EVERTON BACK HOME

June 1, 1936. The Liverpool Echo.

Bee's Notes.

Mr. Theo Kelly sends his final letter on Everton's tour – The home journey passed off with little of note, excepting that Gillick , Jones and Leyfield did not appear to “enjoy” too well the short but tempestuous passage of the Amsterdam from Hook to Harwick. Steve likened Torrie to a greyhound in his manner of expressing dissatisfaction.” The final days at Berlin were of great interest to all. A visit to the new sports grounds being especially erected on the site of Germany's Ascot racecourse was an eye-opener. An open-air theatre to seat 25,000 has been created in a natural dell, and this was indeed the prettiest of garden sights. Their football Stadium is larger than our Wembley. It has seating accommodation for 90,000, and a further 20,000 can stand to look down on a picture piece of turf. Swimming baths, tennis courts are other main points in the construction. Every Olympic sport is marvellously well provided for, and in addition the whole place will after the Games, become the national headquarters of all German sports associations. The number of offices is legion and already the Football Association have moved in. M “From here, we moved on to the special village built by the army about five miles away, for the housing of all Athletic who are taking in the game. Every country' representatives will have its own house, cooks, &c, and their Athletic will able to do their training under conditions similar to those existing in their own lands. The thoughness of the arrangements is to complete that 75 men from all over German, speaking the 57 required languages will be in attendance during August. Telephone exchanges special post office indeed. Everything is provided in the evening we had the farewell banquet from the Deutscher Football Bund. Every member sat down to a table on which the British and German flags were coupled; a pair for each person Association badges and very fine Boxcalf Wallets were distributed and Mr. Green was presented with a silver tray for use in our club's offices.

No Mistake.

Mr. F. Linnermann the president of the German Association, in opening the proceedings, welcomed us all, and told how our presence with them that evening had its story. The story was one that is known to all your readers by now –that of the Test team idea. He said that in choosing Everton as the teachers they had made no mistake. The directors and players had proved themselves good comrades and good friends of their German associates. As was the custom in British sport our players had fought for 90 minutes as good sportsmen. They were glad to have finished even with us, and the results showed that the teams had been “sparring” throughout. No one could feel crushed in Germany, and for this reason, he had pleasure in saying “Auf Wiedersehn” He hoped Everton would soon return, and besides the playing of matches be able to see more of the Fatherland. Earl von Schulenburg, representing the ladder of all sports, is supporting Mr. Linnemann, referred to the manner in which sport –and particularly football can bridge between counties, where politics so often fail.

Games Enjoyed.

Mr. Green, in replying, thanked the German people for their very warm welcome. It was gratifying to the tourists to know that their efforts were appreciated. They knew before leaving England what their commitments were as a test team, and the directors were satisfied that the players had given of their best. The spectators showed that they had enjoyed the game, and the party had also enjoyed them, and had in addition experienced the best things in the greatest comfort. He saw what wonderful work for the young people of the country, the erection of these fully equipped stadium was, and speaking of stadiums reminded him of the Reichsportsfeld. (Olympic Games Stadium). Overawed was the word to described one's feelings of the sight of the magnificent structure. He thanked the German who had made the tour such a success and said that the party were returning much wiser than they came. He quoted Kipling's famous words, “What does he know of England, who only England knows?” To those who were first on tour it would help to keep England in a truer perspective. We could see in the German's strong, virile clean race – a well ordered and organised community. We could visualise a great country. Especially he wanted to refer to Dr. Otto Nerz. He was an old friend, strong and fearless with a sense of humour that was similar to our own. Every one of the English party liked him very much, and wished to publicly thank him for a great time.

Ties of Friendship.

In condition, he thanked the president of the German Football Association for the present of the souvenir plate, and the members of the Association for helping to make the tour such a success. They could be assured that we would take back with us the sentiments that they hoped we would take, namely, that our ties of friendship had been strengthened. Jock Thomson spoke on behalf of the players, and then there was a general desire to have Charlie Gee on his feet. Charlie was quite willing, and his speech was one of the best ever. He wound up on a note referring to the Association of the Motherland and Fatherland, and was given a great rally when he set down. When we arrived in London, Thomson, Gillick, Britton, Geldard, Archer, Cunliffe and Leyfield went their several ways after fond adieus and the final stage of the journey home passing through the Edge Hill tunnel was marked by the singing of Mr. Jack Sharp's signature tune outside the door of his compartment. And so ended the German tour of 1936. Happy days.

FORMER EVERTON PLAYER
Liverpool Echo-Tuesday June 2, 1936
DEATH OF A LIVERPOOL RAILWAY OFFICIAL
Mr. Owen R. Griffiths, commercial assistant to the Cheshire Lines manager (Mr. Gerald Leedam) at Liverpool, and a former Everton footballer, died today at his home, 6, Gordon-drive, Cressington, after six week’s illness, in his sixtieth year.  He started with the Cheshire Lines about 45 years ago, at Brunswick goods station, Liverpool.  Later he served in several departments, eventually becoming chief claims clerk, from which post he was appointed assistant to the then manager, the late Mr. W. H. Oates. He later occupied the position under Messrs. A. P. Ross and S. T. Burgoyne, and finally Mr. Gerald Leedam. A great follower of all kinds of sport, Mr. Griffith used to play for Everton Football Club.  He also possessed a good tenor voice, and in his younger days sang a great deal for the Welsh churches on Merseyside. He leaves s widow and one son, Mr. Trevor Griffith, a member of the Midland Bank staff in Liverpool.

EVERTON'S £8,813 DEBIT ON SEASON.

June 3, 1936. The Evening Express

“Gate” Receipts Down By £13,473

By The Watcher.

Everton F.C's balance sheet for last season shows an excess of expenditure over income amounting to £8,813, as compared with a profit of £5,353 in the previous year. There was a decline of £13, 473 in “gate” receipts, which last season amounted to £42,070 6s. 6d, compared with £55,543 0s, 5d for the previous season. Expenses are down, however. The sum of £55,954 8s, 8d, spent last season in players wages, transfers, travelling expenses etc, is £591 6s 2d, less than the previous season. Expenditure last season on players' wages and transfers was £90, 4-7 –nearly double the previous season's figure –but, apart from ground expenses and grounds men's wages, almost every other item on the expenditure side is lower than the previous season's. The Directors commend payment of a dividend at the rate of 7 ¼ per cent, less Income Tax at 4s 9d, in the £, leaving a balance of £47,690 17s 7d, to be carried forward. The directors record with deep regret the loss the club has sustained by the death of Mr. A. R. Wade and Mr. T.H.McIntosh. Mr. Wade was a director for 24 years and Mr. McIntosh was secretary for 16 years. The retiring directors Messrs W.C. Cuff, A. Coffey and J. Sharp will offer themselves for re-election at the annual general meetings to be held on Thursday, June 11, in the Law Association Rooms, Cook-Street, Liverpool.

 

£8,000 LOSS REFLECTS EVERTON'S ANXIOUS SEASON.

June 8, 1936. The Liverpool Echo.

Blackstaff's Notes.

We have Everton's figures with which to toy, and the culmination of an anxious football season is the fact that expenditure exceeded income by £8,813 compared with a profit of %5,353 the previous year. A Reduction in gate receipts at home matches amounting to nearly £14,000 shows that the fans do register their disappointment in a tangible way and there is some indication of Everton's lack of attraction in away games in that they drew about £1,500 less as their share of the other club's “gates.” Players wages and transfer fees costing £20,407, as compared with £10,949, more than account for the loss on the season's working, but the acquisition of Gillick, Miller, and Bell, which comes within this figure; is to be reckoned as an investment which may bring a return in the future. Visitors to Goodison Park received only £5,752 as compared with £13,262.

 

STUD MARKS.

May 6, 1936. The Liverpool Football Echo

By Louis T. Kelly.

•  Glad to see gentlemanly Frank Jefferis making a move up from Southport as trainer to Millwal F.C, Jefferis was one of the neatest and most pleasing dribbles of his day. Never a big scorer he could spoon-feed his fellow Everton forwards. Jointed Everton towards the close of 1910-11 and made his debut the same day as centre-forward Tom Gracie.

•  Two of the event of the recent Everton tour in Germany were a drive across the Taunas Mountains and a visit to the champagne cellar of Henkell.

 

J ARCHERTRANSFERRED TO COVENTRY CITY

June 12, 1936. The Liverpool Daily Post

Everton have transferred J. Archer, their left back to Coventry City, Archer was somewhat of ulititily man at Goodison Park, for apart from appearing in the middle-line, he has figured on the wing in the attack. Archer joined Everton from Walsall on May 8, 1931.

 

NEW DIRECTORS.

June 24, 1936, The Liverpool Daily Post

The directors of the Everton have co-opted Mr Thomas Percy on the board in place of the late Mr. Wade. There were five names, submitted, and Mr. Percy was chosen. He is an estate agent, and building surveyor to the Coventry Building society and lives at White Lodge, Roby. Was born near Everton Football ground and played football for the Walton Parish Church in the South Lancashire League, and was an Zingri referee. He played football until three years ago, his last game being for the casuals against Hightown. He is forty-three years of age and the youngest member of the Everton board. His brother, Frank is a supplementary referee on the football league list. Another brother William played for the Everton “A-team, and is well known lawn tennis player last year and reached the semi-final of the Isle o Man tournament, being beat by the Rev J. Jackson, the former Liverpool footballer.

 

ALAN HUGHES GOES TO SOUTH LIVERPOOL ON A FREE.

June 24, 1936. The Liverpool Daily Post

The Everton club have given Ben Williams, their Welsh international full back and Alan Hughes, the right winger a free transfer. South Liverpool F.C. yesterday signed on Hughes, who was secured by Everton from Derby County, after playing a great game against the Goodison Park side. He is 23 years of age, stands 5ft 9ins and weights 11st 5lbs.

 

EVERTON F.C. BOARD.

June 24, 1936. The Liverpool Echo

Mr. Thomas Percy Of Roby Co-opted

Mr. Thomas Percy, of White Lodge, Roby has been co-opted to the Everton F.C, board of directors in place of the late Mr. Wade. Five names were considered by the directors. Mr. Percy is an estate agent and building surveyor to the Coventry Building Society. He was born near the Everton ground at Goodison Park forty-three years ago, and becomes the youngest Everton director. He played football for the Walton Parish Church in the South Lancashire League, and was an 1-Zingari referee. He has played occasionally for the Casuals. At lawn tennis he reached the semi-final of the Isle of Man tournament last year, being beaten by the Rev, James Jackson, the former Liverpool F.C. full back. Mr. Percy played Cricket for Walton, in Walton's heyday, under “Pa” Barnett. The Everton chairmanship is again in Mr. W.C. Cuff's capable keeping, this for the fifteenth year in succession, a remark which applies also to the vice-chairman Mr. Ernest Green.

 

EVERTON JOIN NORTHERN LEAGUE

JUNE 29, 1930. The Liverpool Daily Post

Everton have joined the Northern Mid-week football League. At their annual meeting last week the League found itself in something of a difficulty because Blackburn Rovers had resigned, leaving five clubs and the regulation stipulates that the League consist of six clubs, now that Everton have joined the League will be able to carry on.

 

BEN WILLIAMS SIGNED FOR NEWPORT COUNTY

June 30, 1936. The Liverpool Daily Post

Ben Williams, the Everton full back has signed on for Newport County. Williams has played eleven times for Wales and captained the Welsh team, who won the Championship 1934.

 

EVERTON FOOTBALLER'S LAW DEGREE

June 30, 1935. The Liverpool Echo.

Cyril Webster, nowadays almost in the veteran stage of the football game, has been on Everton's F.C's books for a long spell. He is an adept inside forward, willing young man, with much promise, but with a keen eye upon his business. He studies have now carried him a vital examination. He has passed his L.L.B. which makes him Bachelor of Law. I congratulate him upon his success, and know it will make up difference to his outlook on sport or life –he has always been one of the most likeable of many likeable professional footballers. Some imagine they are competent to walk the waters; others have a nice thought for the future and a sense of proportion and respect for their elders.