30 kick-off.
Tickets at 5s and 3s 6d for Goodison road and Bullens-road will be on sale at Goodison Park from 9.15 Monday morning onwards and at Sharp’s Whitechapel.  The goal double-decker will be unreserved.  Gates opened at one o’clock.  No’ phone orders will be taken, and all remittances must be by postal order with stamped addressed envelope included. 

EVERTON “A” V BURSCOUGH RANGERS
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, January 29, 1927
At Goodison Park.  Without being really brilliant, the first half football was interesting, and the one goal scored by Bennett which gave Burscough a half time lead was well merited.  The home forwards missed many chances through poor finishing.  Hughes saved brilliantly from Bennett and Cunningham, but on resuming, Pye scored a second and third for Burscough. 

EVERTON COMBING. SCOTLAND.
Sunday Post - Sunday 30 January 1927
DESPERATE QUEST FOR TWO PLAYERS.
BY THE TRAVELLER.
EVERTON representatives have been in Scotland for a full week. Several of them were at the Ayr United-Airdrieonians Cup tie at Somerset Park. At the replay at Airdrie on Wednesday Everton people were interested onlookers, and there has been considerable speculation to the conversation they had with ex- Bailie Buchanan and Manager Struth, of the Rangers, who were also present at this match. Now, the fact of the matter Everton are desperately in need of a qentre half-back and an inside forward. They want readymade players—players to bang into the League eleven, players with a scientific punch such as had Alec Raisbeck and as has Andrew Cunningham. doubt their representatives' presence at the Cup-tie games in question was made the hope that business would be done concerning one or two Airdrie players —probablv M'Phail and M'Dougall—but as the 'Onians are still in the ties there was nothing, doing in that quarter. A story got abroad that the Everton folk were after Tom Muirhead, of Rangers. was probably the sequel to the representatives of the clubs having been seen together at Airdrie. Personally, not think that Everton hare Muirhead in their eye at all. They may, but, from what I gathered yesterday, I should not wonder if it Ireland, of the Rangers, in whom they are at the moment interested. Two representatives were the West of Scotland yesterday —Messrs Kirkwood and Fair —and I'm told the quest is to be continued until Everton's object is achieved. Gibson, of Hamilton Academicals, is, I understand, giving them some food for reflection, but at the time of writing it is not certain who will be secured for Goodison Park. Everton are prepared to pay top prices for really top-hole players.

HULL CITY 1 EVERTON 1 (Fa Cup Game 119)
January 31 st 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
FA CUP ROUND FOUR
KEEN STRUGGLE AT HULL.
EVERTON AND THE HUKLL EARN A REPLAY
VISTORS' MODERATE FORWARDS.
By “Bees.”
Everton and Hull City replay their fourth round Cup-tie on Wednesday at Goodison Park. They both deserved a second issue. The game at Hull was not a good one, but one has gone beyond the day when good football is looked for in a Cup-tie. The fact is that the issue are too great to allow a player to take a risk he could afford to take in a League game. It was hard go-ahead football, and it had many good points, but they were mainly in defence. There was one good wing in view this being the Hull City left wing pair. Martin and Taylor who dovetailed beautifully and were a source of trouble from an early stage. It was this wing which worked for and obtained a goal lead in the first half. They changed places got the half-back and full back guessing and eventually Martin scored a fast low ball that passed between Hardy's legs, recalling the goal Hodgson got against Robson at Bournemouth in an earlier round. No blame attaches to Hardy for the goal; he had no chance to save, and it was mere luck that the ball passed through as it did.
STURDY BACKS.
Everton for too long stretches seemed incapable of forming a well conducted attack; they were a thing of shreds, though it has to be conceded that Maddison kept out three good shots, and that Hardy was never a busy man, thanks to two sturdy backs in McDonald and Kerr. The fact remains that Everton's forward line did not work smoothly, and the play of Moffatt on the extreme right was of poor quality; the young man seemed over anxious to work the ball, and his attempts to head a ball left him wide of the mark. The greatest trouble Everton suffered for close on an hour was that they could not make an impression on two very sturdy backs, and a goalkeeper who was rather electric in his saves and his demeanor. If Everton could not produce cohesive forward formation they could hardly expect to spoil Hull's reowned defence record. Dominy made one of the best shots of the day, and Troup tried a couple, but lofting one effort he failed close in, while his hasty shot in the first breath of the second half did not suggest the work of a man of years of experience.
VIRR'S GOAL.
A quarter of an hour from the end Dominy rather cleverly got the goalkeeper and the ball over the line for a corner kick, and Troup sent the ball in for Virr to take a pot shot. It was a brilliant drive, and recalled the days when Abbott used to send in similar shots from the half-back position. Virr had been rather bewildered early on, but gradually he found his feet, his wing, and some useful punts towards safety. His goal put into the Everton side a spirit that had been lacking, and before the end Everton had not only earned their draw, but had come near winning the game. They were well on top of their adversaries at the finish, and if Moffatt, who blossomed out in the last five minutes, had had a following up comrade a goal must have risen to make a sensational ending. However, that would have been against the run of the play, in which one saw quick tackling by the home half-backs, notably by Swan and Dixon, while in the forward line Martin and Taylor were outstanding. I would put them as the best pair on the field, and would add that the extreme winger –Taylor –was the best forward of the day. But there were some rather poor forwards –notably in the case of the home centre and the right wing, while on the Everton side Irvine, though playing plucky football and fearing nothing, had a poor first half and a rough and undeservedly heavy second half.
DEAN WELL WATCHED.
Dean, at centre forward,, worked in a desperate groove. The ball did not come to him nicely, but he certainly had so big a bodyguard that the other forwards should have had a happy day. That they did not have this was due in part, to Moffatt's partial failure and to the left wing being gripped by the former Huddersfield half-back. One of the strangest incident of the game was the fall of Maddison through a charge, and the appearance of Dean guarding him and taking strong charges first from the left and then from the right, with the shoulder in full use keeping his body rigid and straight. The referee, Mr. Wood, of Sheffield handled the game well and with a good controlling hand, but here he gave a free kick against Dean. The local crowd of about 22,000 spectators brought in £!,931, and they made themselves heard before the game by community singing and afterwards by howls of derision against Dean, who has lately developed his charging ability. Afterwards they were generous to confess that Dean was their great doubt from the first minute, and they wished he had changed places with his vis-à-vis. The conditions continued quite good until the finish although the weather was certainly windy, and that in fairness to the players, was a big handicap. It was good to see the Everton backs and goalkeeper standing firm in the face of the Yorkshire roar and the ruste of the Hull left wing. Though there were some tough incidents the game was fought in a good spirit, and if it was not a classic it certainly had the merit of being a hard, earnest game, and nowadays a Second Division team at home always has a ripe chance of creating a surprise against a First Division side. Teams: - Hull City: - Maddison, goal, McGee, and Bell, backs, Swan, Dixon, and Sullivan, half-backs, Horne, Scott Whitworth, Martin, and Taylor, forwards. Everton: - Hardy, goal, McDonald, and Kerr, backs, Peacock, Hart (captain), and Virr half-backs, Moffatt, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup, forwards.

EVERTON TO TAKE BRINE BATHS
January 31, 1927. The Daily Courier.
Virr's Great Goal
Forces Hull to Visit Goodison Park
Hull 1, Everton, 1
A draw was a fair reflex of the game at Hull. Everton never rose above Second Division class, the play of their forwards being disjointed. What passing they did was of the close variety and ineffective, and as a line they were entirely lacking in cohesion. It was typical Cup-tie football with plenty of incident but the play far removed from brilliance. After Dean, the Everton leader, had come near to going through on his own in the first few minutes, the Hull forwards became the more aggressive, principally through the left wing pair, and it was fortunate for Everton that Whitworth was weak at centre. Hull's first goal, fourteen minutes after the start, was the result of the prettiest movement seen during the game, and the Everton defence was left helpless. The ball was passed to Martin, who being marked, passed it to Taylor. After beating Peacock, Taylor returned the ball to Martin, who side-stepped when rushed by McDonald, and scored with a swift shot, the ball going between hardy's legs. Hull deserved to be in front at the interval, but from three-quarter time onward Everton were top dog. It was at this period that Everton drew level. A corner kick was well placed by Troup, and Virr, the Everton half-back, shot with deadly accuracy high out of Maddison's reach into the corner of the net. Maddison had more work to do than Hardy, and he saved two brilliant shots, one from Dominy and the other from Dean. There was one remarkable incident, Maddison, in one of his frequent rushes out of goal, fell with the ball in his hands just inside the penalty line. Dean tried to force the ball from him, and when Bell and McGee joined in there was charging and counter-charging over the prostrate form of the goalkeeper until the referee intervened. With the exception of Dean, the Everton forwards were once again, most disappointing. Dean played well on to the opposing backs and he was repeatedly baulked by the off-side tactics of the Hull defenders. Moffatt, who took the place of Critchley at outside right, did some brilliant things in the closing stages, but for the greater part of the game he showed a lack of confidence. Hart was a hard worker, clever and resourceful, and he always had the measure of the Hull leader. Virr was much more reliable than Peacock. The Everton backs were sound in their kicking and tackling, and Kerr often went to the assistance of his colleagues. For Hull, Taylor, and Martin were a clever and purposeful left wing, and were the pick of the forwards. Whitworth, the centre forward, was the weak spot in the line. Dixon, at centre half, was the best player of the side, tackling and kicking with great accuracy. Bell and McGee showed up well at full-back, but they appeared more sound than they really were through, the Everton forwards' lack of cohesion. Teams; Everton; Hardy, goal; McDonald and Kerr, backs; Peacock, Hart (Captain), and Virr, half-backs; Moffatt, Irvine, Dean, Dominy and Troup, forwards. Hull City; Maddison, goal; McGee and Bell, backs; Swan, Dixon and Sullivan, half-backs; Horne, Scott, Whitworth, Martin and Taylor, forwards. Attendance 22,000-Recipts £1,800
• F A Cup Round Four
• Liverpool 3 (Hodgson, Chambers, Edmed; Southport 1 (Waite)
• Hull City 1 (Martin); Everton 1 (Virr)
• Barnsley 1 (Eaton); Swansea Town 3 (Fowler (2), Hole)
• Chelsea 7 (Thain (2), Wilson (2), Turnbull (3); Accrington Stanley 2 (Powell (2)
• Corinthians 1 (Claude-Ashton); Newcastle 3 (McDonald (2), McKay)
• Darlington 0 Cardiff 2 (McLaughlin, Ferguson)
• Derby 0 Millwall Athletic 2 (Plackett own goal, Phillips)
• Fulham 0, Burnley 4 (Bell (2), Page, Bruton)
• Leeds 0 Bolton 0
• Port Vale 2 (Parker own goal, Kirkham; Arsenal 2 (Buchan, Brian)
• Preston 0 Middlesbrough 3 (Camsell (3)
• Reading 3 (Richardson, McDonald, Johnstone); Portsmouth 1 (Haines)
• Southampton 4 (Rawlings, Rowley (2), Harkins); Birmingham 1 (Briggs)
• The Wednesday 1 (Trotter), South Sheilds 1 (Matthewson)
• Wolves 2 (Phillipson, Weaver); Notts Forest 0
• League Division One
• Aston Villa 4 (Walker (2), Capewell (2); Blackburn 3 (Holland, Harper, Rigby)
• Huddersfield 2 (Cook, Brown); Tottenham 0
• Sunderland 3 (Gurney, Halliday (2); Leicester 0
• West Brom 3 (Davies (2), Carter); Bury 1 (Ball)

LAPSES BY BOTH. 
Athletic News-Monday, January 31, 1927
FIGHT ALL THE WAY BY EVERTON AND HULL
DEFENSIVE STRENGTH
HULL CITY 1 EVERTON 1
By Third Porter
A GRIM ninety minutes’ struggle, fiercely fought out every inch of the way both Hull City and Everton, yielded no definite result, and proceedings will be resumed at Goodison Park on Wednesday.  Neither team deserved victory. Chances were there in abundance for both sides, but no player was able to rise to the occasion more than once.  Hull hart the greater number of lapses from a scoring standpoint, but it was their misfortune to have to carry the weakest forward on the field, in Horne, who rarely did anything right, his laboured and indecisive methods often turning out more the advantage of the opposition than his own. In consequence, Hull’s most enterprising front rank man, Scott, was thrown entirely out of gear, and the forward line as a whole became unbalanced.   Perhaps too much attention had been bestowed on City’s right flank in the first half, for nothing that mattered ever emerged this section, and Virr and Kerr had an easy task.
THE BETTER WING
It was different on the other wing, where Taylor and Martin careered along with fine understanding throughout.  Taylor was a virile and brainy exponent, and often it was due rather to luck than to intent that Peacock and McDonald were able to prevent the ex-Aberdare player from steering the ball out of Hardy’s reach.  Taylor played the chief part In the registering Hull’s goal, which came a quarter of hour from the start.  Scott started the movement, the ball wending its way to Taylor via Whitworth.  Taylor outwitted Peacock, and then turned the ball to Martin, who aimed in without the slightest hesitation and Hardy’s charge fell. It was good goal, and for a time acted as a tonic upon the home players, but it’seffect soon wore away, and Everton would have drawn level before the interval but for Maddison’s safe work in goal.  One outstanding instance was his saving point-blank shot from Troup.  The latter, at another time, had the easiest chance of the day when he ran on, while Hull’s players stood appealing for offside. The referee waved Troup on, but although unchallenged, he weakly diverted the ball outside the posts. 
BELL'S TUSSLES WITH DEAN. 
Dean, as a bustler, achieved a certain amount of success, but very little was seen of him either as a schemer or opportunist after the opening ten minutes. .  During that period Dean’s methods were barely understandable Hull’s backs. He frequently broke through the cordon, but each time he found a final master in Bell. Bell's duels with the prospective England centre were typical of the dour spirit of the contest. Like Hull, Everton suffered through indifferent workmanship on their right wing. Moffat and Irvine never blended in a manner beneficial to the side, although Irvine himself, after running to inside left, was once very close to piloting a spinning ball into the net.  It was different with Troup on the opposite wing. He was skilful and elusive in all he did.  Troup was a thorn the side of Hull’s defence, and was only in keeping with things that he should have been the means of bringing about Everton’s equalizing goal.   This was the result a corner gained when Dominy charged Maddison over his own line. Troup took the kick, and curled the ball in deftly to the centre, for Virr to bang it behind Maddison. 
ADMIRABLE DEFENDERS. 
There were still twenty minutes to go, but judging by the quality of the defences, it was odds against further goals. There was always plenty to admire the defences; and surety was firmly embodied in the work of Hart, McDonald, and Kerr on one side, and Bell, Dixon, and McGee on the other.  With more subtlety in manoeuvring, Horne might have been the means of giving Hull the lead, but Horne’s lapses were balanced Dean, who, when Hull’s goal was untenanted, shot the ball at McGee.  Hull City.—Maddison; McGee, Bell; Swan, Dixon, Sullivan; Horne, Scott, Whitworth, Martin, and Taylor.  Everton; Hardy; McDonald, Kerr; Peacock, Hart, Moffat, Irvine, Dean, Dominy, and Troup.  Referee E. Wood, Sheffield.

VIRR GOOT; EVERTON SOLID CHANCE OF WINNING CUP REPLAY
Liverpool Echo-Monday, January 31, 1927
Bee’s Notes
Everton and their thousands of supporters were met at Exchange Station and rallied with rattles and cheers.  But it might have been otherwise.  Half-way through the journey, when the train was going at express rate, the carriage gave an immense bump and cards, kitties, money, eatables, and tables were thrown about in disorder.  The train seemed to heave on one side, while taking a severe bond, and everyone agreed that one was lucky to get off with one’s life.  Another impending apology; The Hull City programme on Saturday patted Dominy on the back, telling what a fair player he was and adding; “He is ‘UNscrupilously fair.’”  Everton went to Stafford for a brine bath to-day. 
We had heard quite a lot about this Hull City’s defence.  They were said to have been wanted en bloc by Liverpool, who promptly denied the story, while admitting that the goalkeeper was a good one, but they had two better and one perhaps nearly as good.  Well, we saw a lot of them against Everton in the Cup-tie and came to the conclusion that in the Second or First Division football they should be more than useful.  The main point about them is that they are so practical and dependable, and the goalkeeper played in that easy, confident manner, even when he had been injured, that suggested that he could go on playing for ever in the same sweet way.  I liked both backs, and I liked some of their half-back work, notably the rugged display of Dixon at centre-half back.  Here is a big one and a good one to boot.  Add the experience of Swan, of Huddersfield, and you see that Billy McCracken’s side has been framed on big dimensions.  They were a well-built side, and the side makes up for loss of class by a deep depression in the opposing defence.  I do not think I have seen many left pairs, save that at Anfield, show a better understanding.  They paired off like turtle doves and they were an immense danger to the defence on the right flank.  They did just enough, never too much, and if they had a good centre forward to take toll of Hunter Hart’s wide-awake centre half game they would have created a lot of danger.
UNABLANCED
As it was, their forward line was as unbalanced as that of the visiting side.  I reckoned that the occasion was too much for Moffatt, who did not get going until late on, and then showed what a dainty yet brilliant raider he can be.  I think it is a lack of success in the past that has been Moffatt’s great trouble.  He doesn’t seem to trust himself.  Not that I am suggesting that Moffatt should carry the whole of the blame for the lack of penetration that Everton showed for nearly an hour.  No, Irvine had a poor first half, and Troup did not touch his highest point owing to what seemed over haste, which is this case is rather remarkable, for he has had years of experience in the game.  Add the general failure of the forwards to show the necessary cohesive style and you see the difficulty of believing there would be any goals to the Everton side.  For the second week the forwards hardly lived up to their game.  The difference in the side was severely felt when Everton got the Virr goal from a corner.  The Blues were a transformed side from that moment and not only deserved their draw but came near winning through the agency of Moffatt, strange to say, he being a live working wire who raided and opened out a chance of success in the fleeting phrases of a hard, keen game, with little fault in the matter of sportsmanship, but was naturally a game that was built on Cup-tie lines.  Players will not take a risk in these games; they cannot afford to “work” the ball; hence the rush and flurry, the fury and the furore in a Cup-tie.  Home life counts for something to a Yorkshire side, as they have such hearty followers- let Everton followers please take note- and when they roar they encourage their players.  Certainly Everton have not had such a following as Saturday’s for many a day.  Why, even the bar was empty on the return journey before the train had been going an hour!  These Everton followers present made themselves heard and they gave encouragement that was sorely needed.  It is the fans and it is arguable, that at the hour Everton were not framing towards a goal.  It is equally the case that at 70 minutes they were equal and five minutes later they were well on top of their rivals, who had lost their confidence and what football ability they have been credited with.
WORTHY OF MENTION
One thing is worth special mention.  The Everton defenders played a taut, stout game and kept up their cudgels to the last kick.  The goalkeeper Hardy, was beaten by a ball that passed between his legs.  Very few seemed to have seen this, and I was specially interested in it, because going up to the match I mentioned to Directors Green and Banks the Liverpool case at Bournemouth, where Hodgson squeezed the ball through Robson’s legs, and there were Liverpool people present who could not believe that the goal had come in this way.  I don’t remember a similar happening, yet, there it was being repeated in identical manner, and with still the same doubt on the part of those who looked on.  Hardy was NOT to blame for the goal; he did all he could after Peacock and McDonald had been well beaten by the neat left wing pair.  Hardy was on his toes and on the qui vive, and I am specially anxious that the reference to his goal should not be associated with any suggestion of faultiness on his part.  I only mention the matter because of the curious coupling,  Virr, who started rather out of place, eventually got going, and his punting in the second half was of very valued help to his side.  Of course, his great goal from Troup’s flag kick (due to Dominy’s forceful charge of the goalkeeper and the ball over the corner line) was a memorable goal, full of possibilities and of special interest to Liverpool people, as it means Hull City will come to this city for the first time in their history.  You will find the Tigers a very good side to watch; they are big made and are keen goers.  By the way, the Everton captain, Hart, had a nice telegram from Poole and his bowling club at Liscard, wishing the club luck.  Everton shareholders willing to act as Stewarts for Wednesday’s Cup-tie are asked to attend the Goodison Park offices to-morrow night, at 7.30, for instructions. 
DEAN, OF EVERTON AGAIN CHOSEN FOR “ENGLAND”
The following teams were chosen to play in the International Trail, at Bolton, a week today.  England; Brown (Sheffield Wed); Goodall (Huddersfield), Waterfields (Burnley); Edwards (Leeds), Seddon (Bolton), Green (Sheffield United), Spence (Manchester U), Brown (Huddersfield), Dean (Everton), Walker (Villa) capt, and Page (Burnley).  Rest-Pym (Bolton); A.G. Bower (Corinthians), Cope (Arsenal); Nuttall (Bolton), Kean (Sheffield Wed), F.H. Ewar (Corinthians) capt; Pease (Middleborough), Cross (Burnley), Camsell (Middleborough), Rigby (Blackburn) and Ruffell (West Ham), Reserves to travel; Forster (Spurs), Elkes (Spurs), and Carr (Middleborough),  Referee; W.F. Bunnell, Preston.
DIXIE DEAN’S DEPUTY
Everton have been hard pressed for a follower or deputy of Dixie Dean.  Thus to-day they have signed Patterson, the Camelon Juniors’ centre-forward, who is well spoken of by those who have followed his junior career.  He is well built for the job; 5ft 8ins, in height and 11 stone in weight. He has been signed with a view to “future,” and will doubtless make his debut in the reserve team on Saturday next.  Everton have been taking nothing but young ones in their recent signings- Griffiths, &c., to wit. 
CUP DRAW
Wolves v Hull City or Everton
It is uncommonly strange that there is a possibility of Everton running into a couple of their former players, namely, Weaver and Chadwick, on February 19.  There is no need to delve into this particular tie at the moment, because the Everton replay is not due until Wednesday, but this much can be recalled, that Wolves many years ago beat Everton in a Cup final at Fallowfield, this being the famous occasion when Everton arranged for a band to meet them on the return so that they should play.  “see the conquering hero comes” but having been beaten by one goal to none they returned “by the back door.”  Wolves came to Everton soon after the war and won by 1-0 at a time when they did not seem to be in the hunt, but the Midland side has always been a cup fighting side. 

EVERTON “A” 0 BURSCOUGH RANGERS 4
January 31 st 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
LIVERPOOL COUNTY COMBINATION
At Goodison Park. Everton “A” were defeated by a team whose general all-round superiority led them to scoring four goals and it was fortunate for the home side that Hughes the custodian was in form, otherwise the margin against would have been heavier. Burscough were much the better side in the second half when Pye (2) and Snape added to Bennett's first half goal.