Everton Independent Research Data

 

EVERTON 9 SOUTHPORT 1 (FA Cup Game 130)
March 2 nd 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury.
Everton Rush to Victory
Southport Defence Riddled.
Third Division side's Brave Efforts
Seven goals scored in first half for Everton
By "Bee."
Southport bade a very bad afternoon to the English Cup when they let Goodison Park's snowflakes on Saturday, after having engaged in a very captivating game, and paid their respects to the team that beat them handsomely and without venom. They scored 9 to 1. I do not think Everton would have scored so many, but Southport got a move on after the interval, took a goal by their regular member in the score sheet –Waterston –and Everton thought they had better take no chances with a team that had been named as a shock side competent to upset the best of opposition. Everton have never gloated over their victories or their margins; they take enough to ensure safety and then "play." They intended to do this after they had made a lead of seven before half-time, but Southport never ceased their effort, and at times they looked like a very sharp side; a good side; a side with much speed and more pluck and daring. But they played the right sort of football, never condescending to touch the Third Division style as many know it, so that they were to be congratulated upon their methods and upon their keenness.
Southport Start Well.
Never were there signs of their weakness; they played on as valiantly when a margin of eight divided them with the coming First Division team as when the game started. And be it known, Southport started in a way that was ominous. They shot well; they skirted the touchline; they thought nought of the snow that lay around the corners of the field and made the ball a veritable snowball. They shot so well that nothing but the sound keeping of Coggins prevented them taking the lead. After that the Everton forwards started to work and the meant goals were coming. They appeared to be able to score at will, but the root feature of this big goal crop was the fact that each forward lived for his fellow forwards. The utter unselfishness that has stamped Dean;s game all his life, has led to the other forwards realizing the wisdom of pairing off for goals rather than making single handed efforts. When Dean broke 60 goals in a record making season he made many of the goals –yes most of them –by his own unaided effort. Today he has fine lieutenants beside him. Each goal was more or less the result of an offering of the thankfulness of the part of a fellow forward. Every goal created a shake of the hand from the man who had placed the goal at the scorer's mercy. And to that fine spirit the slashing shooting that went on against Baker and his over run backs, and remember that Dunn and Johnson were always schemers, whose work had to be looked into hard to find the true value of it, and you will sense how this forward line would on this showing, have beaten almost any side.
Four for Dean.
Dean got four goals, Dunn two, Critchley two, and Johnson got the other apart from Waterston's consolation stroke. And the best was probably Dean's master header to make the eight goal of the day. I don't remember a senior match were seven goals lead has been taken in the first half, unless we go back to the days of the 26-0 score put up by Preston North End against Hyde. Certainly Everton are collecting goals with a rare freedom, and this year to date they have scored 53 goals in cup and League. They make the game look frightfully simple and simply effective by means of the positional play of the line, each of whom has a fine understanding with the rest of the side, what time the half-backs join in with their fine passes along the ground. McClure was hard, Gee was a dribbler, forrager, and joyful playmate of the man in front of him; he gave him a squeezed in pass to make one of Dean's foursome goals, and Stein kept his best for the later stages, when his centring was full of judgement.
Southport's Efforts.
What of Southport then? Still can I say that Southport did uncommonly well under the circumstances. There was not sure in front of goal; they imagined they had time to spare when they got their golden chances, and therein lay the secret of their being smothered or covered by Williams and Cresswell. I though Vincent played a great game till he tired yet Seagraves was the most consistent of their side. With Holmes not quite so powerful as I have seen him in previous games. Southport were valiant hearts, they had frittering, fitting forwards, with the extreme wings always the most dangerous of the line. Hill giving a uniformly good show throughout the awkward day. At midday the snowstorm threatened to put an end to thoughts of cup-tie strife, but the ground actually played a shade better than usual through the snow failing on the heaps of mud and making it a trifle stickier than usual-hence the ball travelled almost normally. Everton made it do a lot or work, and well as the backs defended in a difficult task, the gaolkeeping of Baker was unsettled until half time and then it bore a bright mark. Teams; - Everton; - Coggins, goal; Williams (captain) and Cresswell, backs; McClure, Gee, and Thomson, half-backs; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson and Stein forwards. Southport; - Baker, goal; Little and Robinson, backs; Seagrave, Vincent, and Holmes, half-backs; Hill, McConnell (captain), Waterston, Cowan, and Roberts, for wards. Attendance was 45, 647 and receipts of £3, 971.

SPORTS-PIE
March 2 nd 1931. Evening Express.
•  Aston Villa passed Everton in the Football league goal race. They have scored 102 goals or one more than Everton and the Arsenal.
•  Harold Houghton and Arthur Davies are Merseyside natives and former Everton players who are helping Exeter City to make cup history. Houghton got the equalising goal against Sunderland on Saturday. Exeter paid £300 to Everton for Houghton, and they have already turned down an offer of £3,000 for him.

EVERTON STAND ALONE IN THEIR CUP GLORY
Liverpool Echo –Monday March 2, 1931
THROUGH AND WAITING NEXT EVENT
THE SEMI-FINALS STAGE
ACAPTIVATING GAME AT GOODISON PARK
Bee’s Notes
Put it in your note-book.   Everton F.C. semi-finalists, 1930-31.  The Second Division tilde continues to climb to the giddy heights. The semi-final was reached against a side that had become famous for its shock tactics. They had played a different  kind of game to the average Third  Division side: they had knocked out all  sorts—one away win; a win against a  First Division side, a Second Division side that had slaughtered Everton at  Bradford, and now they came to the  place they most desired to visit. They knew they would be allowed to win if good enough. The match had made Southport appear large in the maps of football England. And they fell heavily, but without disgrace to a side that has caught the goal-fever and is sleeping with it night by night. Not a game has been lost this year; 53 goals have been collected in that time. Who shall stay their progress? Nothing succeeds like success, they say; I would rather say that nothing succeeds like attack.  Everton's attack is sufficient to allow any defenders behind them to have a looking-on view. I- have not seen a five-forward company with such ease, charm and confidence combined with such extraordinary hitting power. A year ago they seemed afraid to chance a blow. To-day they all love a hit or a miss: and more than all is the utter unselfishness of the attacking line made good. The scoring of the goal means that the scorer has to go to a comrade to say "thank you" for putting me wise to the chance. They make goals each other. 
PRAISE FOR SOUTHPORT 
Anyone not present at this game cannot hope to imagine how well Southport played under almost heartbreaking circumstances. They started so well, and fought out to the bitter end this vital game of theirs that they merited the goal they got. I think they would not have been put down as a number nine, like Plymouth. If Everton had not sensed that buoyant feeling coming, over the Southport players when Waterston got his consolation goal.  The work of Seagrave was always good: Vincent tired after a fine struggle and some offerings of bonny pastes. The game did not go so well with Holmes as is usually the case when I see him, and behind that there were two hard trying backs, who were overwhelmed with work, but never stooped to low ideas: and if they worked the offside trap, well, that was their funeral.  I don't think it does any club any good.  It courts a chancey-referee's view of a doubtful position, and a goal arises. 
BRINGING IN LIFE 
Everton are finding time to bring in some of the joyful touches of football to brighten up these wintry days. The back-heel lies come into it’s own-always a good move it not overdone; always a good move as Buchan showed its so many times. Yet it had gone into the lumber-room as if never to be dusted for special occasions. Now we find it resurrected. Dunn treads over the ball, lets it go through his legs, does little antics that make us smile and don't harm the opposition in a vexatious spirit; Dean used the back-heel, and generally speaking, he did everything a class centre-forward should do and can do. His header was surely the most marvelous of all the goals, and that he got four only half tells the spirit of his play; the command of his foot and head and the way he gets his body in front of a defender and blot him out—either in view or touch of the ball. It is all highly interesting and yet you cannot separate the whole team.  Coggins was doing his big stuff in the first three minutes—three saves that stemmed the port of Southport. So Everton sailed into the semi-final port, and mayhap they will get their wish to  play Chelsea, and thus be able to work  off another revenge act—the season has  been full of them, most of them in the last half of the season.  Considering the state of the weather and the, ground, and the fact that rumour went round the city that there would be no play—this was officially denied, in the " Echo" bulletins hour by hour before the game—the attendance was really wonderful—Southport shared a gate of £4,000, and prior to this round their gross takings at cup-ties had been less than £4,000. Good fortune goes with a sporting and able little side, they need shed no tears over this defeat; everyone admired the way they plugged on to the finish of the day's grueling task.  Would any First Division side have stood up to the tank any better? I doubt it,
In a bundle of congratulations to the Everton F.C., there is a wire from the Dundee Club, where Troup and Ritchie are following the course of their former friends and employers with much interest.  Many telegrams have been sent to Exeter, and particularly to Houghton and Davies, upon the continued success of the Exeter Club. The Exeter players have expressed one desire; they say: "Let us get at Everton," but first they have to conquer Sunderland.  Houghton's goal on Saturday can be weighed in the golden scales as worth thousands of pounds, and if Exeter win the replay it will be a goal studded with diamonds. 

EVERTON'S CUP OPPONENTS
Liverpool Echo - Monday 02 March 1931
West Bromwich or Wolves 
SEMI-FINAL DRAW 
Game To Be Played At Old Trafford 
Everton are to figure in a Second Division Cup semi-final.  The draw made this afternoon, resulted as follows:  West Brom or Wolves v. Everton.   At Manchester United's ground; if draw, at Sheffield Wednesday.  Referee, E. Wood (Sheffield); linesmen, F. Thompson (Northumberland) and A. H. A. Adams (Notts). 
Birmingham or Chelsea v. Sunderland or Exeter. 
CUP COMMENTS BY "BEE" 
West Brom or Wolves-that is the draw Everton must face.  We do not forget that when the day seemed bright for Everton, and Wolves were mere nonentities, Everton at their own ground lost by a goal to nought-one of the greatest shocks an Everton crowd has ever suffered. This was in the fourth round of the competition; year 1921—and Everton supporters felt that that year was to be their final tie year.  Yet oddly enough Mr. Secretary  McIntosh, this morning predicated that  the draw would bring West Bromwich  or Wolves into opposition with the  Everton camp; and he went further—he  Everton camp.  Are you content with the draw, I asked Mr. McIntosh.  Perfectly. We have little choice at this stage of the Cup proceedings and are content to take whatever fate may offer us. We shall be quite content whether it be West Brom or Wolves.  By a freak of the fixture list Everton should have been at Wolverhampton’s ground in a League match on Cup semi-final day. 
CHOICE OF OLD TRAFFORD 
The choice of Old Trafford is a fairly common one. The ground has suited many semi-final ties, and not long ago it housed the meeting of Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday when Wednesday were trying to make a double event.  Last season the teams met at Old Trafford, and the crowd broke in.  The Press also bad strong complaints against the way the crowd in the paddock blocked their view of the main incidents—the greatest incident was the handling case which led the Huddersfield Town team to escape a free kick and gain a goal which carried them to Wembley, so that Old Trafford has been historic and not altogether happy. 
VIEWS OF THE OPPOSITION 
The Everton players have never minimized the difficulty of overcoming either Wolves or West Brom. Everton have already beaten West Brom, twists this season in League warfare, but at the West Brom, ground the game took a turn late on that many spectators believed was not fair to West Brom. At any rate, it left Everton with a 2-1 victory, where many thought a 2-2 verdict should have been registered.  Then they met at Goodison Park, and the standard of play of the West Brom, club was splendid; they fought tremendously hard, and throughout the game they gave a stout exhibition. They were beaten, but Everton players after the game said: "These were tough nut to break” West Bromwich has met Everton twice in the Cup, in 1906 and the following year. Everton won the first game 3-1, and in the next season won 2-1 at Bolton’s ground. 
INSIDE FORWARDS CLEVER 
The Wolves game, or form, has so far been centred in one meeting only, but that meeting had its effect upon the Everton team. They came from their victory over the Wolves saying. “That’s the best side we've met. The inside forwards," added Dean (for instance), “are three of the best we have ever met.  They are extremely clever."  West Bromwich are managed by Mr. Fred Everiss, and their chairman is Mr.  W. L Bassett, the former English international winger. West Bromwich have no Scots on their books—they are all English save Carter and Magee, the, international pair, quite young men.  The average of the Albion side is under twenty-one, in spite of the two men named.  Wolves (managed by Major Frank Buckle, himself an old player, and brother of the Villa pivot) have no Scots in their ranks.  Wolves, like Everton, have a victory to their credit this season, was obtained against Wrexham.
"ECHO" FIRST 
Mr. Crickmere, secretary of the Manchester United F.C., congratulated me on being first in the country to put in an application for a ticket for the semifinal.  Mr. Crickmere told me that Old Trafford holds 73,000. At Old Trafford some years ago Everton lost their semifinal way in a match with Barnsley.  Everton finished with nine men, and Taylor, their captain, practically finished with the game as a result of injury that day.  Manchester United ask us to advise the public that it is useless sending money to the ground for tickets. The position is this: The F.A. have to settle the price of the tickets, and nothing can be done until they have given their verdict. At the last semi-final tie at Old Trafford the prices were 15s, 8s 6d, and 6s 6d, plus the minor fees. 

WOLVES, WEST BROM-OR WHAT YOU WILL; EVERTON'S VIEW OF THE REMAINING CUP  PHASES
Liverpool Echo-Tuesday, March 3, 1931
TAKE THINGS AS THEY COME
INTERESTING LETTERS
Bee’s Notes
Without being cocksure or conceited.  Everton are taking clubs on the principle of the queue: they take them as they come. Up one, down another: The run of success has certainly been stupendous, and it might lead many a player to imagine the Cup could be swept from the board. But history has always told Everton to mind its P's and Cups. Time was when they looked upon the final tie at Fallowfield against Wolves as a walk-over. They had battered the Wolves with-their reserve men the week before. And the final tie band was arranged and engaged. They were to play “See the Conquering Hero Comes" But Wolves won, and the band played a lament.  After that Everton made it a practice never to engage a hand. When they won the Cup in 1906 no band was engaged, and I imagine they are the only Cup final victors who came back to their town or city without musical honours. You can imagine the drab state of the reception—a roaring Mafeking mob the like of which I have never seen since. The crowds had nought to look upon except the players—no, I forgot; there was some colour lent to the proceedings by the posh attire I was wearing, and by the torches lighted at Goodison Park amid a welter of speeches that could not be heard, that being an age before loud speakers had reached their fine usefulness.  Talking of broadsiding and broadcasting, may I here thank all who have sent me letters about Saturday’s commentary? I cannot hope to reply to them all, but that does not affect my genuine interest in them and my thanks for the praise that is not mere talk lath’ home, but is put down on paper, and therefore means it has become a work.  People are shy of praise when  it entails work, don't you agree?  Everton were not very concerned whether it was Wolves, West Brom, or What-Not. They have always had a sneaking regard for a test with Chelsea, because it was Chelsea that laid them to rest a few years ago, and Sam Chedgzoy, arriving at Lime-street, said: “Do you know, I cannot believe we have lost that Cup-tie. It all seems so absurd." So  the revenge act is conjured up, always  providing Old Trafford gives Everton  their special pleasure-it  once had blows and stick, us—and a lost  purse for a member of the Hive who  journeyed to Manchester and watched  this doleful game!  If we are to go out to West Brom or Wolves, then let it be done with good grace, remembering how many we have put to defeat in recent weeks. I think however, the victory-chart will find another Everton notch.
QUERYOSITIES 
" Litherlind " writes: " With reference to the very fine photograph  in "Saturdays Echo" showing  Ben Williams (captain), leading his  team on to the field, much amusement  has been caused amongst my own large  family and friends over what would  appear to be a trick of the camera, and  which possibly may have been brought  to your notice by others, and that is,  "Whose is the leg dressed with the  usual football sock and foot covered  with the usual footballer's boot,  that appears just behind the police  'inspector, right leg and on the left of  the Everton captain At first glance one gains the impression that one of the  inspector's legs is dressed according to  his official capacity, and the other as  a footballer, or that it might be that of  one of the directors or other such official  who is speaking to the inspector. If you think it worthwhile, and if it will not cause you any inconvenience, perhaps you will be kind enough to satisfy my curiosity." 
Certainly, sir. You are not alone in talking or writing of this picture freak.  Actually what happened was this: The inspector of police is bending forward with the figure of Mr. McIntosh, the secretary, just at his side. Behind is a player (Cresswell, I believe it was) coming up the steps. You see his step and that is all the film permits of the view of Creasy. But the inspector bending forward allows the view of a leg, and thus you get the "Lloyd Hamilton" look of the legs of man!  It is odd, but not so odd when you remember that the players are coming up the steps and that the second player is apparently going round the back of the inspector and Mr. McIntosh. 
NEXT DOOR TO A CERT. 
Walton's " Hawkeye” writes: — Reading your notes. I was greatly interested in your statements re the outside right position of old times and now. Two friends and self are long supporters of the Blues, both home and away. Yes, when I come to think, it is now over thirty years. One might say we are shareholders, but the only benefit we get is witnessing the matches, and we are satisfied when we see the boys win, and at what we have had of late, no supporter can grumble or, as you state, barrack a man, especially the one you name. Every day at lunch time we three meet at a local hostelry, and on a Monday the football topic crops up; in fact, it is every day. One time last year, when the club was in low water, we were discussing the dropping of Critchley to make place for Ritchie, and that a grave mistake had been made, as later on proved correct. I don't profess to be a  good judge of human nature, but I know  a good footballer and the making of one,  and I will go so far as to say the old  club now holds the best outside right in  the country, bar none, and I think the  directors can see it now. We three for the past thirty years have very seldom missed a match, and when this player has turned out we have watched his play closely; of course. A man is not always in tip-top form, but, when he is, my mind goes back and recalls the days of the once great Arrow smith of the Villa, and the well-known Jack Sharp, his play being something similar to these. If the boys can retain this form, no team in Great Britain can beat them. There are two matches to play yet, and funny things happen in football, I know, but it is next door to a cert. 

EVERTON WILL TRAIN AT HOME
March 4 th 1931. Evening Express.
No special course for Cup Semi-Final
Policy That has been justified.
By the Pilot.
Everton will train at home for the FA. Cup semi-final match at Old Trafford on March 14. Until this season it was custom of the club to send players to health resorts to prepare them for special games, but this season the scheme was revised, and ordinary League training, with one or two additions, at home substituted. The players are fielding their full cup side against Reading at Goodison Park on Saturday. This will be the Blues fifth successive home match. They have a splendid opportunity of pulling off an other double, having beaten Reading at Elm Park by 2-0. Team; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein.

EVERTON UNCHANGED
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 04 March 1931
ELLIOTT'S  BIRTHDAY
Bee’s Notes
Dean's 200th League goal for Everton looms closer in the announcement of the team to play in the return with Reading. No change is represented in the layout: Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee, Thompson; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnston, and Stein.  The fortunes of Dean, Hodgson, and Johnson in to-day's international trial will have been noted; and, for variety’s sake, the work of Griffiths, Everton’s Welsh international half back, at full  back in a Central League against Bolton  Wanderers.  By trying Griffiths as a full-back in the Reserve side at Bolton Everton may have hit upon a means of strengthening their defence. Griffiths was always a stopper, and in a rear position his lack of constructive play will not affect his game so much.  Momentous mid-week work, this.
The prices fixed for the Everton  semi-final at Old Trafford are:—  " C " stand centre chairs, 15s; " B "  and " D " stands, each side of the  chairs, 1s 6d; and " E" stands, end  of the grandstand, 7s 6d;  unreserved seats at the back of the  stand, 5s 9d; terrace, including  admission, 3s; admission to  ground, Is.  The directors of Everton F.C, have decided that owing to the small number of tickets allotted to them, there will be a limit of two tickets to each applicant. These cannot be obtained at Sharp's, but only at  Goodison Park.  Applicants should remit with stamped envelope. Shareholders and members would facilitate allotments by making application before Friday, and endorsing envelopes, “Shareholder" or "Member."  Everton's allotment is only 25 per cent of the seating accommodation, which is not extensive at Old Trafford.   
JACK ELLIOTT'S SERVICE 
Forty-two years' service with a football club. This is the record of Jack Elliott, who will complete forty-two years with Everton next October, and is confident the Goodison club will celebrate it by winning the Football Association Cup. Player, trainer, and now on the ground staff. Elliott is sixty-seven to-days, and when I ran across him yesterday he seemed the fittest man for bill years I have ever known. I was always under the impression that he was a Scotsman, but it seems he was born on a farm in the North of Ireland and was taken to Scotland when only four years old. He made a name for himself as a forward when with the Uddingston club, and he was a miner at Blantyre when he went to Everton. He was brought out of the mine for an interview with Mr. " Dick " Molineux, the then Everton secretary, which resulted in his becoming a professional.  That was in 1889.  An outside left of skill and dash.  Elliott and McMillan formed a notable Everton left wing that gained considerable fame, though the pair for the most part was reserves to Millward and Chadwick. But I saw them play quite a number of times in League games and recall notable victories over Aston Villa and Sunderland in which Elliott played a leading part. After his playing days were over, Elliott for a long spell acted as trainer, and he is still engaged on the ground staff. 

BOLTON RES. V. EVERTON RES. 
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 04 March 1931
Everton opened in clever style, and scored through Martin after four minutes from a penalty kick awarded against Wilson for handling a centre from Wilkinson.  The Blues continued to be the better team until the last twenty minutes of the half, when the Wanderers' dash repeatedly got their defence in difficulties.  Sagar twice dashed out to save in sensational fashion from Rimmer and Stoker, and he cleared grand shots from Milton. Westwood. And Rimmer in succession.  Martin, Britton, and White were outstanding players for the visitors, who were rather lucky to be leading at halftime.  Half-time —Everton Reserve 1, Bolton Wanderers 0.
DEAN TO GO ON A CANADIAN TOUR?
The trial match at Highbury was spoiled by the clash in the Cup at Chelsea.  The main point of inside information is that while Liverpool has no one put up for the Association tour of Canada, the F.A has before them the name of “Dixie” Dean.  Tom Johnson has aspirations the same way, and the authorities have a desire to take him, but at the moment the clubs have not given their consent. 

DEAN'S HAT-TRICK FOR ENGLAND.
March 5 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
England beat beat the Rest 3-2 at Highbury yesterday, in front of 17,000 spectators. The Rest were winning by 2-0, when Dean scored all three goals before the interval. Hodgson collision with Tommy Johnson, that cracked the back of his head, and Johnson limped his way through the second half with a groin injury that may keep him out of the side against reading on Saturday. Dean gave many beautiful passes chiefly with the foot whereas he generally sends the ball along by his head. He got three goals and missed three unaccountably. Dean first hit the bar with a header, from a few yards, drove wide a bad miss. Dean however scored after 16 minutes, from a mistake by a back following a corner. Dean scored again from a scramble in the goalmouth, Talbot hooked the ball into the goalmouth, and Dean with great coolness, lobbed it over Spiers the goalkeeper into the net. Dean after fine work by Hodgson played Dean in front of goal alone with Spiers, but the general surprise Dean hesitated, long enough to miss his change.

BOLTON WANDERERS RESERVES 2 EVERTON RESERVES 2
March 5 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Central league (Game 30)
Everton; - Sagar goal; Griffiths and Lowe, backs; Britton, White, and McPherson, half-backs; Wilkinson, Martin, Hodgson, Webster, and Leyfield, forwards.

EVERTON BASEBALL CLUB
Liverpool Echo-Thursday, March 5, 1931
Bee’s Notes
Supporters and players, old and new, interested in the re-formation of Everton Baseball Club are asked to meet at the Sandon Hotel, Oakfield Road tonight at 8. 

JOHNSON WILL PLAY TOMORROW
March 6 th 1931. Evening Express
Injured Everton forward passes test.
Will Dean get his 200 th goal?
By the Pilot
Tommy Johnson, Everton's international inside left, who strained his groin in the international trial match at Highbury, was given a test today, and was found to be sufficiently fit to make his place in the team to oppose Reading at Goodison Park tomorrow. Chief interest in the match centred on Dixie Dean, who requires one goal to complete his second century of football league goals, with Everton Football Club. He has obtained his 199 goals in 194 matches. The ground is in better condition than it has been for some weeks, owing to the dry weather experienced during the past few days. If Everton beat Reading –and they should easily –this will be their sixth double of the season. Reading are certain to make superhuman efforts because they are fighting to escape relegation. Gilhespy, the former Liverpool winger, is suffering from tonsillitis, and his place at outside right in the Reading team will be taken by Davies. Barley deputizes for the injured Featherby. Teams; - Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein. Reading; Richardson (l); Hodhgkiss, J Richardson; Allan, McNell, Darrnell; Davies, Eaton, Bacon, Barley, McPherson.
Sports pie
•  Everton, it is believed have developed an interest in Andrew McCall, an Ayr United half-back

LOOKING FOR THE EPOCH-MAKING 200TH GOAL
Liverpool Echo - Friday 06 March 1931
NO CAUSE FOR JEALOUSY
DEAN’S GALA DAY TOMORROW?
Bee’s Notes
What was expected a fortnight ego is due to arrive to-morrow, and no one will care a fig for jealousies about the goal we are hoping and believing will come to the Goodison Park centre forward, Dean. There have been many quaint arguments about this matter not the least funny being the disgruntled stories of those who had got the figure wrong and if Dean had headed in and scored instead of hitting the upright would have been left without the splendid news. Mike no mistake about it—Dean knows in  nought of his figures end probably cares as little—he has scored 199 League goals in five and a half seasons of football, and that is a performance no one has touched it the History  of football.  It is a feat of amazing length and strength in the shortest possible time.  Hence the desire to see this goal is almost as great as the desire to see him get the finality three in his tot of 60 in the championship year.  As a drawing power and a magnet Dean is unequally, even if one doesn’t desire to make fish of one player and small fry of the other ten.  There is no spirit of jealously in the Goodison Park camp; they all know the value of the man and his game, and this will not deny us paying tribute to the eleven in all the successes they are obtaining this year. 
READING BETWEEN THE LINES 
The Cup draw and the success of the  club has created a new atmosphere in  and towards Everton, and I expect  another huge assembly to-morrow to  welcome the semi- final side and the  great goal-getting forward line, plus the  sight of the famous 200-up goal. But let us not count chickens before they are hatched out. Remember Reading at their lowliest gave Everton pause at the Reading ground. That was one of our lucky spots—we played ten men for some time through McPherson's injury, and Reading were a better set than the bottom rung suggested. Nowadays they are soaring up the chart and have improved out of recognition.  So Everton have not merely to walk on to the saddened turf to take a victory—they must wake and work for it. Reading  have some delightful forwards, and on  the left wing a flier, who pranced  through our ranks with a degree of  success that made the scouts take  special notice of the name. 
THE CHANGELESS ELEVEN 
Undoubtedly much of the success of the Everton club has their due to their immunity from injury.  With the exception of Griffiths' bad knock and two absentee calls from Dean, plus one from Rigby, the side has in a measure picked itself from the earliest moment, and the changelessness of it has only been equaled by the extraordinarily clever way the whole team has of picking up its feet and keeping out of the way of mischief and injury. Yet I would say  this—Second Division sides with but one exception (in Yorkshire) have been  exceedingly fair, and it is good to  chronicle that a division supposed to be very tousy and unfair at times has  shown  Everton that it can, and will,  play nothing but the game. Football is indeed clearer today than ever before in the history of the game.  Everton can speak with authority, because it is generally the top teams that get the out-stretched leg, the sliding tackles, the venomous bump in the back.  Everton have no regrets about this second division standing—they have explored a new avenue and have had some happy times as a consequence.  In the Cup they have tackled every phase from Third South and Third North to First and Second Division sides- a full and complete variety almost Heints fashion in its number of varieties.  Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein. 
GOODISON PARK MUSIC
Aigburth Silver Prize band (conductor, Mr. Harry Wearing) will give the following programme, tomorrow, at Goodison Park. March, “viva Pettee.” (Rimmer); overtune, Light Cavalry” (Suppe); froxtrot, “Stein, Stein” (Lawrence Wright); selection, “Gems of England” (Rimmer); trombone solo, “Mosquito” (Moss) (soloist. H. Critchley); foxtrot, “Little White Lies” (Lawrence Wright); March, “Washington City’ (German). 

EVERTON AT HOME AGAIN
March 7 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Reading's First Visit
By John Peel
The Cup and League successes, achieved by Everton have aroused tremendous enthusiasm among their followers and there is likely to be another great crowd at Goodison Park today to welcome the Cup semi-finalists; when they step on the field to face Reading in the return League match. The first match ended in a win for Everton by 2 goals to none, and I fully expect the Goodison Park team to record their thirteen victory this year, though they must play up to form to achieve their object for Reading, whose first visit to Goodison Park it is, are in desperate mood, occupying as they do the second position from the foot of the ladder. Dean is expected to complete his 200 goals in League football. The teams line up at 3-15 as follows; Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein. Reading; L Richardson; Hoggkiss, Richardson (j); Allan McNell, Damell; Davies, Eaton, Bacon, Barley, McPherson.

EVERTON WITHOUT A GOAL
Liverpool Echo-Saturday, March 7, 1931
READING GIVE BRIGHT SHOW ON FIRST APPEARANCE HERE
FROST BOUND GROUND
Bee Bees
Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein.  Reading; Richardson (L); Hodgkiss, Richardson (J); Allan, McNeil, Darnell, Davies, Eaton, Bacon, Barley, McPherson.  Referee; Mr. A.J. Caseley, Wolverhampton.
It must be something of a record for Everton F.C. to appear at home five matches in succession. They had two  Cup-ties and three league games in succession, and to-day they were welcomed  by a large crowd at Goodison  Park for the meeting with Reading,  this being the last game before the  important semi-final.  It was a pity the wind howled and the air was only suitable to an Eskimo.  It was merciful that there was a little sunshine, but the day was so bad that it was really hard work for the players.  Reading had never appeared at Goodison before to-day, and when they made their bow they realized that Everton were keen on another record, namely, the highest number of goals Everton has ever scored, and Dean’s 200th goal.  Reading won the toss, and by that means had the wind to help them.  A little diversion was offered to the waiting crowd when a bandsman chased after his sheets of music. "Three sheets in the wind" were carried into the Everton’s goal.  It was found within a minute that the ground was treacherous and even dangerous.  Critchley slid on an icy pitch, Johnson followed him, and once Coggins was tested by McPherson. The ball bumped so awkwardly that Reading began to imagine a goal was coming. Then McNeil made a long pass up the middle, and the bounce of the ball was altogether abnormal. Davies started as well as he had done at Reading, and McPherson crossed the ball nicely, but suffered an offside decision against Bacon.  Although the ground was really so difficult Reading, by their enthusiasm and ability, made strong play and kept a watchful eye on Dean, but Reading were not wise when they conceded two free kicks. McNeil was at fault with one and a forward with the other.  McClure was never concerned about going up amongst his own forward line on a wing where there was far too much throw-in duty.  Everton were naturally disinclined to take a risk of injury in view of the semifinal, whereas Reading were sharp and enterprising. 
AN OUTBURST 
Snow began to fall within ten minutes after Dunn had been funny, tricky, and eventually well-covered through sitting on the ball.  There was it mild outburst when Referee Caseley, on appeal, gave a corner against Ben Williams, but it was Williams who cleared the corner kick, so that justice had been done.  The kicking of Hodgkin at right-back was extremely good, and the best portions of early play were those provided by Johnson and Dean. It was Dunn who edged the ball towards the centre, so that Dean could have his first real effort at goal, but Richardson in the Reading goal scampered across his lines, feeling that the ball must pass out.  Johnson followed with a ball that was turned for a corner, and after Williams had been extremely sound Reading came through strong, nappy, and making it snappy. Granted the wind was on their side, but they were nevertheless putting up a very useful game, and all the players seemed to be yearning for work so that they could warm themselves up.  So far there was little for the spectators in this direction, yet it would be unfair to be critical to-day, because the conditions were just as bad as the Villa ground when Arsenal beat Aston Villa.  Of course the conditions were foreign to anything Everton have seen for many months, and perhaps this was as well, if only on the score of experience. In place of the mud swamp, the Everton players now had a bone-dry ground.  Whatever happened, no one wanted to see anyone injured, so that it was a blow when Jock Thomson hurt his thigh.  It was a temporary failing, and incidentally served to show that the home captain, William, prefers a dry ground to the heavy going.  Reading had their chances to score.  Bacon, for instance, went from centre forward to near inside right and screwed the ball outside.  Davies did something similar, and McPherson did the wise thing when he made a shot at a venture, and although the fact that the ball went outside was of no interest, it was just the sort of shot that would take a goal on this pitch, which one might describe as a sliding scale, and Reading had at least been quick to shoot, whereas Everton had no effort really of the name near goal.  I liked the full-back work of J. Richardson, especially when he brought in a Williams' trick of back-heeling, but even the Reading backs could not save their goalkeeper when Everton made an attack at this point. Goalkeeper Richardson was surrounded by the three home inside forwards, and he sort of supper-cut his save. 
McNEIL THE SHOOTER 
The referee erred when he gave a goalkick through an occurrence when McClure turned the ball at a tangent behind his own line, and immediately following this came the best shot thus far. McNeil was the shooter, but the ball, a perfect length drive, was slightly off the mark though travelling at an excellent pace.  Stein replied, and had to make his effort quickly and in an angled manner.  It was no surprise, therefore, that the ball went high over the bar. Reading's Davies was always a source of trouble, and he pulled a centre with rare judgment.  Reading's centre-forward raced Cresswell, and might have crossed the ball towards McPherson, but it is easy to say what should have been done when a man is sliding towards his shooting point. Hodgkins, having seen this, should have known better than to risk anything with a dribble against Johnson.  Williams was practical in the hearty way he crossed Bacon, and also Cresswell’s wing when Cresswell had been beaten in a severe tackle.  Coggins had to make a one-handed punch when Davies centred, the little right-winger having taken his time to ensure accuracy, and Reading followed with a further on-rush when Gee made his first error, if it could he called so in the Arctic circumstances. 
TRUSTWORTHY FORWARDS 
Critchley centred a little too strong for Stein to make a certainty of a lead,  and he Reading forwards struck one as  much more trustworthy, if not so clever.  Again McNeil, the tough, stoutish pivot of the Reading line, bethought himself to try to become a goal-getter, this time oo high, not just outside. 
A TWO-FOLD PLAN 
Tom Johnson seemed to size the ice better than anyone else, and Gee was having another of his good days.  Near half-time Cresswell got in the way of a certain goal and the Southern centre-forward showed a fine idea of practical sharp-shooting, his plan of  campaign being apparently two-fold—he  seemed to live and side with Davies. 
DARNELL DAMAGED 
William was charged overboard by the go-ahead centre, and then Thomson accidentally kicked Darnell on the face, and the Reading man had to leave the field.  After Coggins had made a one-handed  punch away, Barley fell at in the goalmouth,  but fortunately he recovered,  and thus Reading went on to the  interval with plucky goalless portion, and Dean was still yearning for a goal to celebrate his 200th mark in league  football for Everton.  Half-time; Everton nil, Reading nil. 
READING PLAYER’S NOSE BROKEN
EVERTON’S RECORD CROP OF GOALS
THEIR BEST AGGREGATE
CRITCHLEY CARRIED OFF THE FIELD
By Bee
There was an ice-plane at Goodison Park to-day. The ground was like a skating rink when Dunn scored the second goal of the day, and Everton broke the record, their previous highest total of goals being 102 in a championship year.  Reading lost their inside right, and Everton their outside-left through injury.  The Reading man was taken to hospital with a compound fracture of the nose.  The frozen crowd was keenly anxious to see Dean's 200th League goal for Everton. Dean, as a fortnight ago, struck a goal post, so that the crowd was still unable to cheer his 200th League goal.  Millwall, at Everton, is the next League fixture, so that Goodison Park may yet have the pleasure of signaling the important goal.
Reading regretted that Eaton, their inside-right, who had been injured in the face in the first half, was not ready for service when the game resumed.  A doctor had been sent for, and the report was that the injury was not serious, but it was nasty.  Everton now the sunshine to face, but the wind was in their favour.  Considering the conditions, play had been unusually good, and the players had taken risks one would not expect them to do remembering the day and the date. The game had never suggested transgressions of the rules, but we now saw the home captain level his solid weight on to the Reading centre forward, and the referee, like everyone else, saw the offence.  Everton combined well when Dean started his head-back process, Johnson shooting slightly outside, but there was something more important to follow.  Gee starting a very strong run-up, middle-passing to Dunn, and the ball went almost as a natural course to Dean, who steadied himself in what was now the inside-left position, and making a strong shot. Richardson pushed the ball up and over the bar—a first-class save.
JOINSON AND DUNN 
Reading's goal fell, however, in fifty-three minutes through a corner taken by Stein. Dean was quite near convening the goal, but having missed it, the ball went over to Johnson, whose header was turned neatly into the goal.  Reading strongly contested that it was an offside point, but the referee would not budge, and Everton went on  to make it two goals when Stein centred, and Dunn, just as Johnson had done, headed a goal, and thus brought out at  least one record for the Everton club.  Dunn's goal recorded the 103rd League goal of the Everton session.  When they won the championship four years ago and Dean scored sixty, the total was 202 the side has already exceeded anything in the history of the Everton club and is on the high road to breaking the biggest goals for figure ever knew in the League game. 
CRITCHLEY'S POINT 
All this time the crowd was wanting  Dean to make his 200th, goal for  Everton, and Critchley took the third  point against the depleted forces of the  Reading side when, after a free kick  and a tumbledown melee in the mouth of goal. Critchley shot hard and unexpectedly, and the ball struck a defender before entering the net.  Reading were not without their attacks, and each Everton back, accidentally got in the way of a shot.   Allan played extremely well, but did not get sufficient response from his comrades, and Bacon, Micawber-like, waiting for the unexpected chance, got few opportunities.  The Reading right winger, Davies, was hardly seen this half, whereas in the first portion he had been the live wire. After Richardson had saved well from Stein, Gee trod on the ball, fell on the flat of his back and scraped himself.  He recovered without needing to go off the field in a minute Critchley had his ankle hurt on the touch-line, and he limped off the field that the sides became ten each.  McClure and a rival had a tussle near the touchline, and Gee threw up a foot awkwardly and unwisely, while Stein was unlucky not to score with a ball that struck the goalkeeper and the post.
A BACON GOAL
Reading scored a nice goal through Bacon, and thus endeavor met with some reward.  Reading made a battling finish, and Bacon was near turning the margin to a single goal.  Dean was quite without luck.  A fortnight ago he struck the woodwork of the Stanley Park six minutes from the start of the play.  Today, six minutes from the end, he headed again towards the same goals, and when the goalkeeper was beaten the crossbar saved him, so that once again it looked as if the crowd’s vocal celebration was deemed to be held up for a week or so.  On time Bacon scored for Reading.  And so on the Cup semi-final.  Critchly was attended by the doctor after the game.  His left ankle was hurt, but everyone hopes and believes the whole side will be fit and ready for the semi-final.  Final; Everton 3, Reading 2. 

THE BIGGEST MAN AT EVERTON-MR. TOM McINTOSH, SECRETARY
Liverpool Echo, Saturday March 7 1931
By Bees
You’ll pardon me if I indulge in a secretarial bout. You'll pardon me if I suggest that the English League has paid tribute to the Everton F.C. secretary Mr. Tom McIntosh.  It will bring a blush to his cheeks, but I know it to be true. When a secretary sends in a transfer deal and arranges for the payment to be made to the player (accrued share of the transfer fee is the official designation), some officials make the amount a figure that suggests they are drawing up their expenses sheet for the week and cannot make it balance to the wife’s satisfaction.  Well, when "Tom Mac" sends in the amount it is audited and found correct.  He is a model of a penman, as befits a man of the Army, a man of scholastic attainments, and a former player and present-day secretary.  His books are understood of all; they are up to the tick of the clock; he nearly went to the Spurs during the battling time of the Everton club. That was the time when everyone was blamed for everyone else’s work. The Press had spoiled the players; the chairman should he shot  at dawn; the directors did not know  their job; the trainer was unable to  train the side, and the secretary—well, those pleasant people who are too shy  to sign their names sent anonymous  letters to me suggesting the one way out  was to get rid of the secretary. But there he stands to-day, still holding the rains, and probably no one ever connects him with the success of the side in this unfair partisan 1931 world.  Tom Mac found Andy Wilson when he was sixteen years old.  He found Dick Forshaw when he was secretary of Middlesbrough, from which club he came to Everton in—we won’t argue the date or we might come to have soother friendly wager on the point.  He has trekked many miles and found some fine stars.  He has a heart that sometimes says “A curse on these pressmen and their call for tickets." He thinks they want to fill the ground as well as the box!  We soon forget his chiding—and get our tickets!  A howler in the summer; hope, one day to win the Isle of Man tournament.  There if no tax on hope—otherwise you and I could not live another day!  Tom Mac is beloved of the players:  they listen to his talks, to his advice; he may bark and he might bite, but they know he is working for the one common cause—the good of the club.  To be a secretary of a club that has had its factions and fights every annual meeting-not forgetting its dummy voters--is to have a task not thankless but at times awkward.  I am glad “the biggest man” in Everton goes on his way smiling, rejoicing in his favourite phrase at the card table, “Aha!” You’ll pardon me if I am personal; his bigness refers to his bulk and it is necessary to recall that spite that out-size he still fields the dainty feet that carried him so well in his playing days for Darlington.  His memory for players, facts, history, scores and scorers is the envy of all journalists.  A long life, sir! That is our wish. 

THE THIRD CUP CLASH IN 30 YEARS
Liverpool Echo- Saturday, March 7, 1931
WEST BROMWIICH ALBION AND EVERTON IN SEMI-FINAL AT OLD TRAFFORD
“ALBION”-THE BLUES’ FINAL PASS-WORD OR PASS-OUT
ONCE UPON A TIME-BY “BEE”
Once upon a time West Bromwich Albion played at a ground called upon Spon Lane.  They were very kind to me when I entered their Press box, which had its covering of corrugated iron.  West Bromwich was “Heaven" to me, because Frank of that name was secretary.  Billy Bassett was just ending his playing days. Fred Evertiss was a clerk in the employ of this really old-fashioned side.  Billy Williams, the back, was a great, big, fat, jovial fellow, and at that time, the throstle in the cage, the symbol of the Albion club, was still chirping of the glorious days that were when Reader, the goalkeeper, kept goal in long trousers.  But those were the days when long trousers, long whiskers. "Sideboards,” and long coats were everyday wear.  Fred Everiss was twenty-one in 1902.  Fred Everiss is still the secretary.  William Isaiah Bassett has grown from player to captain, from captain to director, and from director to chairman.  The club was moved in spite of the difficulties that always will beset them when they fashion the framing of the Albion side.  Many years ago they bought a player named Hadley from Aston Villa, and l think they bought a Scotchman as well.  They paid good money for them, and the pair were soon among the “crockery."  From that time the Albion have  definitely refused to pay any sized fee  for anyone, and they go round their  salubrious neighbourhood working  and blending stern young fellows,  who, like Tommy Magee, may lack inches but have hearts of abnormal  size.  Now that is the Albion. They are a big wonderful side in most respects, not altogether fashionable in these days, but everyone a game with them. I think, because they are sharp and speedy.  Yet when they were at Sheffield United’s ground for a replay against Barnsley the famous Pennington defence was pierced, and Barnsley won the Cup.  Then against West Brom the following year we beat them at Bolton, and went on to the final tie to be beaten in what has since come to be known as a  "team selection failure."  This was the great debate over George Wilson signing for Everton before the Cup-tie. He refused, and that was how the bother began.  I think the nattiest thine of all is a letter from "J. S." of Stanley-road,  Morden, London, the remarkable  feature of which is the fact that it was  written in December apparently before  the Cup draw was known, and it reads;  “As an Evertonian (l was born in Northumberland-terrace, not far from  Goodison Park), I simply must tell you  that the majority of my dreams come  true, and that for the second time in  the last five months I have dreamed that  Everton won the Cup. 
SMALL DREAMS COME TRUE? 
"The first dream was in August last, when I saw a civilian (representing the manager of the team, I daresay, holding the Cup with both hands and smiling hugely, with a football field and a grandstand in the rear.  “The dream came again last night, but it seemed different. A newspaper figured in it, and there was a heated correspondence on the worth of the different Cup teams, and it was asserted by one that Everton had the right men and would win the Cup. I enclose you a Victory’ medal for luck."  This was sent to Mr. Secretary MacIntosh.  The wife of the chairman of the Everton Football Club very carefully tucked away in Mr. W. C. Cuff's pocket a little bit of fabric.  This was an original portion of a corner flag used in the 1906 Final, when Everton beat Newcastle United 1-0.  It has been kept all these years as a memento, and Mrs. Cuff has insisted on the chairman taking it with him to every Cup-tie wherever it may be.  And so, may it end “happy ever after." 
EIGHTIES AND NINETIES-BY ‘BLACKSTAFF’
So Everton make their ninth appearance in the Cup semi-finals.  This is cheering news after fifteen lean years in this fascinating tournament.  A Second Division battle for a place of honour in the final is only fitting,  considering that West Bromwich Albion  have given Everton a good run in the League in this season of runaway promotion,  and Everton will be particularly  satisfied that they are to meet  friendly Icemen of such traditions as  the Albion at this vital stage.  Although for the last five seasons West Bromwich Albion have fallen upon evil days in so far as losing First League status, and finding it hard to regain is concerned, they have had a lively fortune in the Cup, as witness these excerpts from their records: - 1927.—Lost 1-2 to Hull City, and Hull City went two rounds further, including Everton among their victims, after two replays.  1928.—Lost 0-2 to Arsenal, who went as far as the semi-finals.  1929.—Beaten 1.2 by Huddersfield Town  in 6th round, after beating Bradford  6-0, Middlesbrough 1-0, and Grimsby  Town 2-0, after a draw I-I. Huddersfield  were the beaten finalists.  1930.—Lost 0-1 to Wrexham in third round.  This is surely Albion's and Everton’s year—jointly, if they could have it so. Albion may share in the promotion —let us hope they do—but Everton must have their say in the Cup progress towards an all-Midland final.  West Bromwich Albion have been  eleven times in the semi-finals, Everton  nine and, a while Everton have won the  Cup but once, in 1906, Albion have won  it twice, but not more recently, in 1888  and 1892.  The eighties and nineties were grand days for both clubs. Of the six times West Bromwich have been in the final,  there were three consecutive occasions in  1885, 1887, and 1888, again in 1892 and  1895, and lastly in 1912, when they lost  to the redoubtable Barnsley 1-0, after a  draw 0-0 and an extra half-hour in the  replay.  Everton did not come into final considerations for nearly twenty years after their formation.  Then we find them losing 0-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1893, losing 2-3 to Alton Villa in 1897, lifting the Cup in 1906, and lastly losing to Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 in 1907, making four final appearances in all.   Here is how the clubs reached the semi-final this season: 
Everton
Plymouth Argyle (a) 2-0
Crystal Palace (a) 6-0
Grimsby Town (h) 5-3
Southport (h) 9-1
Scores Dean 9, Johnson 4, Dunn 3, Stein 3, Critchley 2, Wilde (Crystal palace)
West Bromwich Albion
Charlton Athletic (h) 2-2
Charlton athletic (a) 1-1
Charlton athletic (at Stamford Bridge) 3-1
Tottenham Hotspur (h) 1-0
Portsmouth (a) 1-0
Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) 1-1
Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) 2-1
Scores; Wood 4, W.H. Richardson 4, Carter 2, Sandford 1.
Clearly, Everton have had by far the easier passages, since all their wins have been clear cut and of no extraordinary difficulty, with the exception, perhaps, of Grimsby Town.  Albion’s opposition has proved generally stiffer, and Charlton and Wolves have demanded three replays between them before they took their quietus.  Everton have two League victories chalked up against the Albion this season, but in neither case was the  scoring of the Second Division leaders  prolific, being limited to 2-1 at each  ground. 
NO OLD SCORES 
Everton have no old scores to pay off against West Bromwich Albion in this Cup-tie. If there is to be any heaping coals of fire upon a head, it would be on Everton's head.  This is the third Cup meeting between the clubs within the last thirty years.  Everton have won twice-1906 in the first round, and 1907 in the semi-final.  In both years Everton figured in the final.  Perhaps Albion "is Everton's password, or maybe the " third time will  do it "  Albion are a hard, practical side such  as will concerted, the balance of play to  opponents if, by a well-concerted breakaway  movement, they can get the goals  that have been so all-important to them  without being quite so numerous as in  Everton's case.  It is this self-reliant feature of West Bromwich Albion, which, compared with Everton’s highly - perfected scoring machine, makes next Saturday's semifinal a match of such tremendous attractiveness.  Can the new Everton, for which, six weeks ago, l promised Cup final  honours an League promotion, justify  me against the new West Bromwich  Albion, themselves on the threshold of a rise to the highest in the land?  My boldness knows no end. Everton's confidence is my confidence.  Everton are less strangers to Old Trafford than West Bromwich Albion, who have not been there for four seasons.  That's a counter with most teams.  Albion's defence his conceded fewer goals than any other in the two leading divisions of the League, yet the Everton machine has gone through it four times.  That is only form.  Yes, I think so. It should be a rattling good straight game, and my regret is that I shall not see it.

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo-Saturday, February 7 1931
By Louis T Kelly

SHEFF RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 07 March 1931
At Hillsborough, in cold weather, before 3,000 spectators.  Everton, who had a strong wind behind them, attacked strongly, and Breadon made fine saves from Wilkinson, Leyfield, Hodgson and Martin.  Wednesday improved, and took the lead after forty minutes through Allen.  Half-time; Sheffield Wed Reserves 1, Everton reserves 0.  In the second half Sagar made clever saves for the visitors.  Jones scored again for the Wednesday, after twenty-five minutes


A Photograph of Andrew Hannah who was the first Everton Captain to win the league championship in 1891

EVERTON 3 READING 2
March 9 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Everton's goals Record
A narrow win against Reading
For the second time in a fortnight Dean sought to obtain the goal needed to make his individual total 200. Again he was denied it, but he helped others to get the goals that gave Everton their 3-2 victory over Reading. It was for Everton a surprisingly narrow margin, and their policy seemed to suggest they were not prepared to risk injury for a big win being satisfied to hold their opponents to a safe victory. Their goals for reached 104, and a new record as the best obtained in any one season. The game with Reading, however, was not impressive, although there were bright patches, that helped to relieve much of the work that was unconvincing. Beyond doubt Everton were not at their best. They found difficulty in controlling the light ball, and if Saturday's contest could be taken in a guide it would seem they do better on a heavy ground than on a hard dry surface. The conditions were the direct opposite of whose under which recent games have been played, and while Everton probably went for safety, Reading were more venturesome, and in a blank first half had quite as much of the play as Everton. Shortly before the interval Reading lost the services of Eaton who sustained a fractured nose and was taken to hospital for treatment, while seventeen minutes from the end Critchley retired with a damaged ankle. In seven minutes Everton put on three goals, the scorers being Johnson (53 minutes), Dunn (56 minutes), and Critchley (60 minutes). That seemed good enough to carry them to a comfortable victory, but the plucky Reading side, with ten players, strove gallantly and twice Bacon reduced the lead, the fine goal being scored a minute from the end. Dean made many good attempts to get the much-anticipated goal, although his colleagues had difficulty in giving him the ball, especially in the first half.
Crossbar intervenes.
Dean had better chances afterwards, and his nearest attempt at scoring came five minutes from the end, when he headed against the crossbar. As a distributive agent Dean was up to his usual standard. He timed accurately his passes to the winger and his heading was generally well done. While the forwards as a line were not at their best, they showed how deadly they could be by scoring three in seven minutes, and at that stage the sound Reading defence was badly shaken. The half-backs made an effective line, and the defence generally had the measure of the Reading forwards, Richardson in the Reading goal, impressed with the safe, clean handling, and the backs especially Hodgkiss kicked well. Allan was the best of the middle line, and of the forwards Bailey was a prominent worker . Teams; Everton; Coggins, goal; Williams (captain) and Cresswell, backs; McClure, Gee, Thomson, half-backs, Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, and Stein, forwards. Reading; - L. Richardson, goal; Hodgkiss and J. Richardson, backs; Allan, McNell, and Darnell, half-backs; Davies, Eaton, Bacon, Bailey, and McPherson, forwards.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY RESERVES 3 EVERTON RESERVES 0
March 9 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Central League (Game 31)
Everton Reserves played clever but ineffective football at Hillsbrough, and the more direct and forceful attacks of Sheffield Wednesday gained the victory. Sagar made some thrilling saves and Common was excellent at back, while Griffiths was the pick of the halves. The visiting forwards were attractive to watch, both Wilkinson and Leyfield being prominent on the wings, but all their efforts were negatived by Breedon's excellent goalkeeping. Aitkens and Jones (2) were Wednesday's scorers.
St James C.Y.M.S 2 Everton "A" 2
Liverpool County Combination
At Bootle. A draw was a fitting result. Both sides had plenty of chances to gain the lead, but neither scored before the interval. Soon after the resumption, the home side went in front through Bule, but Fryer soon put Everton on equal terms. Davies later increased the visitors' score, but Tole levelled the scorers in the last minute.

CRITCHLEY MAY NOT BE FIR FOR THE CUP-TIE
March 9 th 1931. Evening Express
Who will take his place?
By the Pilot.
Critchleys mishap come as a sever blow to Everton. Today, it was impossible to say whether or not Critchley will be fit for the Semi-final. His ankle is twisted. It has given him some pain, but it is certainly making progress under the presented treatment. Even if Critchley is fit for Saturday he will not be able to train more than one day this week, but this is not regarded as a serious handicap, for at this period of the season, it is not a question of getting players fit, but of merely keeping them fit. Incidentally Critchley is as fit a player as you will find in League football. If Critchley should not be fit what then? Everton will be left with the problem of either reintroducing Monty Wilkinson, the former Newcastle United winger or experimenting with Rigby in the position. Another solution would to be transfer Stein across to the outside right and bring A Rigby back to the outside left. Stein uses his right foot even more than he does his left, but memory tells me that when he was tried on the right before he was not a great success. In any case I think it would b folly to break up the Johnson –Stein –Thomson combination. If a place has to be filled put in the best man available and leave it at that. Critchley's accident as unfortunate and I attribute it to the hard, frostbound ground, just as I advance the same reason for the mediocre game. He injured his left ankle when tackled by Darnell.
A broken nose.
There was another accident in the first half on Saturday's game at Goodison Park, when Eaton, the Reading inside right, was accidentally kicked in the nose by Thomson. He had to be treated at the hospital for a compound fracture of the nose. Had both teams been at full strength all through, I think the result would have been the same. There was just about a goal differnce between the sides, neither of which was happy on the iron-like turf. It was the poorest game seen on the ground this season and considering the time the Everton men took to shake off the mud complex and return to dry ground methods, one naturally wonders what will happen at Old Trafford. The Reading match proved that Everton show to better advantage on a muddy ground. In this match only Johnson and Gee were able to manipulate and control the ball with any certainty in the first half. There was an all-round improvement after the interval, but even so it was poor football. Reading were a better team than most people though. Their defence was sound, and the half-backs strong and willing. Forward, Bacon compared favorably with Dean, and while I know Reading are searching the land for scoring inside men I do not think they need worry about the centre forward position.
Everton upset.
Yet Reading was not opposing the real Everton. The ground upset the Blues' customary smooth working machine. Johnson was the best of the attackers because he always mastered the ball instead of allowing the ball to master him. Dean tried hard for his 200 th League goal for Everton, but the fates were against him, and Dunn carved out some clean-cut openings for both wingers who were much better after the interval. Gee was excellent all through. Besides being the best purveyor of the ball in the game, he was ever ready to fall back and help the defence when matters were not running smoothly. This happened rather too much. After the match I heard some people saying, "Ah, Everton were reserving themselves," I do not agree.

EVERTON WIN THROUGH AND REST ON THEIR OARS
Liverpool Echo - Monday 09 March 1931
ONE INJURED MEMBER IN THE CUP SIDE
COMPARISONS WITH ALBION'S RECORD
Bee’s Notes
One ought to have been sorry for all played at the week-end. It was a shocking day for football; hard, icy grounds. The men were Arctic stars, and the spectators were a hardy race to elect to go out of doors. The compelling force of football is such, however, that winning sides always draw the people from the firesides. It was so at Everton, where a 3-2 verdict looks rather loose and  unsatisfying, yet to those present it  never a squeak result, but merely  the outcome et Everton easing up and  making sure their legs were safe for,  Saturday's Cup-tie at Manchester against  West Bromwich Albion. The lead was  threefold, and that seemed sufficient;  when Reading brought home their  Bacon—a reserve centre forward who  showed us a stout exhibition, sometimes  tousy, sometimes off the mark, but a  display that suggests to me that this  strong young lad is going to be a force in  senior football—if Reading let him go.  Reading impressed us by their nippiness; yet once Everton had tasted a goal the crop rose to three in double quick time. How odd it is that Dean has failed to get that 200th goal. Yet he, least of all, cares a fig for figures. He  continued to give his most unselfish display,  and once again the Stanley Park  goal stemmed our outburst of enthusiasm  for him by preventing the ball passing  through after the goalkeeper had been  beaten It is quaint to read just now  that Dean wants one for his 200, after  the denials had been presented to certain  readers. Make no mistake about it-if  the headed goal had come a fortnight  ago some people would have been left  with no excuse, and the " Football  Echo " would have been unpleasant  reading for some folk. 
ALBIONS SLIP A POINT 
Our “Echo “gave you a full and saucy comment on the doings of the West Bromwich club on Saturday. I only mention the game here and now because it has a collateral form pointer. Millwall drew at the Hawthorns; Everton beat Millwall, and hope to do the same thing in a fortnight at Goodison Park -after they have beaten West Bromwich.  As I have said. Everton's one goal lead of Reading is all wrong judged on what happened, but it is a pity anyone was hurt. Reading's inside broke his nose, but returned to the team from hospital before the game was over. Critchley, who had done so well in the second half, got an ankle injury, and was busy attending to it, aided by the club doctor, when I popped in to see him.  The right winger was inclined to be doleful about this unfortunate accident, but I think he will be all right for the semi-final game. His partner, Dunn, was doing his stuff during this game and the people were laughing with him. A year ago any attempt to perform such tricks would have led them to laugh at him. He and Johnson were very skilled in their opening out of play, and I thought Gee was particularly prime in his run-up as well as in the severity of his tackles and the severe way in which he made the ball do important work once he had won it. Gee and Williams are plainly liking the change to the dry ground. Here and there people were saying that the defence was not satisfying. They little reek how the last trio kept Everton from sinking in the first four months of the season.  The dry ground showed Williams a very roasting, roaring full-back and Cresswell against the wind and walking the icy plank was very brainy. No, the defence is all right and the half back line is very taut. The forwards? Well, let their goals for speak for themselves. 
RECORDS GOING BY 
This is a record season for Everton.  Dean wants one for his 200. The club has never scored so many goals for as this season—the championship year has been passed, but I must correct a mistaken figure that crept into my report of Saturday. When Everton won the championship, and Dean got his sixty, the total was 102, of course, not 202 that was plainly a mistake. I think  Everton are sure to break all records  for all leagues in the goals for business,  and as for the championship of Division  11., well, ten more points from the eleven  games remaining will make them unassailable—they  can't escape the  honours. Meantime, 'Spurs have blundered at home, and, therefore, West Brom, are on their mark for accompaniment of the Everton certs.  It is all vary crushing this wild chase of football fame and fortune Everton are to-day basking in the sunshine of success, comforted in the knowledge that they are winning their games outright—everyone this year has been won—while others are indulging in the nerve-wracking replay principle with so many mid-week games to work off that they cannot hope to be so fresh as Everton. However, freshness will not necessarily turn a Cup semi-final to our side; there must be action, continuous, persistent, and definite near either goal. May the good work goes on is my worst wish. 

BE SENSIBLE OVER THE CUP-TIE; THE TRUTH ABOUT CRITCHLEY
Liverpool Echo-Tuesday March 10, 1931
NOT A TIME FOR “SWAPPING HORSES"
CUP TEAM TO BE CHOSEN TO-NIGHT 
Bee’s Notes
Picturesque exaggeration seems to be preferred to plain truth in these days of Everton's success. Already we have been told that should Critchley not be able to play in the Cup-tie then Wilkinson may come in; then an afterthought in case a bow is not strung aright: “Mayhap Stein will cross over to the right wing and thus let in Rigby at outside left." All of which is kite-flying.  An Everton official asked me yesterday, “How is Critchley?"  First of all, let us get the facts right.  Everton meet to-night to pick the winning side—that is their hope and designation.  It will be the usual side; the usual selection. Critchley's name will be in.  Critchley himself told me to-day, “I ‘am hoping and believing I shall play.  The injury was awkward and painful, but Harry Cooke and the doctor are doing everything they can for me and I am lying up. Naturally, I want to continue to the end of the Cup series."  Of course! Very naturally.  Naturally. Everton will not meet their troubles half-way. But this is not generally known: If Everton settle the game at Manchester one way or the other they will not be back in Liverpool at night; they will go to London for the Spurs game at White Hard-lane, so that any desire on the part of the city to welcome the side back to the city will have to be postponed until Tuesday.  Actually the officials and the players are really shy about the return packet; they “have had some." Their appearance  home after the original round of the,  Cup gave the players a foretaste of what  they could expect if they went any  length in the Cup-ties--and here they  are with possibilities of a final tie and a  Royal handshake. 
A SILLY SUGGESTION 
The suggestion made (not in the  " Echo," of course), that the brilliant  left flank, Stein, Johnson and Thomson,  should be split, is about the most  absurd I have ever heard. Everton have not been entirely free from the disease of experiments. Some have been successful, the majority have  been rather foolish in the long run, but  one would not like to think of a Cup-tie  being risked through a team selection, and I do not think for one moment the  directors would consider the silly  thought of splitting the three men  named.  While we give every player his due in this really remarkable run of the Everton Football Club, we must not forget the subtle and sound work of Johnson, the response of Stein, and the linking up of the most consistent halfback in football this season, Thomson, to wit.  To breathe the suggestion of splitting the trio is to show a lack of football nouse and knowledge. I won't say any more, or I might get ill-tempered. 
A Leeds man is trying to sell Everton v. West Bromwich tickets at a profiteering margin.  We will not help him in his endeavor.  In fact we are almost brutally inclined to wish he has the thirty tickets left on his hand. 
There is a collection at Everton on March 21 (Millwall match), for the National Playing Fields for Boys.  Collectors please send names to Everton F.C.

EVERTON F.C.  LATEST 
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 10 March 1931
PLAYERS TAKE A "TALKIE” AND CRITCHLEY A REST 
Critchley turned up at the Everton ground to-day, and was limping badly.  The doctor and Critchley, together with trainer Cooke, say that it is quite possible Critchley will be playing on Saturday.  All the other members of the team, who had been making a talkie, were keen to know the verdict in the Critchley case.  If Critchley is unable to play, it will be the first break in the formation of the side since January 1, in which period the team has won every match.  Today the ground was pretty hard, so the Everton players took the chance of trying out some boots suited to hard ground. The captain, Williams, and others of the team, bore marks on their thighs of the seventy of the week-end game. They were scraped fiercely. 

A SMILE AND A DENIAL ABOUT EVERTON'S HALF-BACK LINE
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 11 March 1931
Bee’s Notes
When we think of Everton and their purchases, and turn our eyes to West Bromwich Albion and their method of digging for diamonds," we find two diametrically opposed principles.  Everton cannot afford to wait. They have to buy the ready-made goods; at least that has been the impression until this year, in which two young half-backs have loomed into the team rather unexpectedly, and have stayed in the first team.  To do the Everton team justice, it is fit and proper that there should be a smile and a denial of the story published that the Everton half-back line is composed of twenty-one-year-old players.  McClure is a little bit more than that, and Thomson, of course, would like to cast back to twenty-one years of age.  Then it has been declared by another writer that Everton have not met a First Division side in their travel to the Cup semi-final. Apparently Grimsby Town is not in the First Division.  The point of moment is the fact that West Bromwich Albion have had to live upon their resources and their farseeing officials. Their secretary, Mr.  Everiss, has been with them since he was thirteen years of age, which was in 1896. Since, thirty years ago, they bought a Scotchman, and he turned out expensive, they have never had time to be so foolish as to buy anything at top price. 
A MERRY MEMORY 
Tom Merry, the “Dockside Poet,” writes:—A Everton may very likely go to Wembley, and even possibly win the Cup again, the following true incident may be interesting. I was appearing as comedian at the Pavilion, Lodge-lane, the week that they won the English Cup last time (1906). On the Saturday evening I was waiting in the wings to log my songs—the first a waiter's song.  The news of Everton's win inspired me with the following gag: — “A lady and gent came in for a pot of tea. I gave them the tea. Said the gent, ‘You have only given us one cup, waiter I said, 'Where do you come from?' He said, ' Newcastle.' I said, ‘l’m very sorry, we only have one, and Everton has got it.' “The applause was so persistent I had to retire on that gag. 
LOOKING TO HOLIDAY CRUSH 
“Regular" writes:—I have watched the Everton F.C. on many occasions this season, and I have been impressed by the fine displays given by the whole team. Griffiths assisted the club regularly up to his injuries, and played about twenty-two matches. I am sure everyone feels very pleased that Griffiths has now recovered and is playing again in the Central League team. Gee has proved himself a good substitute, although it must be home in mind that he has not had the experience of Griffiths. Everyone must be pleased to think that Everton have two good centre-halfs. How many clubs would give anything to have a player of Griffiths’ ability in their defence. All followers of Everton F.C. are proud to see them on top of Division 11, and going so well in the Cup.  We know it is not wise to move or change a winning team, but when the Easter holiday football matches crowd on us try Griffiths right-back and Williams left-back. 
WHAT MORE CAN MAN DESIRE? 
A spectator went to Everton and saw seven goals for is. He had enough, and went to Liverpool, there to see four goals for 5d.  A Cup-tie, a League match, and eleven goals for 1s 5d. 
GRIFFITHS 
"Bob Tanner" writes from Blackpool:  The time is not far distant when the composition of the remaining matches will make it impossible for either West Brom, or Tottenham to overtake Everton. This, in the absence of a fixture list, was what I thought you were “getting at” when you announced the “mystery " match. I am sorry it flopped; you are such a sport, “Bee"— heart and soul in your business. Anyway, there’s time to unload the above possibility; perhaps one of your ‘loose tenants will work it out for you. I  am glad that the Blues find it  impossible to shelve Critchley ; it makes  me smile to continually see his name  prominent after what he has gone  through, with the crowd, and the  selectors.  He was never bad—like ‘em all, just moody. Hampson would be a big deal, but get someone on Rattray, outside right--he's a gem-this is his first season in senior football. Like Critchley, has had to win his way in-with good talent alongside is going to be a big noise someday. My judgment has never failed I tipped Bromilow, Chambers, Lucas (good old Tommy), Forshaw—all good lads. Kind regards and many thanks for your bright columns. 
PULLING THE "BELLS" 
"Custard" writes:—I should like to pay a tribute to the Everton team.  Having been fortunate enough to witness all the home matches this season and a few away, I have only once seen the team defeated—a remarkable record which speaks for itself. One wonders what "Chiming Bells' thinks of this wonder team. Is there any defence the First Division that could stop this machine-like forward line breaking through? I'm afraid not. As I suggested early on, the Blues would jump the fence first time of asking  “Chiming Bells " saw twenty-one  reasons for stopping them, and I'm  afraid his bells require attention. In conclusion. I maintain the Blues at the present time are the finest team in the world, and I, for one, fully expect the double treat once again, dear "Bee."  Kind regards. 

EVERTON EXPERIMENTS 
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 11 March 1931
AGAINST OLDHAM ATHLETIC RESERVES 
Everton Res., against Oldham Res., tried on some new position. Griffiths went right-half. White, centre half, Britton as outside-right with Rigby inside left.  The ground was almost ideal for the first time for four months. Hacking, in the Oldham goal, made electric dashes, but fused his charge when he took too many steps.  The former Everton and Middlesbrough player, Kennedy, tried hard to score against his old side and against a man twice his height (Griffiths), Oldham scored first (says “Bee ") through Seymour, although Sagar made a very fine effort to stop the shot.  Oldham were the better side in the first half, and their centre half, Finney, made a telling shot, which Sager saved.  Hodgson, the Marine centre forward.  Rigby went close with a low shot, and was useful without getting many chances.  Sagar's somersault infused some life into the dull Everton side, and Martin made a corner and converted with a nice header from Leyfield's corner kick.  Oldham's backs were tall and rare workers, and the forwards were nippy and interesting. Dyson was sharp in movement and shot. Half-time.—Everton Res. 1, Oldham Res. 1. 

EVERTON RESERVES 2 OLDHAM ATHLETIC RESERVES 1
March 12 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Central League (Game 32)
Everton Reserves win
Daring Goalkeepers.
Everton beat Oldham Athletic in the Central League match at Goodison Park, yesterday by 2-1. In the early part of the first half, Oldham played the better football, and were the nippier and more definite in front of goal. Oldham took the lead through Seymour, scoring from a good pass from Kennedy, the former Everton and Middlesbrough player, who has been appearing at inside left and outside left, and yesterday was in the inner berth, playing with trickiness, skill, and power. Martin headed the equaliser just before half-time, and finally a free kick taken by Towers, the half-back, found the Oldham goalkeeper unsighted, and the ball sole into the net. The second half provided many thrills but although the goalkeeping of Hacking and Sagar was of a high character. Hacking was the more demonstrative, and each goalkeeper lost possession of the ball at times but recovered it with great daring.
Britton's Display.
In the Everton side were many experiments. Griffiths appeared at right half with White centre half and both got through a heavy day's work. Britton
tried at outside right, was more than successful in centring, but was inclined to double back too often in a dribble. Rigby at inside left, kept young Leyfield going smoothly and also produced his driving forces. On the losing side Hacking was defended by sound backs in Stafford and Brown, Finney at centre half-back was the best in the intermediate line, and Worrall and Dyson were the superior wing. Seymour at centre forward had not sufficient chances.

IT IS 100 TO 1 AGAINST CRITCHLEY BEING FIT.
March 12 th 1931. Evening Express.
But Everton will make decision after test tomorrow-official.
By the Pilot.
I cannot now see any possibility of Critchley being sufficiently fit to play in the Cup semi-final tie on Saturday. If he is really well enough to take his usual place, it will be little short of a miracle. His injured ankle is to be tested tomorrow, when the directors will make a final decision. The substitute for Critchley definitely will be Wilkinson, the former Newcastle United player, who used to be a centre-forward, and has developed as an outside-right since he has been with Everton. West Bromwich Albion's team will not be chosen until Saturday morning. The hopes that Critchley would recover in time for the Old Trafford game have faded badly in the Everton camp. The ankle injury he sustained in the Reading match has made excellent progress, but not sufficient to increase hope that he will be capable of enduring 90 minutes of strenuous cup tie football. Today he was still limping and the match is only 48 hours ahead. Everything possible has been done to get Critchley right. No club could have given a player better attention. Yet, six days is all too short to effect a complete cure. Everton directors will take no risk in playing a man about whom there is the slightest doubt on the grounds of fitness. Their policy will be; A sound reserve player is better than a half-fit first team man.
A memory.
Everton are not likely to forget the Chedgzoy incident at Brighton in 1924. The outside right was limping for some days before the match. Curiously enough, it was a Cup-tie. He was still limping when he took the field after having run up and down the touch-line for 10 minutes before the game, Everton lost that match by five goals to 2, and though the defeat could not be attributed to Chedgzoy, undoubtedly the knowledge that he was not sound upset his colleagues in addition to not allowing him to give of his best. All the rest of the Everton players will play as selected. Coggins bruised his hands at ball practice on Tuesday, but this was slight, and it has left no ill-effects. Every player is in the pink of condition, and the remainder of the preparation will be merely muscle looseners to keep the men in the excellent conditions they have reached.
Albion team choice deferred
Anxiety about two positions.
West Bromwich Albion's eleven will be selected on Saturday morning, when the conditions of the Old Trafford ground is known. The weather, too, will be taken into account. The players to travel are Pearson, Shaw, Trentham, Finch, Magee, WE Richardson, Edwards, Glidden, Raw, Carter, WG Richardson, Sandford and Wood. The extra player to the usual Cup eleven are Finch and Raw, and unless the directors take a risk and make an, experiment which would involve changes in at least three positions –which they are scarcely likely to do –the team which beat the Wolves will carry the club's colour in the semi-final. At the same time, one or two positions have caused the directors some anxiety. Glidden lately has been off colour and Magee, the right half back, has been suffering from lumbago. Rambles in the country have formed the chief item in the training programme of West Bromwich Albion, and the trainer report that he is thoroughly satisfied with the conditions of the men.

WILKINSON TO PLAY FOR GOODISON SIDE TOMORROW
March 12 th 1931. Evening Express.
Critchley's injured ankle fails to stand the test
By the Pilot
The Captains
I hope for a good, clean game, with the better team getting the Wembley plum. I think that team will be Everton. We realise this is the hardest tasks we have had so far, but the Everton players, are determined to make this a record-season. If we lose it will not be for want of fighting. Ben Williams, Everton captain. We have every hope winning. We know the might of Everton, but we shall do our best to counter it with our skill and our enthusiasm. West Bromwich and Smithwick people expect us to advance to the final. Depend upon it we shall do, our best to justify our supporters' highest hopes. –Tommy Glidden, West Bromwich captain Critchley's test at Goodison Park today shattered all Everton's hopes of his inclusion in the team for the F.A. Cup semi-final with West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford, Manchester, tomorrow. Wilkinson has been selected to take his place at outside right. Everton therefore, make the first change in the eleven, which has carried them to the last four of the competition. Wilkinson will be making his debut in the F.A.Cup in Everton's colours. Good luck to him! It is hard luck on Critchley that he is unable to play in such an important match. Wilkinson, if he strikes his real form, is a menace to any defence. He has a big heart, is quick off the mark, fast, and can deliverer a tremendous shot on the run.
Match of the season.
The match is certain to be one of the best of the season, and in my opinion Everton will win at the first time of asking. My reasons for being so emphatic are; They are the form team. Twice already in the Second Division they have defeated the Albion. Everton have scored 22 goals in four Cup games against exactly half the number by the Albion in seven games. They have secured 52 points from 31 League matches, whereas the Albion can only claim 39 from a similar number of games. Tradition indicates the Blues as the winners. Three times the clubs have met in the cup-twice in the semi-final-and each time Everton have proved victorious and always reached the last two. The Throstles have a wonderful away record. They have lost but four away games since last March. But their record on foreign soil this season is not as good as Everton's. The Goodison Park men have won 21 points out of 26 played for, and the Albion have collected 17 out of 30 played for. It is true that League form does not count much in cup-ties, especially when that tie is a semi-final and your opponents are West Bromwich Albion –undoubtedly the best team seen at Walton this season. West Bromwich Albion play good football. They are quick-thinking and quiet of action, and they have one of the finest defences in the land. Everton will have to be at their best to win. One thing is certain. If the Albion are to win they will have to get plenty of goals, and I am convinced Dean and company will get goals. The Everton forwards can win this match if they reproduce their recent shooting abilities.
The Albion, who, like Everton, have been training quietly at home, have decided not to select their team until tomorrow morning, but I am informed that there is little likelihood of any change being made from the team which defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers. The ground at Old Trafford is, I am informed, in excellent conditions, and is now "plumb." This will suit both teams. I understand that Everton are to use the Manchester United dressing room –popularly known as the lucky room. Huddersfield Town used if for last season's semi-final with Sheffield Wednesday and won. Teams; - Everton; - Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee, Thomson; Wilkinson, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein. West Bromwich Albion; (from) –Pearson; Shaw, Trentham, Finch, Magree, W Richardson, Edwards, Gliddens, Raw, Carter, WG Richardson, Sandford, Wood. Referee; E. Wood (Sheffield).

CRITCHLEY'S BAD FORTUNE
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 12 March 1931
NO CHANCE OF PLAYING IN CUP-TIE
ENTER WILKINSON 
Bee’s Notes
Everton F.C. are giving Critchley a trial to-morrow.  That is the order of proceedings.  It is to be hoped the trial bring out something that seems impossible at the moment.  I am going to recall that “once upon a time" Everton went to Brighton with an outside right named Chedgzoy. He was not the real Chedzgoy. He broke down. I don’t agree with anyone who suggests that Everton lost that Lame BECAUSE Chedgzoy took his place.  However, the lesson of semi-fit men has never been lost on the club, and it is rather odd that it should be the outside right position that is the cause of the only bother in the Everton camp for Saturday's tie.  Critchley will not play.  Wilkinson is the natural successor, and he will be chosen in due course. He was left out of the side yesterday. The Newcastle United boy is a very hearty player, who rejoices (or otherwise) in the nom de football of “Bunty."  I hope he pulls some strings at Manchester.  He has a nice habit of cutting in and is a hefty shot. 
SEEING THEMSELVES AS OTHERS SEE THEM 
Everton F.C. players took the earliest opportunity of hearing and seeing themselves to-day. They went in a body to the Prince of Wales Picture House, and there saw their first talkie-a collection of the stars at Goodison Park on Tuesday morning in the snow- lad ground.  The filming is very good, but of the talking I dare not speak-I have a good reason for this, as I happened to be there at the time.  There are many Cup-tie novelties and screeds being sent to Everton wishing them luck, but the nattiest thing I have seen is the cutting-up process of Mr. Henry Moss, of 21, Goodison-road.  He has carved a way through a gramophone record with the inappropriate title on one side.  “OI’ Man Rover.” On the reverse side he has pictured the Everton players and curled the record into the shape of a shield.  
ALBION’S THIRTEEN
PROBABLE SIDE FOR EVERTON SEMI-FINAL 
West Bromwich Albion are taking  thirteen players to Manchester for then  semi-final tie with Everton, and the  team will be selected from the regular  cup team, with Raw and Finch available  if required.  The probable team is:—Pearson; Shaw, Trentham; Magee. Richardson (W.), Edwards; Glidden, Carter, Richardson (W. G.), Sandford, Wood.

EVERTON ON A TALKIE 
Liverpool Echo - Friday 13 March 1931
MOST OF THE PLAYERS VERY BASHFUL ABOUT IT 
A talkie film which may have historical value after the Cup final is being shown at the cinemas. It is of the Everton football team, made at Goodison Park, on Tuesday, by the Path Gazette, and included among the news items. Everton players were at the Prince of Wales cinema yesterday to see it.  This is the first time the players have starred on the screen instead of the pitch, and with the exception of Coggins, the goalkeeper, they seem very bashful and modest about the whole business, especially when “Bee," who supplies a spoken commentary from somewhere outside the camera's range, is saying nice things about them.  First of all, one sees the players in a group, and then there is a series of close-up, and “Bee" is heard relating their individual history and accomplishments. Coggin, smiles happily when his turn comes, but the others take themselves seriously.  The manager of the Prince of Wales (Mr. W. Thornton) intended to receive the players as the probable Cup winners, and take them to seats of honour, but some of them modestly paid at the door and slipped in with the least possible publicity. 

THE SEMI-FINAL WAY; CAPTAIN'S FINAL WORDS
Liverpool Echo - Friday 13 March 1931
BEN WILLIAMS INTERVIEWED
WEST BROM. PACE AND EVERTON'S BIG FIVE
SUGGESTION TO SPECTATORS
MY FINAL TIE SELECTIONS 
Bee’s Notes
It is not a habit of mine to go round asking footballers their views of a match. They can rarely say but one phrase: “We hope to win and are confident."  And at their heart there is a string or tug which says “Say nothing; least said soonest mended; your job is to get on with the game. Some team has got to go out; may it not be us."  Yes, in recent times we have had the whole eleven interviewed as to what they thought, brooded over, or believed.  We have heard of the lucky ties, the  lucky medals, the dreams—may they  come true!—and through it all I have  said to myself: " May the best sides win  to-morrow, whatever their names may  be." Away with the players' notions; maybe be takes a jaundiced view. Certainly I am going to make an exception to my own rule—in this the very big and awkward semi-final tie at Old Trafford ground. I saw Ben Williams, the silent Everton captain, a son of Wales who carries his brogue to the Merseyside and with it a very estimable character.  Ben Williams said little, but what he said was to the point, and is not talking for talking's sake.  He said: — I’m so glad it was not Wolves, and that it was West Brom."  That's all; but it tells of a belief that Wolves would have been bad to defeat, and Everton think they can master the West Brom, side; they have the form book on their side. They consider the 2-1 wins (league games this season) dependable form, and I would be with them in their thoughts of these  " previous victories " if I did not remember the fact that Everton's win at West Brom, was not a convincing one, and that the Albion forwards began the game as if they were going to dance their way through the defence.  We had not been used is such speed; we had not been used to such diminutive forwards (Carter excepted); it seemed that such flash football was going to take toll of the Everton defence.  Yet we remember that at that time the Everton forward line was poor and it was our defence that was lifting the League veil for us. Fortunately there was a second test, and at Goodison Park Everton won cleverly. So that the fears of Everton at West Bromwich have been washed away. At that period Albion were looking to promotion; Everton’s win there started them on the downward track. They revived at about the middle of January, but there is no doubt that West Bromwich have not been settled in their team-sheet nor yet in their game.  They have wobbled too perceptibly. On the other hand, Everton.  Have never stepped winning since the New Year bells chimed.  Everyone who has seen their away  games knows that the best form has been shown away from home, and that from January 1 there has been a steady,  sure, upward glance of the men who had  not quite made good. The half-back  changes had their effect; the interpassing  notions began to spread, and by that means the forward line got a bold  upon its better self, and goals came with a rattle and a regularity that made the 
team famous. For four months Everton had been getting them with not-too-clever notices in this column. To-day they have had bouquets for brilliance in the League and Cup series.  In fact, I will be so daring as to put up my final tie pair at this point of the  review:—  Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee, Thomson; Wilkinson, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein.  Wes Bromwich Albion; Pearson; Trentham, Shaw; Magre, Richardson, Edwards; Glidden, Carter, W.G. Richardson, Sandford, Wood. 
WEMBLEY 1931 - EVERTON V.  BIRMINGHAM 
And in such a case as that I should not care a bit which side won; I would like both of them to succeed!  Before that, however, there's a little war on at Manchester tomorrow. And it will be well if Everton get through the first task first, and then consider ways and means of doing the final tie honorably and well.  And what is the danger mark of the Albion? Just this:  West Brom will fly fast to-morrow.  They are little fellows, who depend a good deal upon the quickness of their eye and foot and the bigness of their heart. Carter is the exception.  He is a cool calculating customer, and has come under the master's stick recently for having played as if to-morrow would be quite time enough.  Carter is an able player, who has failed in international tests. Therefore the big-match temperament may be his bugbear. There is no evidence on this point; it is mere conjecture, and it will be well if the halt-backs realize right away that Carter is a truly skilled workman—a good user of the ball, a fine header, and a strong shot. At half-back we have Tom Magee—the name is sufficient guarantee of an everlasting effort. Magee, of Widnes, is a hardy little soul, built on tough lines, and just the sort of man to make this game his gala day.  The Albion half-backs and backs do not position themselves as other as sides position themselves. They have their own ideas of half-back' 'duties.  Now the Everton forwards will hays to realize this. It is a trifle upsetting at times to forwards who have framed their picture in one special cover; but at least we can say this: The Big Five—Everton's  ' forwards— are surely the most versatile the club has ever had, and are competent to change their plans to suit any whim of the opposition, whether it be the offside trap or what not. I don’t think men of the "subtle charm" of Dunn and Johnson will ever worry their head, about the Albion's change from the normal tackling propositions and positioning. The question is whether Everton’s Big Five can master the dour Albion defence.  Shaw is a splendid back, and Pearson, whose father before him kept goal for Albion, has gone through the goalkeeping curriculum with some degree of honours even if he is not a fashionable goalkeeper.  It looks to me as if Everton will have to be alive to ward off the early "snap” of the Albion, who have always lived by their dash away raids and their long passing. The Everton defence is looked to in this period, because the Albion have made no secret about their belief that they will conquer our backs, Captain Ben Williams and Cresswell. Even if we allow that, something that can only be proved by the events of to-morrow, we are still unbeaten so long as the Everton forwards can proceed 'with their collection of goals. There is no special reason, so far as I can see, why Everton's forward line should suddenly lose its confidence, its form, its combination, or its driving force near goal.  I say there is no special reason, l forgetting, of course, that cup semi-finals are proverbially full of that atmosphere that makes players leave their football boots and skill at home. The fury, furore, the 70,000 spectators, mounted police on the field, the urge to forget the word “cup "—an impossibility when you reach the last stage but one in the trek to Wembley! Yes, that it the under-lying wind in the Cup-tie baldness.  Form says Everton will win; facts suggest it, Everton supporters won’t think of anything else-until the score-sheet or their own view of the game convinces them, and all this time.  West Bromwich people are saying the same sweet things about their own side and using the same arguments! They have beaten Portsmouth and Charlton away from home; they reckon they have done their best away from home this season-the Cup-ties show this.  They consider they have something more than speed to carry them through to success; they have the right Cup-tie spirit; the fighting forces of West Brom, have always been specially fro-ward in Cup-ties; they remember beating Everton and Liverpool in Cup-ties.  The game must be a very stern, arduous affair with the flicker of luck turning the game one way or another.  Who can say Everton will not cram on another packet of goals? Who sell say that Albion cannot race Everton off their feet and make the defence suffer? Only tomorrow can tell-and you can gather your best measures of the match, if not going to the game, by taking your “Football Echo” Order it now.  If you go to the game remember that Manchester will be crowded with light-fingered gentlemen, and that if you want your breath for Sunday’s dissertation and desert, you must not leave Old Trafford for at least an hour after the last whistle has been sounded.  Take a book with you; hesitate before you leave for the murderous bottle-neck which leads to the cricket ground.  Spare an hour; you will find it is fully worth your while.  Of the other game at Leeds all I desire to state at this juncture is that Everton will be proud and happy to meet either of them.  It is a match almost impossible of weighing up, because Birmingham, while not a good side, have certainly had a rosy path to the present position, and it “looks as if it is their year.”  Why we say that no one knows; but one does get that notion in cup-ties.  Otherwise how came it that in January-the opening days-the Birmingham secretary invited me to attend Wembley dinner with his president! 
CAN EVERTON DO IT?
BY STANLEY DAVIES, 
Who has played for both Everton and West Bromwich.  The meeting between West Bromwich Albion and Everton is going to provide one of the best semi-finals since the war.  Having seen West Bromwich in every round this season, and practically all their League matches, I have no hesitation in saying they possess.  The best defence in the Second Division, and I question if there is a better in the First.  In spite of the fact that I have seen Everton’s forwards play, and they delighted me by their methods.  I cannot see them breaking down and getting through this defence.  The two different styles of the clubs concerned is bound to make the match one of the most open semi-Finals since the war.  Albion forwards are not as good (collectively) as the Everton forwards:  individually. I believe they are.  Albion, by reason of their fast open play will, I think, prove the most dangerous side all through the game.  I do not say they will be good enough to penetrate the Everton defence, and I think another meeting will be necessary to give us any indication to who will figure at Wembley.  On Saturday both teams will be playing a sort of safety-first game; at the same time the least slip will prove fatal to either side.  Everton have more experience but Albion hays youth in all departments, and can play for two hours without fooling the strain.  Having played with both clubs all I can do is to wish them both luck and may the better team win, and the spectators enjoy the good game I expect it to be.    

CRITCHLEY WILL PLAY!   
Liverpool Echo - Friday 13 March 1931
DEFINITE NEWS FOR EVERTON FOLLOWERS 
All through the week Critchley has fought a game fight with a limb which would not respond to radial massage or any other treatment.  Thus a little "star” is, perforce, left out of the team, and the disappointment is acute both to the player, the club, and all Everton supporters.  The announcement of the full team has not yet been made, but it is definite that Wilkinson will take the outside-right position. He is a live, little winger who has speed and who has done well on the four occasions he has appeared in the senior eleven.  “Monty " is a great favourite at Goodison, and most folk realise that his presence means the inclusion of a genuine trier.  The probable team will thus he   Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee, Thomson; Wilkinson, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, and Stein. 
EVERTON RES V STOKE
At the Everton v. Stoke Res game, at Goodison, tomorrow, the Cup-tie scores will be shown at intervals.  Team; Sagar; Common, Cook; Griffiths, White, Powers; Britton, Martin, Davies (an “A” teamer), Webster, and Leyfield.

EVERTON'S BID TO REACH WEMBLEY
March 14 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
The old Trafford Due!
By John Peel.
Cup football is full of pitfalls, and while a good measure of confidence is an essential tonic in the endeavours to secure victory, I have seen too many upsets in "form" during a long experience of football to adopt the attitude that anything is "certain" in a Football Association Cup-tie. Clubs who reach the penultimate stage have an even chance, and those super-optimists, who have talked freely of an Everton "walk-over" should pause to remember Fallow-field, and the Crystal Palace, and in more recent times, where a Merseyside club figured in one of the many surprises in Cup semi-finals. In 1914 Aston Villa and Liverpool met at White Hart Lane, the tie was looked upon by the football world (outside Merseyside, of course) as a "grit" for Aston Villa, but Liverpool shattered that dream. Nichol's smashing shots rounding off a very clever performance on the part of Liverpool. It is well to bear in mind there are many other cases of favourities crashing when least expected, and so today we should approach the tie at Old Trafford, in a same spirit. Everton are undoubtedly faced with a difficult task. There is no certainty about what will happened. I know the players do not underestimate the formidable task set them. That is the proper attitude.
Which way will the luck turn?
Luck plays a big part in these games, a mistake or an injury to a player might turn the whole course of a game and shatter all forecasts. Having ventilated this aspect of Cup warfare and the danger of "counting chickens" one must say that Everton at their best are a very powerful side, and will require a tremendous lot of beating providing the players escape injury, and I expect the men to make a bold bid to reach the final once more. They must be encouraged by the knowledge that they have beaten the Albion on three previous occasions in Cup-ties, while this season Everton have prevailed in the two League matches, in each case after being in arrears at the interval. These facts must make for a certain degree of confidence, and the general record of the team is such that a victory today would crown a great season. Prolific scorers, the forwards are the main hope of attaining the desired success, and it is a pity that Critchley will be unable to take his place. Still Wilkinson will make an able substitute, for he is a dashing player who knows how to cut in at the right time. The half-backs are a workmanlike trio, and the backs are experienced and reliable players.
Albion's Trust .
The Albion has the reputation of being a terrier like and trustful set of players, who never know when they are beaten. Their defence is one of the best in the game, while their left wingers will require a deal of watching. It should be a great game with little between them, but I think Everton will have sufficient reserve power to turn the scale. The teams are expected to line up as follows, kick-off at 3- Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee, Thomson, Wilkinson, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein. West Brom; Pearson; Shaw, Tretham; Mageee, W. Richardson, Edwards, Glidden, Carter, WG Richardson, Sandford, Wood.

CROWDS INVADE PLAYING PITCH
March 14 th 1931. Evening Express.
Many People reported unjured.
Dash to the Stands.
Amazing scenes were witness at Old Trafford, Manchester, today, at the F.A. Cup semi-final between Everton and West Bromwich Albion. Crowds rushed the gates and thousands swept over the playing pitch, the police being unable to stem the tide. More than 200 people, including Woman and boys, are reported injured. Three quarters of an hour before the kick off the ground was packed and most of the entrances had been closed, although thousands had assembled outside.
Police fail to stem rush
At Manchester. Today. The scene reminded one of the memorable opening Cup Final at Wembley, when the crowd opened the gates. Three quarters of an hour before the kick off the ground was packed. Many gates were closed and the people stayed on the banks like corn in a field. People were crushed and had to be carried to the touch line, where an number of ambulance men and police did their best to attend to them. An uninjured people commenced to push the rails and take up places on the edge of the playing pitch. Mounted policemen and foot policemen tried to help them, but no sooner did they rush at a point than the people were over another. At 2-20 the inevitable happened, the crowd on the far side of the ground push over the rails in thousands, the cordon of police, and dashed to the ground at a wild pace to the area. Police on the stand side of the ground were ready to meet the charge, and conceded to some extent in holding up the good tide of humanity.
Extra police called.
Some people, however, scrambled into the stands. Van loads of extra police rushed to the ground, and they many strenuous efforts to push the spectators off the playing pitch.
Yards from the touch line.
Many hung about inside the railings, to the efforts of the police could remove them. It was impossible, for in the time spectators had filled up the it places, so we were to have this line with spectators a yard from the touch line all sides except that of the main stands.

EVERTON’S ATTEMPT TO REACH THE F.A. CUP FINAL VERSUS WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Liverpool Echo- Saturday, March 14, 1931
THE MATCH AT MANCHESTER
SCENES AND SCREAMS AT THE OLD TRAFFORD GROUND IN THE LAST-BUT-ONE-STAGE
COSTLY EVERTON SIDE TACKLES ALL-ENGLISH WARRIORS FROM WEST BROMWICH
BEE’S STORY OF THE GOALLESS FIRST HALF
This is final, as the debt collector says. In short, the winners of this tie at Old Trafford take a Royal hand shake from the King on April 25, at Wembley. Everton and West Bromwich Albion, each in its own time, and long ago, a winner of the trophy, gathered at Manchester’s stadium today to do battle for the honour of Merseyside and the Midlands.  The Everton team left by a back door, as it were, so that they could escape the adulation of the enthusiastic spectators.  It was a very wise arrangement, and it was, I imagine, quite fitting that Mr. O.  R. Griffith, of the Cheshire Lines, himself a former Everton goalkeeper, should have taken this wise step.  Everton brought load after load of supporters, all with signs and portents, and pictures and promises, and all agog with such slogans as "Give it to Dixie!" and "Give them Toffee!" 
AT THE BOTTLE-NECK 
Southport F.C. sent a telegram, but this was only a portion of the good wishes sent to all the players and to the chairman, Mr. W. C. Cuff.  Everton brought their wives and relations with them in four special saloons, and the sight from the back of the charabanc when we landed at the bottle-neck entrance of the Old Trafford ground eclipsed anything I have seen at- this ground since it was opened by the Liverpool Football Club.  Everton were bailed and hoisted with favours at every turn, but West Bromwich Albion came in like young lambs.  Hardy, the former Everton goalkeeper, had a day off so that he could see his former comrades.  Tom Magee, of Widnes, and the veteran member of the Albion side, conveyed his good wishes to the Everton boys, and said, "We just hope the better side wins. That's all anyone can want.”  The extent of the crowd can be gauged by the fact that at Central Station three additional special excursions were put on. At 2 o'clock the scene outside the ground was one succession of hustling, busting queues.  The amazing scenes when the crowd broke in three-quarters of an hour before the start if the game, and extra mounted police had to be called to restore order, are described on page 8.   
A GUSTY WIND
The day was FINE, the wind rather gusty and might be a bother to the side that won the toss.  Players have differing ideas about the value of the wind when it is howling. Everton like to play against the wind, as the ball "hangs!'  One missed the band that has always been here with its major domo until this season. The mechanical music was lifeless and a poor substitute.  West Bromwich did not bring a large number of people with them. Trade had in the Midlands, and the prices did not suit their purses. Old Trafford was splashed with the colour scheme, West Bromwich bearing their blue and white and Everton bearing the same colours.  However, it was unmistakable that Everton had the larger following, and in it was the man with his coloured umbrella who followed the team to Crystal Palace.  Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee, Thomson; Wilkinson, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein.  West Bromwich Albion; Pearson; Trentham, Shaw; Magre, Richardson, Edwards; Glidden, Cater, W.G. Richardson, Sandford, Wood.  Referee Mr. S. Wood, Sheffield.
West Bromwich seriously pondered whether they should introduce Raw of Hudderfield, but eventually stuck to the side that beat the Wolves.  Everton, as anticipated in my notes on Thursday morning, simply could not play Critchley, but he was present as a spectator, with Arthur Rigby on reserve. 
TEN THOUSAND TURNED AWAY
Mr. Studmarks arrived just in time for the start, and he told me there must have been 10,000 people turned away from the ground unable to get into the scene of animation.  One of Dean's numerous friends has just taken his place in the grand stand.  He also says he is certain 10,000 people are wending their way home disappointed would-be spectators.  Everton were out first, the two teams getting a good reception. The Albion followed instantly and they had an equally good reception. It was plain that the city of Manchester was going to take sides with what was believed to be the weaker vessel.
WILLIAMS WINS THE TOSS 
The toss of the coin turned in Everton's favour, and Williams took advantage of the wind and kicked toward, the town end.  Off they go, and at once Edwards determined to steal a lot of ground. He thrashes the ball towards the corner flag, Northern Union fashion, and when McClure had kicked away moderately Edwards comes back again with a dangerous centre, and when the danger is over the ball is instantly made into a draught board notion.  Dean and Stein passed and repassed, and the promise was great when the centre duly came along, but the next moment was even more enthralling.  Goalkeeper Pearson did not hold the ball securely so that he was charged off possession.  Here was a golden chance for Cup glory! Dune sensed the only Dunn sensed the only thing sensible and tried to shoot into what was virtually au uncovered goal.  The Albion defence fell back, covered their goal, and Dunn's effort was smothered out.  Everton came again, with Dean starting a confident and bold manner, yet cool a cucumber, and the England center forward let out a strong shot that was covered more by fortune of numbers than by judicious defence. 
OFFSIDE TRAPS 
Cresswell and the right-winger collided, and there threatened to be a stoppage. It was plain to me early on that the Albion going to use the offside trap at any moment. Everton’s Stewards realized this by keeping back.  A loyally centre was slipped across by Glidden, and Cresswell got some applause for artistic and sure defence in this mad-rushing early portion of play.  It had been a very hectic five minutes,  with the Albion always depending upon  their wing men, but Carter very astutely  turned the game with a series of body  swerves. Dean sent the ball up to Stein at the fraction of a second, and Stein’s centre threatened trouble, especially as  Wilkinson copied the Alec Jackson  principle of going towards centre-forward.  Dean tried hard, and even riskily, to combat the goalkeeper in possession, and the Albion full back, Trentham, hacked Dean as the pair passed by. Then Jock Thomson, from near, the corner flag, centred like a first-class outside-left. 
SIX INCHES WIDE 
Wilkinson, again from near the centre-forward position, rushed in and tried to make one crowded glorious moment and become the hero of the moment. With his head tucked into his chest Wilkinson  raced in, and, without the slightest sign  of hesitation, made a good shot—a long  shot, strong, and naturally a trifle hasty.  The ball had beaten the goalkeeper, but it travelled on and stole outside the post no more than Inches.  Coggins made one of his superb onehanded risers, by which a very fine centre from the Albion right was edged over the bar, and then we had one of the most striking Cup-tie incidents I have seen.  Dean delayed his pass to Stein with perfect judgment, and when the centre came across, the Everton leader was barely able to gather the ball as be wanted it.  There was a very definite charge  aimed at Dunn, who cleverly escaped it,  and there followed quite a good shot by  the little Scotsman, and apparently  Pearson, who had the sun in his eyes  and was wearing a cap, misjudged his  catch. He caught the ball, released it, grabbed earnestly for it, and finally scraped the ball away.
PEARSON FAULTING 
Semi-finals and finals are often the goalkeeper’s graveyard. This incident threatened to be the end of Pearson. He had saved, yet he nearly put through his own goal after saving quite easily.  Moreover, Pearson was faulting again when Wilkinson centred, and the West Bromwich goalkeeper got his body on the half turn, so that when he saved, and the ball slipped through his fingers, it threatened to travel over the line.  This was another incident in a collection of thrills, but another astounding incident in a game that was running fast and furious, yet never unfair, although very hearty and at times hefty, was the centre made by Stein, which kept very low.  Dean went on one knee and his head cracked the ball with a ferocious force.  The ball swirled from his cranium, and the longer it travelled the more certain it found a way outside the left post.  It was a brilliant header, again a bee’s whiskers from scoring a goal.   Dunn was hurt for a while in the stomach, but did not go off, and Gee made a long, winding dribble of splendid control power, hot wound up with a rather tame played shot. Johnson stood in front of the goal-posts, probably eight yards out, but his shot was of no strength and was easily grabbed by the bewildered Pearson.
COGGINS SLIPS UP 
For a time it was wholesale pressure on the hard-harassed Albion side, but there was a turn in the torrent when the Albion went away with apparently no special cause or belief in anything except an attack, and Coggins slipped up in fathering the ball, then played for supposed safety by an attempted over-arm throw like a water polo player, and the ball was thrown at an Albion forward.  This was a chance, and the first he had had from young Sandford, and Woods made a header that threatened to pass over the goalline. It was a typical Cup-tie incident, a mere throwaway, yet the danger of a goal away. The Albion were encouraged by this, and tried hard through (Glidden, who found Thomson very hard to master.  Then Williams was doing a fund of work, strong, dour, and full of pep, and the Albion left-winger, Woods, was not getting the hall put to him in a likeable or a takeable way. 
EVERTON HAD CHANCES 
Make no mistake Everton had their chance of making a goal. Their thirst for goals wanted quenching, for then one believed they would be a real force.  Magee put the ball into touch, and startled one of the mounted police horses to the point that it threatened to tread some of the onlookers into a hospital ward.  Johnson was weaving his way through very cleverly until he tried one step too far. The Albion backs were very clever in their anticipation and posting stations.  Everton should undoubtedly have taken the lead without denial when a centre from the left headed by Dean, and Wilkinson found himself racing in with another golden chance, but he merely brushed the ball wide out to the left side of the goal.  This was a rare escape in view of the fact that Pearson had once more been at fault in bad fielding tactics. Then  Williams was very cross with the Albion centre forward, Richardson, for the only  foul that had arisen so far, and when  McClure took it, Dean, quite unusual  for him, lashed out with venom, hut lie  gave considerable height to the ball so  that his goal bubble wee pricked. 
AN ALBION INNINGS 
Albion claimed that he must have been offside, and I saw Dean unmistakably  in a swift run up as the ball was  about to be played.  The Albion had an innings after Gee had made one of his unusual but secure dribbles, and Woods became a danger, whereas Johnson, rather hindered for time and space, shot outside with little strength.   Wilkinson tried to bore his way from the penalty area to beyond the goal line, and got a corner for his trouble.  While this corner was taken it was noticeable that three defenders set out to surround Dean.
ABOVE STANDARD
It was useless to point to the amount of attack that Everton had enjoyed when one was faced with a score still showing 0-0. Everton should by now have swamped their rivals, yet the football, so far, had been above any semi-final standards, where nerves generally beat the twenty-two players. Albion were just their own rugged selves, plucky, insistent, but having not one tithe of the chances Everton had let go by.  Working on a mud patch, Wilkinson could not get a corner kick to the goal.  Dunn tried a half-hook that Pearson caught, after which Cresswell complained of a free kick against him when he had misjudged the bump of the ball and reckoned it had struck his chest.  Everton's left wing started to over-dribble, but when the ball was taken away, Albion offered little forward notions.  Gee got a special cheer, and Dean, after seeming to handle the ball, passed across to Wilkinson, who was given offside. It was rather strange that Stein should be so little in evidence, whereas the Albion left wing was their only factor.
A DEAN BACKNEADER 
Stein now took the law into his own and tried a low shot that Pearson picked up with some degree of confidence.  Apparently he had now recovered his nerve.  Thomson was a trifle more steady than McClure, and it was the Scottish left-wingman who lobbed the ball high and true towards goal, so that Dean could for the first time in this match produce one of his famous back-headers.  The ball was hurried by this process just outside the right-hand corner. This was an escape after excellent football.  Woods trapped the hall and scurried on to centre in a telling manner. He was alone in his ability, his co-forwards being very readily held. Stein got a corner kick across with good judgment, but McClure's impetuosity cost him a free-kick.  Just on half-time a free kick for a foul on Gee gave Creswell a chance to show his placing power. He lobbed the ball up and the goal threat was there once more, Johnson and Dean rushing in pall melt on the goalkeeper.  Yet the interval came without a goal.  Half-time:  Everton 0, West Bromwich Albion 0.
FIRST HALF COMMENTS 
This game should have been won in the first twenty minutes.  Everton had chances to gallop away to Wembley with all the King's horses and all the King's men.  This is the third time this season these teams have met and Everton have been unable to score a goal in any of the first halves.  It had been quite a capital game,  so hard and fair, and really it did not  allow any special comment if one  excepted the fact that territorially  Everton had taken the Manchester mud  as their own, and that this half-time  could have—should have—been 3, 4 or even 5 as Everton's lead.  Everton all through the season have “won by waiting," but here the position was rather absurd. They had been standing in front of the “glory hole “half a dozen times, without exaggeration.
SPECTATORS STRETCH 
During the interval the people around the touchline stretched themselves by standing, and once again the pitch had people walking upon it, but there was no danger of any inrush.  In fact, an officious officer of the law adopted a measure of folly with an ambulance man because, forsooth, the ambulance man dared to take a short cut across the ground with a spectator who was in distress.  All through the first half there was a steady procession of ambulance cases, broken arms and the like.  The Albion had been very disappointing in their attacks. Speed availed them nothing. They were not taking the ball with them.  Carter was quite below his general form: and while W. Richardson played a useful game of centre forward, he had to depend upon the two strong backs, Shaw and Trentham, to hold off what should have been an Everton avalanche. 
PEARSON RECOVERS 
Pearson, in the Albion goal, had made sufficient mistake to lose any Cup-tie, and, blessed be the goalkeeper, he escaped with the lot. However, he seemed to be getting his nerve back as the game wore on, and the fates were kind to him.
A MIDLANDS FINAL
EVERTON GLIDE OUT OF THE CUP WITH FIRST DEFEAT THIS YEAR
GLIDDEN SCORE’S A FREAK GOAL
WEST BROMWICH ALBION THE FIRST TO HOLD EVERTON’S SCORING MACHINE
The second hart started about four o’clock, and Everton realized that, though the sun had gone down a bit, the wind was still a factor.  The second half started with a free-kick against Dean, who misjudged the distance and kicked across Shaw. Woods again took up the Albion message, and a first-class centre was taken in hand by Williams.  It was unmistakable at this point that the Albion were rejuvenated, and were now using their pace with some effect.  Trentham made his drat mistake of the day, but there was no trouble from it.  Thomson was very clever in tapping the ball forward, and though there were loud cries of penalty when Dean pitched headlong in the penalty area, there was never any doubt that there was no offence. 
A BATTLE OF WORDS 
Later on, Dean and the referee had a battle of words about Dean’s use of the outstretched foot when Shaw was kicking clear. Dean tried to intercept the ball, but actually his play constituted dangerous play, Dean argued the matter for some time until pulled away by an Albion player.  There was plenty of fire in the game, and when Williams and W. G.  Riehardson shook hands you got the right idea of the sporting nature at the same Magee was hurt for a while, and Cresswell and Williams in turn were invaluable at a moment when the Albion were enjoying more of the play than at any previous point of the game.  Everton were unmistakably feeding Stein more than the right wing this half, but in ten minutes a goal came from nowhere.
A GLIDDEN GOAL 
Glidden was the scorer, and the Albion captain jumped in the air for joy as he found the ball steal into goal, when very few on the ground could have imagined it possible for the ball to enter the net.  Glidden was surrounded by his companions, and Everton were plainly shocked that, at the first time they had been any danger of a goal this half, a header should find its billet.   Glidden headed the ball, and as he did so he could have had little hope of making this all impotent lead.  To begin with, he was far out from goal, and it looked as though the ball was sure to pass out. The Everton  backs, in fact, let the ball travel on,  believing there was no need to attend to  the matter; but the ball must have got  caught in an air pocket, because it  swung inward, and Coggins,  attempting  to field the ball, merely swept his hand  round it, and the ball went on its way  into the extreme left-hand corner of the  goal.
A STUNNING BLOW 
This was a stunning blow to Everton, who had had many chances and frittered them away, and now here was a freak goal that threatened to upset their even way and a goal that had given Albion the encouragement they required.  Everton, in fact, were now struggling, and McClure in the excitement of the moment miskicked. Wilkinson blossomed into a run or two, but it seemed that Everton were lacking confidence, so that it was wise when Williams became a half-back and began to inspire everyone with rousing Cup-tie methods.  Dean went close to converting one of these in a mad rush, and Shaw, the Albion full back, seeing the danger was growing, called to all his forces to come to his aid.  The Everton forwards had not played within 50 per cent, of their “Big Five “game. Thomson helped to make a storm raid, but Pearson was now having such a joyous time that he was walking out of his goal ten yards and surveying the promised Webley land.  Cresswell passed back hard to Coggins, whose attempt to pass forward was not successful. Then Dean made one of his perfect hook passes, and Stein thought it time to give Pearson a chance to show his handiwork. Stein ran the ball almost too far up. Yet he was able to get in an angular shot, and Pearson now made a very deft catch. 
THE GAME STOPPED 
Offside against the Albion centre- forward led to the crowd breaking in at the radio corner and a number of handkerchiefs were waved as a token that a number of people were crushed.  This led to the game being stopped for three minutes, Williams thus getting cold and unable to make his proper spot kick.  Johnson and Dunn now rolled up their sleeves, and Glidden became a timekeeper, so that he could advise his comrades how much longer the battle could go.  Everton, after a surfeit of chances in the first half, now found the way closed to them. The Albion were not playing better than in the first half, but they were unmistakably the more confident side, and knew the value of a goal lead.  Dean headed towards Wilkinson, whose close-in shot had neither strength nor direction.  Once more a league leadership threatened to be fatal to Cup desire the battle now became fierce, and there were injuries. Dean was restless in his rushing, but he unmistakably handled the ball as he upset goalkeeper Pearson.
NOT NOTICED 
Play went on, the referee had cot noticed this offence. The ball travelled to the right wing, where Wilkinson was crowded out by numbers. Shaw was damaged in the melee, and was cheered on his resumption, but here and there Everton players lost their balance and their peace of mind at the same time, so that they gave away foolish free kicks that could not help their cause.  Everton made strenuous appeals for a penalty when Wilkinson was bowled ever. The referee would have none of it.  Now Coggins made a superlative save from Richardson when the issue of the game seemed likely to put out of all further consideration.  Stein was especially strong, and Carter now did splendid individualistic work.  The mounted police were in the way of Stein when taking a corner kick, and for sheer stubbornness and foolishness the police here took all the laurels.  The Albion were fighting like terriers, and Richardson now made the best shot  of the day, and Coggins by tackling him,  gained high marks. 
COUNTERBALANCED
Coggins did make a mistake over the goal that had been scored, by these two saves he had done more than enough to counterbalance them, because he now handed out in brilliant fashion when Glidden attempted to make No. 2.  Ten minutes to go, and just a hope but lumps of fear. Glidden told his men that there were very few momenta left.  Meantime Wilkinson centred far too strong, and in the same corner Dunn was let down for a free kick taken by Wilkinson, which was easily accounted for.  Stein took the ball after McClure had gone well with head and foot. Generally speaking he is a deadly shot, but here he screwed the all just sufficient to result in it swerving too far to enter the net.
HEROIC WILLIAMS 
That Williams, the full-back, made the most heroic individual effort of the day. Four minutes to go, Williams dribbled his way through the well-packed  ranks and threatened to make a  historic goal with a score from a fullback,  but the Albion hacks and their  half-backs had never faltered in their  belief that one goal was ample in this game, and all they needed was a first-class  packing case.  West Bromwich Albion have that, and more they have first-class halves, and time wore itself out to the joy of the Albion crowd and to the distress of the Everton crowd.  This was the first time in the whole of this season that Everson had failed to score.  Albion were decent enough not to kick out. That is to their everlasting credit, because they had borne down the famous Everton side, who were now losing their first game this year.
THE FINALE 
The final whistle sounded. The crowd invaded the field without interference and without fault.  All honour to the winners. Everton had the chances to win the game in the first half, when the fates were kind enough to give them the benefit, of the wind, the benefit of the nervous Albion goalkeeper, and, one might almost say, wholesale chances of scoring.  It was another Spring double gone west, and West Bromwich Albion afterwards said, "It was very hard and it was very painful for Everton, perhaps, but we have now got our recompense for a league defeat at the Hawthorns, which we considered was the result of an unjust decision on the part of the referee."  Seen after the game Glidden, who had had a rather nasty jar, was naturally very happy over his successful mission, especially as he got the goal that carried the game and assured a picturesque final that many people imagined could not possibly be, judging all the form that has passed through the season’s sieve.  But the Cup is no respecter of persons, and it was the general opinion that Everton had themselves to blame for not making this game secure in the first half hour. The goals were there for the asking and for the taking, and  they were ruthlessly kicked away by  over-anxious players.  Final; West Bromwich Albion 1, Everton 0.  Receipts 7,629. Attendances 69,241.
TAKEN IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT 
EVERTON PASS OUT AND THE DOUBLE BUBBLE IS BURST 
Everton had a spot of trouble to-day.  They met with their first defeat this year. There has not even been a draw in this good New Year resolution, but once again the supposed favourites have been laid to rest, and once again the suggestion of a League and Cup double has been burst.  Everton take their defeat in a sporting manner. They have served out so many defeats to other sides this season that it would be churlish if they took it otherwise. They wish Albion every success in the final issue.  No tears, by request. Everton have had a wonderful run, and are not squealing. 

AS THE CLOCK TICKED
Liverpool Echo-Saturday, March 14, 1931
EVERTON V. WEST BROMWICH 
10.30 a.m.—Everton supporter welshes, dresses, rushes up, and dons his blue. 
12.30.—Central. Exchange and Lime-street Stations go blue. 
12.45.—Excursions leave Central, looking like “fish specials." 
2.0.—the crowd holds “away." 
2.5.—Manchester and Liverpool agree (for once). The Cup semi-final will be worth seeing. 
2.20.—Crowds break in at a goal end.  A mounted policeman and Everton's boy mascot in the mix-up.  2.25.—The crowd sweep over the ground, and with difficulty are marshalled into some semblance of order. 
2.30.—Three mounted police are as sand in the desert. 
2.45.—Casualties ad lib. 
2.53.—Two tremendous cheers and a toss recorded by a battery of cameras. 
3.0.—They are off. Richardson taps the ball and then bang, biff, and the Wembley struggle has begun again. 
3.2.—Pearson misfields the ball, and Dunn screws the ball to an Albion defender. 
3.4 —Dean hits the ball hard against defenders after moving the ball to his liking. 
3.5.—A big "Oh!" when Woods centred across the face of the goal. 
3.6.—Cresswell stops Glidden in icicle fashion. 
3.6.—A double-shuffle pass from Dean to Stein. Dunn headed the centre, but not with much force.  3.7.—Wilkinson hits a first-time left-foot shot.  The ball gathers splinters from an upright. 
3.8.—Williams' slide tackle saves a goal.
3.10.--Coggins gets up just in time to push a header over the bar—it surprise packet. 
3.11.—'Whew!" Dunn gets great pace on the ball, and Pearson could not grip it. The ball trickled down the post, but not over the line. What an escape! 
3.15.—lnches is the margin which separates Dean and a goal. A grand header to the left, but again just wide Glidden hurt a second time. 
3.16.—Pearson slipped another cable.  Wilkinson centred, and nerves again caused the goalkeeper to drop the ball. 
3.20.—Coggins, in throwing away, cannons the ball on to an Albion forward.  Woods, cutting in, heads just wide, while Coggins appeals for a handling offence. 
3.25.—Another escape for Pearson.  Another fumble from a Dean header which gave Wilkinson a chance which he flashed wide. 
3.26.—The battle rages not quite so sternly. 
3.27.—Williams fouled and threatens Richardson. Dean makes a hit or miss effort: and misses! 
3.28.—Actual score 0-0; Everton should have lead 3-0. 
3.30.—Williams and Cresswell cool, reliable and admirable. Everton unreliable  finishers. 
3.3l.—Wilkinson says "by your leave” to a polite horse so that he can take a corner.
3.40.--Gee makes a splendid dribble, but there is too much of that “Why did you do that?" attitude about Everton’s attack. 
3.43.—Dean's best back-header shared the hard luck “finish. 
3.44.—The referee and Dean and others in a "talkie." 
3.45.-0-0. 
3.55.—on with the dance. 
3.57.—Fouls become the order for a spell. Woods—a danger point all through—is troublesome.  3.58.—An appeal for a penalty when Dean fell in the penalty area. 
4.0.—Dean booed. Richardson, his “martyr." pulled him away from the referee in order to save trouble. Dean had kicked viciously. 
4.3.—Glidden fires in a warm low shot. 
4.4.—Albion score. Glidden gets it-with his head. He centres with his head, and Coggins misjudges the bounce of the ball, which curls in underneath the angle. 
4 5.—West Bromwich Observatory notes the shock! 
4.9.—Albion up in the cloud and playing fine, free football. 
4.12- Everton inspired by Ben Williams, who goes “up." 
4.15.—Coggins purposely made a short goal kick, but Richardson (W. G.) collects the ball 
4.17.—The best pass of the match by Dean gives Stein a chance to centre so accurately that Pearson caught his centre on the line. 
4.18 —Game stopped while the crowd is pushed back from the pitch at a corner.  This 71,000 crowd nearly lifted Old Trafford to Chorlton-cum-Hardy. 
4.20.—Wilkinson finishes weakly Everton still plugging away, but by short passing. 
4.22.—Richardson (J.) heading well against Dean. 
4.23.—Dean gets through, thanks to a flagrant handling offence. Wilkinson takes his centre, but shoots against a  defender. 
4.25- Shaw hurt. Everton's chances slipping away minute by minute. 
4.26.—Spirit and “fire very evident.
 4.27.—A great save by Coggins from Richardson. 
4.28.--Carter makes a great run.  Creswell disputes a linesman’s decision, and rightly. The ball had not gone out of play. 
4.30.—Everton, still plugging at it, but it looks as though it is merely a matter of time now. Williams goes up to make a brilliant, inspired dribble and offer a chance which was crowded out. 
4.35.—The pace telling its tale, and Everton hoping against hope. 
4.37 —I have seen Everton beaten twice this season, and it looks as though I am their bogey. Port Vale have beaten them, and this is what is happening to-day. 
4.38.—Waiting for the big shout. Everton have not failed to score in any game prior to to-day. But why bring that up now? 
90 mine.—Albion I. Everton 0. Exit Everton. 70,000, the Spring Double, and “Buzz."  The crowd swarms over the pitch. For them that some consolation in that they had a weight of football matter off their minds and someone else off their corns.

A STRRING CUP FINAL TIE MEMORY
Liverpool Echo Saturday, March 14, 1961
JACK TAYLOR AND SANY YOUNG SHAKE HAND OVER OUR LONE WIN IN THE CUP FINAL
Here is another picture.  It shows Jack Taylor, the Everton captain of 1906 shaking hands with the scorer of the only goal registered in the meeting of Everton and Newcastle United at Crystal Palace in 1906.  This is the only time the City of Liverpool has ever won a cup final.  The photograph was taken at Rice-lane, at a director’s house.  Taylor is still alive and in our amidst –a regular visitor to the Everton ground what time his boy is playing Rugby-a convert!
Sandy Young, after much travel and travail-he played for South Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City in his time, and then went to Australia, is still in Scotland.  Jock McDonald, of New Brighton, travelled to Scotland a little time ago and talked of football.  A man in the carriage claimed he knew something about football.  He was Sandy Young.  McDonald said “I won’t believe it unless you take off your hat.”  It was Sandy.  His lack of hair proved it. 

EVERTON IN THE DOCK!
Liverpool Echo-Saturday, March 14, 1931
“SPECIAL –FOR FISH AND FOOTBALLERS ONLY!”
Everton F.C., had an arrangement with the Cheshire Lines official, Mr. O.R. Griffiths that they should as far as possible escape the crush of the people who wanted to pat them on the back, wish them luck, and in general unsettle them for their adulation.  So a wheeze was introduced.  In a word, they unlocked the dock.  There is on Platform 5 of the Central Station a private affair, for the fish trains.  It has never been used for any other purpose than the fish trains- Until this day –when Everton added their quorum.  Today the Fish Dock-that is the official term for it-was opened “to Fish and Footballers only.” Let us hope there is no fluke about this Cup-tie.  It would be easy to plaice the responsibility on “Bee”-and no cod!
CUP KUDOS
Everton, who had no replays in their Cup career up to the sixth round, strand third in average “gate” and next to Southport, lowest in cash receipts, of the eight clubs concerned in that round. 

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo- Saturday, March 14 1931
By Louis T. Kelly
Everton have only failed to score in two matches “after” half-time this season, but have gone goalless (like Liverpool) eleven times prior to half-time
Coggins’ sobriquet with his Everton comrades is “Sailor” Whether this is due to his proximity to the nets or to the double-decker at Goodison one cannot quite say
For the first time since joining Everton Johnson got a goal “on the nod” last week.
Our old friend Billy Lacey, now arrived at the fair, fat, and forty stage, figured in a new role on Saturday
He appeared in goal for Dublin Shelbourne!
In each of their previous three Cup-ties meetings with the Albion-1893, 1906, and 1907-Everton have gone through to the final
It is an unusual thing for a player to leave a club and then return to it, but Jack Bell, Bert Sharp, and Wilfred Toman in their day all left Everton only to return after service elsewhere.
Everton’s first semi-final experience was in 1893, when they defeated the then famous Preston eleven at Blackburn after two drawn games- struggles the writer had the pleasure of watching
That was at Ewood Park soon after the club had vacated the old Leamington-street enclosure.
The Everton side were watched by their “better halves” at Old Trafford today-or at least eight of them were.
Hope the homecoming is not akin to the fallowfield disappointment of 93, when a goal to the Wolves put the cat amongst the pigeons, as it were.
Everton alone of the clubs to reach the last four had never crossed over in arrears.
In reply, John Cameron joined Everton in the nineties from Queen’s Park as an amateur, but subsequently turned pro.  Later he joined the Spurs as player-manager and helped them to win the Cup in 1901
Originally a centre forward, he moved to inside right, and did for the London club much that Seed has in recent years accomplished for Sheffield Wednesday.
J. Sharp’s first cap for England was in 1903 v. Ireland at inside right, not his usual position on the outside. 
Apropos Everton’s recent run of fourteen successive wins it is interesting to note that in their first season in the League Liverpool won all fourteen home matches-a wonderful achievement
‘Twas curious that Everton’s nearest rivals for promotion should be the club that Mr. Tom McIntosh was said to be joining last summer. 
Everton’s Cup-ties have averaged attendances of nearly 50,000
Everton were Lancashire’s solo hope for honours today, both in Cup and League

AMAZING CUP SEMI-FINAL SCENES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 14 March 1931
CROWD BREAKS IN AT OLD TRAFFORD
PLAYING PITCH INVADED
MOUNTED POLICE DEFIED
STANDS RUSHED
PANDEMONIUM RESIGNES FOR A TIME
THOUSANDS TURNED AWAY 
Amazing scenes were witnessed, today, at the semi-final between Everton and West Bromwich Albion, on Manchester United’s ground, at Old Trafford.  Three-quarters of an hour before the start of the game the crowd broke the barriers at the more congested part of the ground and raced across the playing pitch. Mounted police were powerless to deal with them, and for a time pandemonium reigned.  Gradually order was regained, and people in the stands throw down newspapers for the crowd round the touch line to sit on.  At least 10,000 were unable to get into, the ground.  The Everton officials thought it best that the team should escape the eager crowd, so after lunch they were brought to Liverpool Central Station by a back route. The special saloon was backed on to  the train just before it left, but  there use a minute or two in which  the crowd could cheer the team,  and cheer they did. 
CROWD OUT OF HAND 
OLD TRAFFORD, Saturday. 
The scenes at this ground to-day eclipsed everything I have seen here since it was opened by Liverpool F.C.  (Writes “Bee ").  About three-quarters of an hour before the start the crowd got out of hand.  There had been a dozen ambulance cases on the popular side of the ground, the shilling portion, and many of those who were in the crush wished they could get out-even out of the ground. 
TERRIBLE STRUGGLE 
It was a terrible struggle, and when some people broke the barriers, follow my leader was the order, and thousands creased the ground and the playing pitch, cutting it up, with the result that there was pandemonium.  For a time it was Wembley at its opening meeting. There was no famous grey mare this time, and one wished there had been the Liverpool mounted police here, because of their ability to deal with such a scene.  There were only four mounted police, and although they charged into the crowd to attempt to stem their entrance to the grand stand portion, they were only partially successful, and extra police had to be brought out to endeavour to cajole the spectators into their proper portion of the stand. 
UGLY SITUATION 
This was an almost impossible task, because already hundreds who had ran across the field had got into the portion, known as the paddock. However, the paddock had numbered and reserved seats, and in due course someone was bound to be hoisted out of a very comfortable seat.  It was an ugly situation, and once more demonstrated the difficulty of football clubs to house a semi-final. It would seem that we want another Wembley in the provinces with accommodation for 90,000.  At Old Trafford they accommodate the grandstand people satisfactorily, but the shilling portion has a free and easy access if any misguided individual starts them on the run to superior place.  Half-an-hour from the start extra mounted police were brought in, but they were half-an-hour too late! 
POLICE BOOED 
However, they looked very impressive, and they chased up to the corner-flag, which was now something of a morass. Instantly there was an outburst of indignation because one mounted policeman took charge of the spectators near the goal sail drove into the spectators willy-nilly, being booed for his conduct.  By degrees there was some semblance of order inside the ground, and the inroads made upon the playing pitch showed that the going was softest, and in one part near the players' entrance it had a small layer of water.  As time wore on men were taken out with various injuries, and there were numerous fainting cases.  Everyone in the stands who had brought a newspaper with him now threw it up in the air and the papers floated down the touchline and were used by the men, women and boys who had encroached on to the touchline.  The ticket holders took a long time to get to their places owing to the block in the main entrance, but the crowd settled them-selves in a composed manner, and any threat that the game would be stopped or interrupted faded away. When the doors were closed at least 10,000 people were turned away. 
"NEXT STOP WEMBLEY" 
There mint have been 10,000 blue-labelled, roaring, hectic Cup-tie enthusiasts, who crowded the many special  trains which pulled out of Liverpool's  stations about noon to-day for  Manchester.  At Exchange, Lime-street, and Central  Station it was just the same-blue-mottled crowds with their blue berets, blue "toppers." blue rosettes quite a foot  in diameter, blue diameters, and not a  few in blue-striped trousers, to say  nothing of one or two blue-striped coats  and a score of blue and white umbrellas.  As the trains slowly pulled away from  the platforms figures with " blue  rampant " would poke excited faces  through the window and yell," Everton  forever. First stop Manchester. Next ‘stop Wembley!"  France might have its "Blue Train."  So did Lancashire to-day. 
FLEET OF CHARABANCS 
As early as eleven o'clock there was plenty of blue at Central Station-enthusiasts from Wales and business men who could afford to take a day off from the office to travel in comfort before the “specials “pulled out the Stations.  As noon approached the crowds became thicker and thicker at all the stations. There were crowds, too, in St. John's-lane for the great squadron of charabance going to Manchester. Each charalane vied with the other as regards its blue decorations.  If there is going to be an award for the first person who led the Everton supporters’ trek to Manchester, it will be as difficult a task finding him (or her) as selecting the winning ticket in a Grand National sweepstake.  For instance, had you been on the Prescot-road as early as 8.30 a.m., the outlook was most blue. You would  have seen a blue tide rolling towards  you—when your eye had got over the  first shock and you had decided it was  not " liver "  You would live seen that it was Just  a party of cyclists bound for Manchester  to add their shouts to the hundreds that  would follow them later by train,  charabanc, bus, private motor-car, and  motor-cycle.   Lorry drivers along the road had never  been so popular. Nearly every lorry  had one or two " blue jumpers " aboard,  and there was a little knot of men in caps and mufflers, flaunting blue, along  the Present-road past Old Swan waiting  for the next kind lorry-driver who would  grant them a lift. He would have been a hard-hearted driver who could have refused.

EVERTON RES V STOKE RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 14 March 1931
Although Webster opened Everton’s score after eighteen minutes, following a centre from Britton.  Stoke throughout the first half had proved a very convincing side.  Wilson led their line cleverly, and was responsible for two shots that were just a shade out, whilst McDaid missed an absolute gift, and Sagar saved smartly from Hales.  A shot from Britton was brilliantly saved, and the clearing of a header from Webster and an overhead kick from Davies provided the City ‘keeper’s most difficult work of the half.  Half-time; Everton 1, stoke City 0. 

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 EVERTON 0
March 16 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Chances that were too easy
How Everton hopes were shattered
Glidden's header deceives defence.
By "Bee."
Everton bade good-bye to the English Cup on Saturday, and disappointed the majority of the 70,000 spectators who came from far and near to see the side, known as the "scoring machine." A cog had gone loose at Old Trafford. Everton were not themselves, and Glidden got the only goal of the day to take his side to the final tie at Wembley on April 25 th . It was a bitter blow and the manner of its making was the more galling to the thousands of people from Liverpool, who knew this was not the real Everton, but a harried hurrying almost too-confident Everton, who had enjoyed so much attack in the first half, that they felt a goal would come automatically. Wherein they were all wrong. Everton have gained most of their points away from home through stemming the first half rush of their rivals. The rush was here. West Bromwich Albion raced through by means of their wing men, Everton commanded the game almost from the start. They did not fear these occasional raids, nor could anyone else, when one remembered that wood at outside left was the one forcing character of the Albion attack. Take away Wood and there is nothing left. That was the position so far as the Albion's chances of snapping a goal were concerned.
Four open goals lost.
When they broke away, they were beaten on the rousing back of Williams or the canny Cresswell. Thus everything depended upon the capacity for goals of the Everton forward line. The line had lost a link by reason of Critchley's accident. That is only a partial response to the call. "Why did Everton refuse four open goals?" Everton lost the game through ruthless careless, for hasty notions of play when the simple chances came their way. If they could not, or would not, take "gifts" in the first half then they might expect a change of front in the second half. Williams had won the toss and had taken the value of the wind. It was valuable, yet I believe some of the Everton players did not realise how strong the sun and wind were until they came to the second half, and found the true state of affairs. Really the openings of the first half were too easy; this was the tragedy of the Cup; Everton left the field beaten by a freak goal to nought. It was absurd to think of them being beaten when the first half misses were recalled. Yet in the end I made up my mind that the better side had won. This is sure to be challenged by the people who use the word "better" in a curious sense. If Everton could overpower the West Bromwich Albion half-backs for more than half an hour and stand before the goal four times with the most ridiculously easy chances against a goalkeeper who was so nervy that he nearly put the ball into his own net on two occasions –well. Everton cannot expect praise from me in their narrow defeat. One goal is sufficient in the Cup struggles.
Albion call the tune.
To be quite fair to gallant winners, let me state that in the second half, West Bromwich called the time and all the stresses and strife of the crack Everton forwards counted for nothing. They had an occasional chance to score, but generally speaking Albion took command and having weathered the first half storm, I claim that their performance in the second half stamped them as "the better side."? The goal they got was a golden one –by Glidden, the captain. It was not a pretty one; it faulted Coggins to a degree; I think he and his backs though the ball would go outside the post. Actually it was a header that bounced into the far-left corner, and Coggins at a second attempt to save, merely brushed the ball with his gloves. Where Pearson had committed every offence in this goal in the first half, Coggins had made but a half mistake and that had meant his side leaving the cup hopes behind them.
Forwards off colour.
Do not let us get the wrong out-look on this goal. It had been said that Albion to win must get 3 goals. Everton's forward line must therefore take the blame of this defeat. They were not themselves. Where they had been crack goal-getters, they were now the merest maudlin forwards in the goal area. They should have taken a four goals lead in half an hour and then Coggins part-parry would not have been considered the keynote to the day. Actually one must give high praise to the Albion defence. Shaw and Tretham even more so were brilliant backs –only superior to our own backs, because they had so much more work to do than the Everton pair. It was in the manner of their positioning that the Albion defence scored so heavily. They were astounding in their forethought and their knowledge of where the Everton forwards must make his next pass. Thus it was made to appear that Johnson was notably below his known style in making the play by wise passes. Many times he could not get his pass to the most dangerous winger on the field, Stein, whereas Albion always found a passage to Wood, who in very pleasant manner kept raiding –and centring. Dunn tried to make the close game fitting to the occasion. He was fairly successful in keeping the line from losing its sense of balance. There was in the centre a rousing man who ran into a first class centre half-back and two of the best backs the game knowns.
Dean Attempts Too Much
Dean has had his joy days; there he did many things single handedly, but I think he fan a trifle wild! He attempted too much, worked too hard argued with the referee over decisions got away with a patent handling cases that might have cost the Midlanders a goal. Dean was too keen. He blazed at goal with a devil may care manner; he headed beautify, but after the first twenty minutes when he made Everton look so onerously "on top" he had little change for his charge and his challenge. Wilkinson was naturally perturbed. He should have taken two goals early on; but he was not alone in his uncertainly. McClure for instance, was inclined to slice his asses. Gee had good command and played in his nonchalant manner against Richardson, the winners' centre-forward, who once let out a fine drive that Coggins gripped very ably. Everton had no long shot; no far range shot, if we except Dunn's endeavour that thawed up Pearson a nerve ridden state. It was the short shot that Everton threw to the winds.
Sporting play.
Galling defeat where none need have beer and where one could have been prevented must not debar the Albion their due mead of praise. Standford, a boy of eighteen, did remarkably well; Glidden was a fine leader and worker, together with stout hearts at full-back and half-backs, and Wood the most dependable forward on the field. Carter was not at his best till the second half, and then he made telling single-handed runs and was also a fine helpmate to his veteran half-back, Magee, who seems to defy all age rules. It was close, sporting, varying fluctuating, and enjoyable football to watch and Everton took their defeat in a sporting manner . Teams; - West Bromwich Albion; - Pearson, goal; Shaw and Trentham, backs; Magee, W. Richardson, and Edwards, half-backs; Glidden (captain), Carter, WG Richardson, Sandford, and Wood, forwards. Everton; - Coggins, goal; Williams (captain) and Cresswell, backs; McClure, Gee, and Thomson, half-backs; Wilkinson, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, and Stein, forwards.

EVERTON RESERVES 1 STOKE CITY 0
March 16 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Central League (Game 33)
The goal at Goodison Park came eighteen minutes from the start, Webster netting following sound wing work by Britton. The home side deserved their success, although the City attack subjected the Everton defences during the first half to some very severe gruelling spasms. That Everton did not get any more goals was due to the sound defence of Beswick, Williamson, and Dawson, and the ability of the line to counteract Stoke's offside tactics.
Everton "A" 6 St James C.Y.M.S 1
Liverpool County Combination
At Stopgate-lane. Gorry for Everton, made some clever saves. Fryer (2) and Jones scored for Everton and Caughley replied for the Saints before the interval. After the resumption Lloyd, Jones, and Cunliffe netted.

PITCHED BATTLE
Liverpool Echo-Monday, March 16 1931
FORWARD LINE PRESS AND PITCH-AND TOSS THE SEMI-FINAL AWAY
THE BETTER SIDE WON, BECAUSE-
Bee’s Notes
The battle is over. It a very interesting business, too. And to their credit Everton took their surprise defeat in a fine sporting manner. The win was there for the asking. Everton were too modest to take the sacrifices of the first thirty minutes. They outplayed Albion in this period; they stood before the goal altar, and where they had been strong they now became putty-putters.  The golfers call the short putt the “baby putt." Everton had three, four or five baby putts—the simple childlike chance. And against a goalkeeper who was plainly racked with nerves and trembling fingers.  Everton had been hailed as favourites for a reason I cannot fathom. They were favourites for the Cup, and favoured for the Cup, and with a Lancashire ground, full plenty of support, the winning of the toss, the breeze that helped them to outrun and outplay Albion for a half-hour.  They took not one of their four gilt-edged chances. What more could the Big Five desire than to stand in front of a bewildered goalkeeper?  The position was too easy.  First one man “pressed": he blazed where he should have tapped.  Next a winger who, anxious to do well because he was a deputy, smothered one ball and then shot an easy one outside.  Dunn hit a difficult shot; Pearson fluffed it.  Pearson committed every known mistake in the goalmouth—so did the Everton forwards.   By degrees it dawned upon the Albion’s youngsters that this continued ruthless pitching away of shooting chances would hurt the feelings of the Everton players. Besides, the Liverpool men had not realized even yet the full extent of the strength of the wind and sun. So that when the team turned round for the second offence it was not a surprise to find these Albion lads racing through. I go so far as to say that they were eventually the better side on the day. That will he challenged I doubt not, because we have differing notions of the word “better." Let me put it this way:  Everton beat themselves, but Albion were the better side.  The scoring of the goal has led to the most extraordinary conceptions of how it was scored. Fully nine-tenths of the critics have declared it was a lop-shot-centre.  It was nothing of the kind. It was a HEADER TO A COMRADE WHO WAS NOT THERE, as stated in the “Football Echo) " critique and report.  West Bromwich took a single chance aided by a mistaken notion of the bounce of the ball sent in by Glidden --a goalden, golden goal to the captain of the side.  I don't blame Coggins. What was one among so many throw-away chances that came to the forward line.  Fate played a hand in this game. She struck the Everton side with a thick stick to make them remember that she does not forgive those who will not take a collection of ready-made goal chances.  In the second half the transformation scene. Where the Albion backs had been almost alone in their mission they now had the serene goalkeeper Pearson.   He had recovered his nerve. They had also the improved Carter carrying much before him. Boy Sandford, aged eighteen, was always pulling his weight, but whereas Woods, the outside-left, had been Albion's only forward, he was now linked lip to four useful ones. The centre-forward, boy Richardson, shot with a fine swift action, and reckon this save by Coggins plus the edge-up he made should wash away the memory of his attempt to cuff the ball that slipped into the top corner of the goal. Coggins boxed its ears, and doing so, merely helped the high ball to the corner of the net—an awkward angular endeavour to stem the tide. Let us not deny the second half standard; it was Albion’s half, and because they took their chance, bore down the first-half attacks and shut the face of the Everton forwards, we must put them as deserved winners, and still say how hard Everton played. 
TOO STRENUOUS 
Maybe that was the secret of Everton’s failing. They tried too hard in those closing minutes. A little calm forethought and the usual formation and combination and the game could have been saved. But they were all so hot on the trail that they did not play their normal game.  Dean, for instance, did many brilliant things but eventually he was chasing half-backs down the field, doing unnecessary work, arguing, and finding the cover-up process anything but comfortable.  Albion shut the shop door and no  amount of knocking would open it.  Stan Davies's outspoken review in Friday's Notebook had been borne out to the letter; these Albion backs were masterpieces. It is easy to say that the close tip-tap notion of Everton was their undoing and, that Albion had it made easy for them by the persistence of this method of play.  I am going to say that the Albion backs (and sometimes their half-backs) in this game gave the greatest exhibition of positioning I have ever seen. They were playing to orders; they had been worn out by a storm of attack; they won through to a victory through measured steps and sharp-thinking minds that told them whet; the next Everton pass would come from end go to. That was the basis of this victory. Everton pressed when they should have stopped to get balance and a right outlook of the position. They hurried, scurried. Johnson did not get his passes to his man, and he shot feebly; they all shot feebly, and I was wishing they had made more use of Stein in the first half.  He could then have taken his shot if needs be, whereas the line plainly sensed  a fear of feeding Bunty Wilkinson, whose  task was a most difficult one, and was  spoiled for him when he shot outside  with the first chance of the match.  That memory hurt the young man. in addition, our half-hark work, while good  enough to hold up the Albion attacks for  any length of time, was not making the  use of the ball that we had come to  expect of them.  McClure sliced some of his passes, and Gee, playing in nonchalant manner, was very good, yet near goal he offered a shot as if it were a friendly fixture. Best of all on the ground was Jock Thomson, a finely developed style of play, trapping with a long leg and a wise brain and using the hall to its full worth. That was football; that is!  And behind Thomson came the sterling backs. Ben Williams was brilliant, and Cresswell was always the commander of the Albion fleet among the fleet West Brom. forwards.  I reckoned this one of Ben Williams's greatest displays—hearty, lusty, a lot of cleverness intertwined, and a fine rallying force at the closing stage. Had I been captain—absurd thought—l would have taken the whole team into the Albion defence in the last five minutes.  West Brom had packed their goal, but they might have had to pack their grip for Sheffield if the whole Everton half-back and full hack line had stormed Pearson’s weakly citadel!  Mum's the Word; Brum's the Word!  Never were there such doing in the Midlands since Villa and Albion placed a final tie. The old Small Heath club is at last on the Honours Map. And with them their all-English friends Albion; the costless team; the team that graded from amateurs—six of them played as amateurs for Albion; one alone cost money. Carter was picked up when playing on an open field with no goalposts—only coats “for the use thereof and others have been dug out of the mines.  Shaw is from Huddersfield and  Tom Magee from Widnes. They are a great plucky side and this is their first win in three semi-finals that have dragged them to Lancashire grounds— Bolton, Liverpool, and Manchester. So the side deserves a hit of luck.  To Everton, sympathies on their knock-out blow good wishes for future years:  to the winners and their co-finalists congratulations.  Talking of congratulation let me put on record a thing I have never before seen done.  At the close of the match after the  police had done their work in pompous  and awkward manner, the ambulance  men came to the front of the grand  stand, lined up for the Q.M., and  received long applause from the grand  stand.  They had well-earned this—and their rest. There had been 350 cases to attend to, and the men had gone about their difficult work in a charming manner. so that it was no surprise the  crowd booed when a half-time period  showed a police inspector ordering an  ambulance man off the field and making  him take a long detour to race the playing  pitch that had been cut up an hour  before by the invasion of men who were  being crushed to death. The ambulance men were the heroes of Saturday.  No one could cavil at the management of the tie from the Everton angle.  The arrangements of the board, their chairman, Mr. W. C. Cuff, and Mr.  Secretary McIntosh were of such a character that I have taken the liberty of writing than to say so. Everything was magic, tragic figure 0-1.  Hundreds of supporters still proud to wear their blue favours, waited at Exchanged station to welcome the Everton team when they returned defeated but by no means dishonoured.

EVERTON GO TO TOWN
Liverpool Echo - Monday 16 March 1931
‘SPURS GET EARLY GOAL LEAD
A ROUSING GAME
JOHNSON AND THOMSON INJURED
A CONTINENTAL TOUR
By bees
Everton F.C. played at the Spurs ground, Whitehart-lane , to-day, in a gale of wind and with hearts saddened by what happened at Manchester on Saturday.   The game was vital for the Spurs and Everton and Albion, and a win by Everton today would help the cause of West Bromwich club in their efforts towards promotion.  How is it that teams with double event ideas are always beaten by fate?  Everton have had offers to go touring.  They had an offer from the West Indies, but turned this down. Now they have had two from the Continent, and it is believed that one will be accepted, so that the Second Division championship celebration will, if won, be coupled with the Switzerland tour the club made when they took the First Division championship.  Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; McClure, Gee, Thomson; Wilkinson, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, and Stein.  Spurs;- Spiers; Lyons, Hodgkinson; Alford, Messer Meads; Davies, O’Callaghan, Harper, Cook, and Smallie.  Everton got a good reception, and the Spurs had great encouragement from a big crowd, unusually large.  Williams, as on Saturday, won the toss, and took the breeze as his first half helper. The Spurs opened the game with long swinging passes to their right flank. 
EXCUSES GENUINE 
Spurs would not take this lying down and Cook was delaying his shot when the crowd told him how to operate the move. Cresswell stopped the raid, and then dean went on to make a good header to Wilkinson, whose trapping was of a good character.  Smailes was a live force on the left and swift into the bargain, but he over- ran a ball that was merry. His co-winger Davies, and Hodgkinson, and Wilkinson, in turn made the ball spin outside.  Excuses for unfair direction were genuine to-day Spurs were allowed go on, although offside, and Davies' shot outside.  Poetic justice.  Coggins picked up soundly from sharp shot, and Thompson was knocked in the leg by O'Callaghan, got a free kick that was near conversion through Dean and Johnson following up. Stein's corner kick travelled outside.  In nine minutes, right from this corner, came a goal. 
ONE DOWN 
Harper scored in the left corner after McClure had completely kicked over the ball. This let n the former Sheffield and Blackburn man, and a goal from a low shot was the result.  Everton should have equalized in one minute when Dean made a pass of golden qualities to Johnson, but the latter preferred to dribble and got smothered out.  Dunn made a bonny shot—a surprise effort—and top Spiers had to lie down to ground catch the fleeting ball.  Everton got applause for some sound passing, which was closed out, when Johnson was a shade too slow. Everton now enjoyed a lot of pressure, and Wilkinson, going out of position in fiery manner, went near to a goal. 
CONVINCING FOOTBALL 
It was clean, courageous, and convincing. At a second effort Spurs should have scored with ease, as Harper was clean through when no one but Coggins was against him. He clogged the ball which time Coggins and Cresswell kicked away.  Spiers caught a Stein centre, and McClure Shone in individual efforts.  Harper, offside, shot outrageously.  O'Callaghan moved off cleverly, and Thomsen, with a sharp tackle, took command of the situation. Dean had his quiet moments through the safe defence opposed to him. But all the defences were good, and Coggins now stopped Harper close in to goal with an outstretched leg—a gallant save.  Gee played like a seasoned veteran, and Smeiles showed much pace, the ball being sent over to the right, where Thomson caught the shot and got a pretty severe knock on the leg as well. 
JOHNSON AND THOMSON INJURED 
After Stein had also gone close with a header Johnson went off with a slight injury, and Thomson was now limping through the game. Johnson returned, and was showing a bleeding leg.  Half-time; Tottenham Hotspur 1, Everton 0. 

WHY EVERTON FAILED TO REACH CUP FINAL
March 16 th 1931. Evening Express
Attack fails in front of goal; Albions great defence.
By the Pilot.
"We are disappointed because we are out of the Cup; we congratulate West Bromwich Albion and hope they will win it. Our boys failed today, but that is not everything. They have brought to us the greatest honours that any team could bring to the club in the history of football." These words of Mr. W.C. Cuff, at the Everton Football Club dinner in Manchester, after Everton's surprising defeat in the Cup semi-final at Old Trafford, epitomises the feeling of every supporter of the club, no matter how great his disappointment. The West Bromwich view is; "We were lucky to win. It was a lucky goal, but Everton had the luck in the two League games. Now the account is balanced." The moving finger has written, and it is useless to "tempt it back to cancel half a line," but even so there cannot be any two minds about the fact that the goal that took West Bromwich Albion to Wembley was a freak. That a goal was a tragedy. I am certain Glidden never meant to score when he did. When he saw the ball in the net he stood still and gasped until he was mobbed by his colleagues. It happened this way. The ball was dropped across to the Albion captain standing just inside the penalty area. He promptly headed it in a lob manner back into the goalmouth Williams and Coggins were alone, except for the inrunning Richards (WG), and I think Coggins laboured under the delusion that Williams was going to take the ball. Instead, Williams was moving out to ward off Richardson. Coggins allowed his eye to stray from the ball the fraction of a second, and before he could do anything it had made one slow, big hop, passed over his head and squeezed inches inside the post. Coggins made a frantic, desperate effort to turn it aside but was too late. That, however, was not the only tragic thing about Everton's play. The forwards had sufficient chances in the first half to build up an unassailable lead. This is the real tragedy, for had they done that which they have been accomplishing with such regularity throughout the season, the Albion goal would not have mattered. Everton were fifty per cent the better team in the first half. They played the better football; they possessed the cuter ideas; their execution was more exact and elevating. Their manceurves won them the openings for which they worked –them, they failed hopelessly.
Those misses.
I will enumerate the occasions when the most potent attack in the land was absolutely impotent;
Wilkinson shot outside when running in from the right to meet Stein's centre. Johnson went clean through from Wilkinson's pass, and with only Pearson to beat from 10 yards range shot weakly straight at the goalkeeper. Wilkinson, running in after Pearson had patted out a Dean header, hit the ball with his wrong foot from two yards range, and was hopelessly wide, when a side tap would have brought a goal. Dean, right through from Dunn's lob pass, took a chance with a first time shot, and was high over when he could have brought the ball to ground and scored at will. These are the four most obvious misses of the first half. Everton should have had goals on each occasion. Everton were seen at their best in the first half. In the second half they slowed down, and there was not the same smoothness about their work. When the goal was scored they were infected with over-anxiety, and though still on top territorially they lost a deal of their subtlety, which alone could have broken down the greatest defence in England today. I have seen Shaw and company in action four times this season. On each occasion they have impressed me. On Saturday they thrilled me by they perfect covering, intrepid tackling, deadly interventing, and sure kicking. Their tackling was tenacious to a degree. They swept ball and man; it was earnest and dour. By nursing the ball the Everton aided them. Shaw, Trentham, Richardson (W.), and Edwards were positively brilliant. I recently wrote that Shaw should be given international honours. Now I am more convinced of this than ever. Coggins played well apart from his one lapse. A save from Sandford in the second half was almost super-human. The backs were good even though somewhat overshadowed by the rear divisions of the winners. Cresswell was cool, deliberate, and sound in all he did; Williams was determined, a fine tackler, and a fine leader, I thought of Jimmy Jackson when I saw Williams dashing up among the forwards in the last minutes rallying his forces.
Gee.
Gee was the best half-back on the field. His first half display was as good as anything he has done for Everton. He always made good use of the ball, and his heading and defensive powers could not have been better. Thomson and McClure were earnest intermediates who contributed pretty football touches without aspiring to brilliance. Stein took the forward honours. He was even more effective than the Albion's best raider, Wood. Magee was never a match for the swift Scot, who showed amazing ball control, while travelling at top speed, and his centres were always a menace. Johnson played the "W" formation to his detriment, and Dunn was inclined to use the inside pass far too much. Neither played as well as usual. Dean was essentially a worker, yet he was so well watched that few opportunities came his way. Wilkinson was not given many chances, but never inspired. There is no doubt that Critchley was missed.
Their Best –But Unlucky
At the Everton club dinner, after the match, Mr. W. C. Cuff, in addition to the remarks quoted above said; - "The team has set out to lift us back to the sphere of football in which we were always an ornament, and have always been missed since we have been out of it. "We take off our hats to the team. They have done nobly, I trust we shall finish this season demonstrating beyond any doubt whatever that we are fit and proper members of the First Division. "I expressed the thanks of all to the players for all they have done to make this a record season." Ben Williams, the captain said. "All our players are on the level –we are all good pals. We are disappointed, it is true, but we have done our best only to find luck against us." "If the spirit of determination which exists among the players is preserved, there is no reason why we should not go on and win the Cup next season," said Tommy Johnson. "That is what we all hope." "We have tried our hardest, but we have been unlucky," were the words of Billy Dean. "We have done our best. We have got a useful lead in the League. We are out on our own in League matches, and I think we shall finish up with a record lead in the Second Division." Warny Cresswell said; "I am really sorry we were beaten. I do not suppose I shall have the same opportunity again. I would like to see the Albion win the Cup. They were lucky, but you must have luck to win the Cup." Mr. Ernest Green, the vice chairman proposed the health of Mr. Cuff, and Mr. Jack Sharp, director, seconding, recalled how he once missed a penalty in a cup semi-final at Old Trafford against Barnsley and this lost Everton the match. "I can realise how Billy Coggins feels," he said, "but he must not worry over it, for he is the best goalkeeper in the country today."

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 EVERTON 0
March 17 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Another Blow for Everton
Spurs' take valuable points.
Mistake which cost a goal.
By "Bee."
For the second time in three days Everton lost by a goal to nought. First it was the Cup, yesterday, it was a League game at Tottenham, and for the second time this season they failed to score. The weekend's sadness was carried a further point by the fact that the only goal scored, as in the cup semi-final came though a mistake on the part of an Everton player. McClure kicked over the ball after the game at Tottenham had gone ten minutes, and Harper went in to score with a low left-footed shot. The reaction that sets in following a cup defeat often carries a heavy weight, and although Everton played moderately in the first half, when the wind was favourable to them, they once again showed their staying propensities and moreover gave a very fine rallying second half, display when they elements were against them, and when Fate caused them to play ten men and a damaged member in Thomson, who gave a plucky display for an hour in spite of a badly damaged leg. He worked with rare will and skill against the Tottenham left wing, which is made up of two Welshmen, and behind Thomson was the Peter Pan of football, W. Cresswell.
Cresswell at his best.
Cresswell had more kicks at the ball than any other of the twenty-two players. He was a thoroughly captivating defeners, and what is more rare in a full back, vary able in the placing of the ball, often running forward for the purpose of linking up with the half backs and forwards, but to be quite frank he did not get much response to his call because when he "proposed" his suit was not pressed by Johnson, who played as though he were stale.
Dean's Claim Overruled.
Gee likewise faded out in the second half after a superb first half display, it did not seen possible that Everton could play so well in the second half. They had the Spurs on the stretch through practically the whole of the period, and against that it must be declared that Spiers had a comforting day. The referee in the estimation of the spectators, who had come to see this promotion battle, was generally at fault, especially in offside decisions which Cresswell and Williams made fairly patent. Dean claimed a penalty kick for hands, but the rule says the handling must be intentional, and he was the only one who claimed for a spot-kick, and it was no surprise to me that the claim was overruled. The Spurs were a big side, with backs, who stood up to their task, while Messier rarely gave Dean a chance to show his ability as a header of the ball. Once, however, Dean definitely headed the ball to astutely that the referee imagined he had handled the ball. This was a period when Everton were playing well, and when the home right wing was being held by the subtely and charm of Cresswell and Thomson. In addition, the remainder of the left flank, Stein and Johnson were at this point in their best form, Stein particularly so. Everton's forward line, however, did not live up to the title of the Big Five when they got near goal, and in the first half the "W" plan was foiled. It was in this period that Wilkinson showed much better form and more confidence than in the Cup semi-final. These were valuable points to the Spurs, who are racing neck and neck with West Bromwich Albion, and they have rarely had to work so hard for the narrow margin of a goal.
Power of Messer.
Messer was their power. Lyons was particular good at full back and Alsford struck me as an able young wing half-back. The forward late was readily held after the game has settled down. On the Everton side Gee had a brilliant first half. Coggins was much the busier goalkeeper and was never at fault until in kicking away from hand, the ball struck a forward and rolled towards goal. However, the match will be remembered as Cresswell's match, and Williams in spite of his thigh injury of the week-end, did very excellent work, and was a rousing and able defender. Everton have such a good lead that the defeat should not worry them; but coming, as it does, on the top of the semi-final defeat, one can hardly anticipate whether it will have an effect upon future games. There was not disgrace in this defeat, but there was a sting in it for Everton, because a win yesterday would have made it a walk-over for the championship. Teams; - Everton; - Coggins, goal; Williams (captain) and Cresswell, backs; McCLure, Gee, and Thomson, half-backs; Wilkinson, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, and Stein, forwards. Tottenham Hotspur; Spiers, goal; Lyons and Hodginson, backs; Alford, Messer, and Meads, half-backs; Davies, O'Callaghan, Harper, Cook, and Smalies, forwards.

EVERTON STRIKETHE "BAD PATCH."
March 17 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
By John Peel
Everton seem to have struck the "bad patch" to their season's work at the most critical time, and it is hoped that the defeat in the Cup and the failure to score at Tottenham, yesterday will not upset the side, for they have a fine chance of winning the Second Division Championship by a record margin. The victory places Tottenham in a fine position for they have gamed four points over the Albion, who, however, have two games in hand, but the knowledge that they have secured the points must be a district advantage to the Spurs in the race for second place. That it is going to be a very keen struggle is obvious. The fact that the Albion are in the Cup final should not disturb their League position, as the Wembley duel will not be played until April 25 th . Everton have ten matches to play four at home and six away, and a lead of nine points they should win by a distance.
Everton to visit Prenton.
The Tranmere Rovers team to meet Everton in the semi-final of the Liverpool Senior Cup, at Prenton on Thursday, kick off at 5-15, is the game as that which defeated Wigan Borough namely; Briggs, Shears, Livingstone, Barton, Kennedy (a), Lewis, Meston, Watts, Dixon, Kennedy (j), Urmson.

THOSE EVERTON BLUES
March 17 th 1931. Evening Express
Lack Harmony at White Hart Lane.
Cresswell the Brightest Soloist.
By the Pilot. Two matches lost in succession! This is not the real Everton –the wonder team we have known this season. Was it the lively ball and the dry ground at White Hart lane that caused yesterday's 1-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur? Was it that the great unavailing effort in the Cup semi-final two days before took the sparkle out of the Liverpool men? Was it the keen desire that Dixie Dean should score his 200 th League goal that upset the Blues' attack –that hitherto almost irresistible scoring machine? One's mind is bound to run in the groove of speculation after seeing the League failure against the moderate 'Spurs, but whatever conclusion one might arrive at, the fact remains that this was not the wonder team that has thrilled the football world this season.
The League positions now is-
P W L D F A Pts
Everton 32 24 4 4 104 47 52
Tottenham H. 33 20 10 3 76 41 43
West Brom A. 31 16 8 7 62 37 39
"There is many a slip –" But I don't think is any cause for aniexty.
If Everton's promotion rivals are no better than Tottenham Hotspur than six more points will see the Blues back in the First Division. The 'Spurs must consider themselves fortunate to be second in the League if yesterday's form is to be accepted as a criterion, and the Tottenham directors assumed me that they were almost as good as usual. West Bromwich are 50 per cent better and despite the Cup defeat Everton are a better team than the Albion. There you have the situation in a nutshell.
Cresswell's Great Game.
Cresswell was the man of the match yesterday. He opened the season in the strange position of left back, and did it well. During the first four months of the season he was as good as any back in the League, and gave many a splendid exhibition. Recently, however, he has felt the strain, and the wiseheads have said, "Cresswell is cracking."
He upset this idea yesterday, in fact, he played his best game of the season. "Charlie Buchan, Cresswell's former club-mate, sitting just behind me, was astonished that a player now-styled a veteran could interpret the subtle arts of defensive play with such skill. The secret of Cresswell's success, his wonderful tackling, clever dribbling and precise placing was that he always came to meet the ball instead of waiting for it to come to him, like so many other players of both sides did. Everyone rose to him, and he deserved it.
Thomson's injury.
The first half was Tottenham's without the shadow of a doubt, and it was during the ninth minute that McClure's tragic miskick allowed Harper, Dean's rival in the race for goal-scoring championship of the section, to score the all-important point. Second half honours went to the Blues, but in addition to there being a slowness to shoot, the general plan was moulded too much on Dean instead of on the wingers. Dean did not have a good match, thanks to the attentions of Messer. Everton carried a semi-passager in Thomson, who twisted his ankle in the first ten minutes, but he played on, giving a good exhibition in face of his handicap. Gee played well for an hour, and McClure got over a shaky start against a lively winger in Smailes. Williams was a grand supporter of the brilliant Cresswell except that a slight bruise affected his placing. Coggins made one or two good saves in goal, but like others often found difficulty in dealing with a windswept ball. Forward Stein again took the honours.
Sports Pie.
Mr. W.C. Cuff, the chairman, Mr. Clarry Haynes and Mr. Tom McIntosh, secretary, will attend the Football Association Commission inquiry into the Ronald Dix case on behalf of the Everton club in London on Monday.

STEADY, BOYS, STEADY
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 17 March 1931
A WORD WITH EVERTON IN THEIR FALLING MOMENTS
NEED FOR SENSES OF PROPORTION AND FORWARD REVIVAL
CRESSWELL TAKES HIS “ONE HUNDRED" FOR HONOURS 
Bee’s Notes
Tottenham Hotspur are overjoyed that Everton bare been beaten, because it gives them a chance of returning to a spot they should never have left, and the First Division can house such as the 'Spurs because of their method, their cleanliness on and off the field, and because they went out of the First Division through a combination of circumstances hardly equaled. But the defeat of Everton, while comforting to the home side, must bear its imprint upon Everton thought for the morrow.  And the morrow, where Everton is concerned, is the most important thing I can think of—that is why I have been hammering for a season that we must judge Everton for the future, not for the present season.  Everton have tripped up or slipped up.  They have suffered a vexations and needless defeat in the Cup semi-final, when people had hoisted them to a position they hardly warranted. The League defeat that follows is almost as sure as night follows day; and, although it is again by a single goal (without response), it carries the full punishment of a two point’s deficit. There is no need to be squeamish nor yet unsporting.  'Spurs won 1-0 and hit the upright when we were staging such a come-back that we felt something better than 0-1 must eventuate. But, as on Saturday, the more they pressed the more the goal edged from our way. When Dean claimed a penalty- kick the referee rightly said No—it was not deliberate handling." When this referee said Dean handled, whereas he headed most beautifully, the centre-forward was not being treated fairly. But he can look after  himself. What we have got to record is two successive defeats at the weekend, and now an unbalanced side through more than one cause.  The Cup caused a lonely sinking feeling in the camp. To that must be added the knowledge that, marvelously well and plucky as he had played for ono hour. Thomson could hardly pick up one foot—an ankle injury such as he suffered against Barnsley. I have not seen a pluckier display for years, and the feature of it was that Thomson was still the sound half-hack, judicious, compelling in his force and his passes.  Hut there raised behind him the Peter Pan of football. Let us give him his due.  A year ago James Jackson performed at the Arsenal Ground in a manner that sent the critics wild with adjectival praise. To-day I am waiting to see what they will say of Warneford Cresswell. It was his greatest display.  The coolness of the man was his thinnest point; Charlie Buchan, at my elbow, said: “He’s a wonderful fellow, and takes nothing out of him." Before the battle Cresswell said he could hardly get out of the chara; his limbs were stiff. Here he was the officer commanding. He took the eye; he took the ball; Willie Davies (ex-Cardiff and Notts County), Welsh international, who so wanted to join Liverpool F.C. last season, said" I don't know which way you can beat Cresswell. He is a mastermind.  He backs away—and you know you are in his net."  Cresswell varied his strokes with calls for a throw-in, with calls for semi-half  back sock; and with a notion that he  could go right up among the forwards  and no them no harm where the  question of passing accuracy was concerned.  I shall never forget the game he played. When he said " prop” to his own forwards they replied ' cop,” and must have been thinking of "cup."  They failed. Johnson was laborious, and Dean for the second time this weekend found a pivot who had the height and faculty for out-heading him. The  absence of Critchley was felt again—not  so much, but it was still there, and, as  if to complete doubles for the week-end  where each time there was a goal  against nought, we had a solitary  mistake by McClure, and the game had  gone. But not without earnest effort by McClure, and always-brilliant goalkeeping by Coggins, who was a far busier man than the Spier of 'Spurs. 
PERSONALS 
It is not wise to hasten a decision about futures because the machinery got out of working order at Manchester and the reaction set in at White Hart-lane.  What did please me was to see the fight back made by Everton. Their second half against the wind confirmed one player’s notion that it would always be better to kick against the wind. Where  the Everton side had a gale behind them  they were innocuous; when the ball  " hung," then Everton applied pressure,  constant and not always true, near goal.  The only reason one can pay that they were not unlucky lies in the fact that Coggins was beaten by a shot that seemed to have entered the net, whereas the ball ran along the goalline. So that we must take the verdict as it stands.  However, with Thomson crocked for an  hour, and playing on to the bitter end of  the game, ever open and ever interesting  —a really capable game in the galey-wind—there  was some reason for saying  to Everton: " Well done; don't be  bothered about the result. Get your attack into working order again." 
THE W. PLAN FAILS 
On Saturday and again to-day the plan failed as surely as the picture of that title did not. To-day Everton’s need is for men to be up and doing.  Today we had no shooters, even if Spiers had the good fortune to be in the right spot for one of Dean's best, but solitary, efforts. Dunn worked among the half-backs, once being found at the side of Cresswell! Stein did very well indeed with the sparse chances that came his way, yet he must “pull" a corner kick accurately as time goes on. At half-back Gee had a first half innings of rare beauty.  Phil Kelos, the former Fulham manager, wants him to pass to the outside right or left. I am content to see him edge the ball to Thomson or McClure—the same process by a differing route.  Gee faded out through stress only.  McClure possibly borne down, had a  good finishing period without being a  success, such as Messer was or Alsford  -I like this right half back very much.  The defences were big and without complaint-Ben Williams played with a sore thigh and gave his usual hearty display—a fine example of the quiet-working captain. But it was in attack that the wheel had been turned to “Dead slow, but not deal." We had no shooters. How then could we expect to get goals?  Spurs, penned in their own half for practically the whole of the second half, felt what the 30,000 spectators felt:  There is a danger of a goal, but no fear of one. The Everton line will resume its innings in due course, and as I am going to Leicester, with the permission of the Liverpool supporters and friends, on Saturday next it may be that the 200th League goal hoodoo that has been on Dean for a week or so will be ended and Goodison Park will be able to see I this still epoch making register which has no equal in the history of the game. 

EVERTON TO TOUR
March 18 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
By John Peel.
A message received from Stockholm states that Everton are to play a match in May, by Mr. W.C. Cuff the Everton chairman, informs me that the decision has yet been arrived at by the directors. The club has received the invitation to tour in the continent and it remains to be seen weather they will accept one of them. Meanwhile Everton resume their efforts to increase their advantage at the top of the Second Division on Saturday, when Millwall are to visitor Goodison Park. Everton have made a couple of changes, Critchley is fit again, and he will resume his usual position at outside-right. An unexpected change, however, is the inclusion of Britton at right half in place of McClure, who has had a long and successful run, and he is taking a rest.

THE  MILLWALL CLUB;
Liverpool Echo-Wednesday, March 18 1931
EVERTON’S VISITORS
Bee’s Notes
On Saturday Everton will have Millwall as visitors to Goodison Park to engage them in their return Second Division encounter, and as this will be the Millwall club’s debut on this enclosure, the team is bound to make a bold bid to record the occasion with a victory.  The history of the club dates a long way back, and was formed through a small band of enthusiastic sportsmen who used to meet nightly and kick a ball about.  From that state of affairs they have risen to their present status, and have accomplished many fine feats while doing so.  The club was definitely formed in 1885, and figured mostly in the Southern League, of which combination they were champions in 1894-95, when they went through the season without suffering a single defeat.  They again carried off the honour the following season, but after that they were not so successful.  With the formation of the Southern Section of the Third Division in 1920-21 they became members and after finishing in the third position in 1923-24, 1925-26, and 1926-27, they gained promotion to the Second Division the following season by winning the championship from Northampton Town.  Like many other clubs, however, they found that Second Division football was a tougher proposition that at first anticipated and have had to fight hard to retain their place last season, finishing fourteenth in the chart with 39 points.
PREVIOUS CUP MEETING
The only other occasion on which Millwall have opposed their more famous rivals was as far back as 1903-4, when the clubs were drawn together in the third round of the English Cup competition at Millwall, and Everton came away victors by a goal to nil.  So far this campaign Millwall have not fared badly, and at present they occupy the thirteenth position in the League table with 34 points for 33 games, but their away record by no means suggests that they are likely to spring a surprise as the result of their visit to Goodison Park on Saturday. 

EVERTON GO TO BRITTON 
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 18 March 1931
SURPRISE CHANGE IN THE GOODISON RANKS 
Everton hope and believe that they will be able to play Critchley on Saturday against Millwall. The usual right-winger says he is certain to play.  Thomson, in the train yesterday, told me that his ankle is very much better, and the directors have made up their minds about the selection of the team, which will introduce a rather startling break of the formation that has carried them to the top of the League.  It is said that McClure it taking a rest. Call it what you will (writes  " Bee -), the team shows Britton as tight half-back, and the half-hack line now greatly resembles in my estimation  the old-tune formation of Makepeace,  Taylor, Abbott, except that we have not  the bulk of Abbott.  The team is:—Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; Britton, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, and Stein.  The Everton team to meet Tranmere Rovers to-morrow, at Prenton, in the Liverpool Cup tie is: Sagar; Common, Lowe; McPherson, Griffiths, Towers; Wilkinson, Martin, White, Webster, Rigby.
THE MILLWAL TEAM
The Millwall team to meet Everton on Saturday next will be the same as did duty against Swansea, with the exception that Pipe, who strained a muscle in the groin, is a doubtful starter.  In the event of his being declared unfit his place will be taken by Moran. 

EVERTON'S TWO TEAM CHANGES.
March 18 th 1931. Evening Express.
Britton at Half-back, Cxritchley in the wing.
By the Pilot.
Everton make their first voluntary team change since Jan 10 th for their Second Division match with Millwall at Goodison Park on Saturday. McClure, who displaced McPherson at right-half, after the great victory at Swansea in January, and who has been playing exceedingly well in all the subsequent cup and League matches, stands down in favour of Britton, the former Bristol Rovers player. Critchley, who twisted his ankle in the game with Reading at Goodison Park, is fit again, and returns to his place at outside right to the exclusion of Wilkinson. Teams; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; Britton, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein. The Millwall team will be selected from Wilson, Sweetman, Pipe or Moran, Newcomb, Hancock, Graham, Wadesworth, Swallow, Landells, Forsyth, Pixton,. Pipe is suffering from a strained muscle in the groin.

BEE’S NOTES
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 19 March 1931
The Millwall team to meet Everton, at Goodison Park, on Saturday, may be unchanged from last week, though Pipe is a doubtful starter. In his absence Moran will play. The team is: Wilson; Sweetman, Pipe (or Moran); Newcomb, Hancock, Graham; Wadsworth, Swallow, Landells, Forsyth, Poxton. 
Stockholm has already stated that Everton will be there in May to show them the wonder team. Nothing has been settled at the moment, although it is believed it is most probable that Everton will go a tour, and if this is so Dean may revoke his original intention of going with the F.A. team to Canada. 
AN OLD-TIME SPORT
Mr. Will Eyton (late Everton and Stanley) writes; I regret to bring to your notice the passing away of the late Sir Alexander Bicket, one of the promoters of the Bootle and Stanley Football Clubs.  He it was who introduced to the club such players as Jackson and Jack Griffiths (goalkeeper of the early eighties), Will and Tom Veitch, Walter Campbell, Archie Alsop, brothers Galbraith, Punch McEwan (Lansdon F.C., Stanley Park), and Andy Gibson, Tommy Morris, Jobie Wilding (from Wrexham), Willie Hastings, Archie Wood, Barbour (the one-armed outside right), Johnny Holt (Accrington).  He was also the means of building up the Stanley Football Club.  Ferguson and Henderson (goal-keepers), Wilson, Pollock, Martin, C. McGoldrich, Jim Maude, Dickie Jones (Oakfield Rovers afterwards Bootle F.C), Alexander Dick (Kilmarnock), Archie Goodall, the brothers Roberts and William Brown (afterwards Everton F.C).  Most of the above were employed by the United Grain Elevating Co’, Talbot-street, Bootle.  Long may his memory last. 
TOO LATE
Mr. E.Bryant writes;- Allow me to voice a few complaints on behalf of thousands of Everton supporters.  Last Saturday the Lime-street Company ran a few excursions for the semi-final at Old Trafford.  I know for a fact that each of these trains arrived late at their destination-too late for the passengers to get inside the ground.  The train that carried me left Lime-Street on time, i.e., 12.20 p.m., due at Old Trafford 1.22 p.m. At 1.22 p.m. we were in that charming country called Warrington-just in time to see the gates closed-exactly one hour late.  If we had arrived on time, or a few minutes late-which was all that was necessary on such a short journey-we would have seen the match.  There were more people outside the ground from Liverpool than ever got inside. 

TRANMERE ROVERS 3 EVERTON RESERVES 3
March 20 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Liverpool Senior Cup semi-final
Everton pull up in the Dusk
Six goals shared in Local Cup-tie.
From Tranmere Rovers' point of view, a draw of three goals each was the worst possible result for their semi-final tie in the Liverpool Senior Cup against Everton, because this means an extra game when the fixture list is getting overcrowded. It was an entertaining game at Everton, and yet Tranmere should have won. The last quarter of an hour was played in semi-darkness, and it was during this time that Everton pulled up from being 3-1 down. If the result had been 3-1 it would have favoured Tranmere unduly, but the 3-3 decision is not quite the right return from their point of view. White appeared to have scored a perfect goal, which the referee disallowed, and on another occasion it seemed that Sagar scooped the ball away before it had crossed the line, whereas the official decision was a goal. Maston got the first goal, and nearly took a second when Towers intervened and was injured. The Everton had a goal disallowed, and Dixon from a doubtful position, made a splendid lob over Sagar's head, the goalkeeper touching the ball upwards slightly and then making a dash and a scroop away, all of which was of no avail.
White in Good Form.
Tranmere led 2-0 at the interval, but White got a final goal before Dixon made it 3-1 following a dash down the centre of the field. Wilkin scored late on, and Griffiths three minutes from the end, from a corner kick, headed into the net. It was good clean, hard football on a ground, which did not lend itself to first time passing, and on which the ball bounced awkwardly. Tranmere, who have rarely beaten Everton in a match of this character, did very well to built up a lead, but when Everton stayed the course better the bad light contributed to the home side's down fall. No player worked so well as White, whose first half display was brilliant. Everton's attack was not seen in a good light until the game was nearly over, and their half-backs apart from Griffiths, were rather lethargic and inclined to treat matters too lightly. Sagar, who was injured, saved one particularly good effort from Urmson, and was fairly safe otherwise Fishwick, who played at inside right instead of Watts did not get into the stride of the game, until late on, but Urmson, Dixon, and Meston were successful attackers, and Barton, in opposition to Rigby, an outstanding half-back. The team played well as a whole until they started to fade out a matter of minutes from the finish. Teams; - Tranmere Rovers; - Briggs, goal; Shears and Livingstone, backs; Barton, A. Kennedy, and Lewis, half-backs; Meston, Fishwich, Dixon, J. Kennedy, and Urmson, forwards. Everton; - Sagar, goal; Common and Cook, backs; McPherson, Griffiths, and Towers, half-backs; Wilkinson, Martin, White, Webster and Rigby, forwards.

EVERTON'S OPPONENTS.
March 20 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury.
By John Peel
Tomorrow Everton have Millwall Athletic as visitors at Goodison park for their return Second Division engagement, and at this will mark the London club's first appearance on Merseyside. They are bound to make a bold bid to carry off the points. Only twice previously have the clubs met, the first occasion being in 1903-04 in the third round of the English Cup, when Everton prevailed 1-0 at the Den, (Everton Lost 1-0) and during the early part of the present season, when Everrton were again successful at the Den in a League game by 3-0. Since that time, however, Millwall have shown a declined improvement and have had a good run during recent weeks, including victories over Preston North End (3-1), Bristol City (2-1), Barnsley (4-1), Swansea Town (3-1), and a division of the points with West Bromwich Albion. Millwall gained promotion to the Second Division in 1927-28.

THE MISSING GOAL?
Liverpool Echo - Friday 20 March 1931
EVERTON ATTEMPT TO RESUME THEIR NATTY NET WORK;
Bee’s Notes
Setbacks should do us good.  They should serve to show us what we have been dealing out and doling out to our adversaries and teach us in our might to be tender and sporting.  Not that our sides have not been anything but reasonably joyfully happy over their run of success.  At Goodison Park I have heard no complaints from anyone—their acceptance of defeat was quite praiseworthy.  Indeed, one famous player said. I'm playing terrible, positively terrible." I won't mention his name,  but I will put the record on public print,  because, in the ordinary football circles,  no matter what the result may be—even  a 10-0 defeat—all the players believe  "it was the other fellow ', fault." Which means they hide their own deficiencies from themselves—not from anyone else!  It's a poor sport who cannot accept defeat and admit his fault or failing.  So much for moralizing. Now to the affair of Goodison Park to-morrow.  The winning resumption is expected against Millwall, who were most unlucky to lose to Everton, at the Den, in December. To-morrow the team will find Goodison Park a place fit for football—the dry ground, it is said, has been a testing of the side that had wallowed in wins in the mud-swamps. I don’t believe this is the case at all.  Everton have simply slipped their hearings in two games, and the forward line has been in name only—they did not shoot at the 'Spurs ground. But with Critchley back there will be a remembrance of the ability of the line, and a renewed confidence. The most important change is at half-back, where McClure is said to have found the change of turf a little difficult, and suggesting he has not the pace necessary to take the bounding ball. It may savour of harsh treatment that any one man should be taken out, but those who pick the team have watched the continued good play of Britton, of Bristol, and have joined in the “Come to Britton” movement.  It has been so long coming that I almost fear to remind you that a goal to Dean to-morrow will be his 200th goal in five and a half seasons of football with Everton—to accommodate those who do not know and those who, caught napping, denied the total, but now  " follow my leader." it should be mentioned that these are League goals only; Cup notches are not included, and the figure does not include Dean's 27 for Tranmere. When it does come I am sure Dean will have a hearty response from the crowd, which is yearning to see the big fellow take a goal at Goodison after twice nodding the hall to the upright. It should be an historic match, therefore, to-morrow.  Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; Britton, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, dean, Johnson, Stein.  Millwall; Wilson; Sweetman, Pipe; Newcomb, Graham, Hancock; H. Wadsworth, Swallow, Landells, Forsyth, Boston. 
GOODISON PARK MUSIC
Aigburth Silver Prize band (conductor Mr. Harry Wearing);- March “Action Front” (Blankenburg); Waltz “The Blue Danube” (Strauses); fox-trot, “A Little Love Song” (Lawrence Wright); selection, “English Songs” (Rimmer); fix-trot, “Song of the Dawn” (Lawrence Wright); march, “Voice of the Guns” (Alford). 
AN EVERTON CHANGE
Thomson, who was damaged at Tottenham, on Monday, will not be able to play for Everton against Millwall tomorrow.  White who played so well against Tranmere Rovers yesterday will take his place. 
EVERTON’S CUP-TIE
Excellent sound pictures of the Everton v West Bromwich cup-tie battle, with the attendant vast crowds, are included in the current Gaumont sound news.

EVERTON TEAM CHANGES.
March 20 th 1931. Evening Express.
By the Pilot.
A last minute change is necessary at Everton for tomorrow, Thomson, the Everton left half-back, was given a test today for his ankle injury received against Tottenham Hotspur, and was found to be unfit, White comes into the team. This is Thomson's first absence from the side this season. Everton have an opportunity of completing their seventh double of the season. They have taken four points from Plymouth Arygle, Swansea Town, West Bromwich Albion, Bradford City, Charlton Athletic, and Reading. Dean has another chance of registering the elusive 200 th football league goal for Everton.

MILLWALL VISIT EVRTON.
March 21 st 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
By John Peel.
Compared with the excitement which no doubt contributed to Everton's downfall in the cup, they will face the League task against Millwall today in a more tranquil spirit, and I expect the team to settle down to their former dominating play. With nine points advantage and a game in hand, Everton seem assured of the championship, but the object in view is to obtained as many points as possible, and in the ordinary course of events two points should be added to the club's fine record today. Millwall have been playing well of late, but I belivie Everton will prevail by a good margin. Critchley returns to the team, and Britton comes in for McClure, but Thomson is unable to play owing to the injury received at Tottenham, and White takes his place. On the visitors side a notable personality is Harold Wadsworth, who formerly assisted Liverpool. A collection is to be made at the ground for the National Playing Fields for Boys Fund. Collectors should be at the ground not later than two o'clock. The match starts bat 3-15. Teams; Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; Britton, Gee, White; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein. Millwall; Wilson; Sweetman, Pipe (or Moran); Newcomb, Hancock, Graham; Wadsworth, Swallow, Landells, Forsyth, Poxton.

EVERTON MISS THE GOAL TOUCH
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 21 March 1931
A DEAN EFFORT ADJUDGED OFFSIDE-MILLWALL HAVE THEIR CHANCES
By stork
Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; Britton, Gee, White; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, Stein.  Millwall; Wilson; Sweetman, Moran; Newcomb, Hancock, Graham; Wadsworth, Swallow, Landells, Forysth, Foxton.  Referee; Mr. S.L. Clarke, Birmingham. 
Despite last week's big fall there was the usual large crowd at Goodison today.  There was an incentive, for it was anticipated on all sides that Dean would at long last return to his goal-scoring ideas and collect the one necessary to make his total number of League goals into 200.  The ground, newly marked, looked a picture, but looks very often belie at Goodison, for its turf plays some scurvy tricks at times.  Millwall started as if they meant real business, and they adopted the right idea in trying a shot even if the chance of making it successful was rather vague.  Forsyth was the shooter in one instance, but his drive was pulled rather badly, and Coggins had simply to stand and watch the ball travel outside.  EARLY OFFSIDE GOAL 
Everton's answer to this was a staunch attack, and when Dean got the ball flush in front of goal I said to a colleague, "Here it is, and it was so, for Dean rammed the ball past Wilson and into the net.  Here was a case for many congratulations, but they had to wait a while, for the referee had adjudged Dean offside.  For my part, I thought Dean was onside, but it is no use quibbling with the referee's decision.  Everton continued to play progressive football, and Dean issued passes right and left, but they were not taken as they should have been, and Wilson’s chief duty was the cutting out of one or two headers. Critchley was very weak on two occasions.  Then we had the uncommon view of the referee being knocked out when a clearance by Dunn struck him on the head. He was soon up again, and Millwall’s right wing gave Cresswell the opportunity to show his skill and daintiness in defeating the old Merseysider.  Harold Wadsworth, who, I remember, played havoc with Cresswell when the latter was making his debut for Everton against Leicester. 
RELYING ON "BEEF" 
There was quiet spell for a time, and then nearly a goal, for Dunn and Dean worked the ball between them so well that the centre-forward was left with a gilt-edged chance, but having tasted the disappointment of having to place his shots, he this time relied on beef." and sent in a scorcher, which Wilson dropped on to and saved.  It is only true to say, however, that Dean's shot went straight to the goalkeeper, otherwise be would have had no chance whatever. The way Everton attacked suggested goals, for they were right on top of the Millwall defence, which was only saved by the poor finish of the Everton men.  Johnson tried a mighty drive that was off the mark, and Dunn also tried to get one up on the goalkeeper without success. Millwall's attack was spasmodic. It came in flashes and more by the big forward kick than by the intricate passing movements of the Everton attack. 
BRITTON SUCCEEDS 
Britton up to now had been a big success. His construction was above reproach, while little fault coned he found with his defensive methods. In fact, Everton as s team were much superior to their opponents, and in consequence the game lost a lot of its lustre Dean was just a fraction late in getting to a push-through from Johnson, the goalkeeper just nipping in in time to prevent the Everton man making an easy position for himself.  With all this attacking it could not be said that Everton gave promise of much goal scoring. For one thing, Dean was closely watched by Hancock, and Wilson, the Millwall goalkeeper, adopted safety-first methods when this were not going his way.  He was not in the slightest way perturbed when surrounded by three Everton men, for he calmly threw the ball into touch. He later made a good save when closely challenged by Dean, and was hurt in doing so.  Apart from a pass-back by Williams  to Coggins, which, by the way, the goalkeeper  fumbled, the Everton custodian  had little or nothing to do, and it was fully half an hour before he got his first real  shot.  Landell's broke through, and it appeared as if the Everton defence thought he was offside, for it was only at the last minute they decided to move to try and stop him. The Millwall leader, however, had got so far forward that he was in an almost unassailable position, and his shot was a good one, which Coggins dealt with ably.  Cresswell brought in the offside dodge to prevent Landells from running away, and Hancock, by the use of his hands, held up an Everton attack initiated by Johnson. Everton had certainly had their chances, but these big guns of a few weeks ago refused to fire. 
AN EVERTON ESCAPE 
Then the Everton goal had a near squeak. Cresswell and White came to  earth together in trying to stop a rightwing  attack which resulted in Swallow  driving home an oblique shot which  Coggins turned away from his goal. He was not able to grasp the ball, and it was going out to the oncoming Forsyth, and the position was looking anything but “cushy “for Everton.  — Coggins, however, showed commendable pluck in scrambling on all-fours  and sweeping the ball away from the  Millwall inside left just as the latter  was about to deliver a shot into the  empty net.  Having found that they could master  the Everton defence, Millwall engaged  in a spell of attack that was distinctly  promising, at least it was the best they  had showed up to this point  Poxton, although interfered with by  Britton, got in his centre, and Coggins  had to be very sure when be swept the  ball away.  it now Millwall's turn to have  their lucky moment, for, after a shot  by Critchley which went to Dean, the  Everton centre-forward tapped the ball  an inch or two on the wrong side of the  upright.  Just on time Dean offered Stein a golden chance. The winger, however, flung the ball over the crossbar. Dean later put the ball nicely to Dunn that the latter could not help but take a shot, Wilson again saving.  Half-time.—Everton 0, Millwall 0. 
QUIET EVERTON
MILLWALL KEEPER’S FINE SHOW
JOHNSON AND CRITCHLEY
DEAN SCRATCHES HIS HEAD ABOUT SAVED SHOTS
Dean's goal is almost as elusive as the Pimpernel. He had his chance against Millwall, for he took a penalty—a gift goal in the eyes of many—but failed with it. It took Everton an uncommonly long time to get the better of Millwall, whose goalkeeper was the big man of the side.  He foiled Dean time and again, yet I thought Dean scored a perfectly legitimate goal early on.  Everton's midfield play was all that could be desired. Their long spells of attack became monotonous, yet there was not the accurate shooting which has brought them so many goals this season.  Jackson and Critchley were today’s, but there should have been many more, for Millwall, in all but defence, were only moderate. 
Everton resumed, but were much too close in their work to be effective, for this played into the hands of the Millwall defence, which was very solid.  However, at forty-nine minutes Everton were granted a penalty kick for a handling offence by Moran.  It wail only to be expected that Dean  would be given the offer of a goal,  but to the dismay of all Dean shot on to  the upright, followed up, and netted  the ball at the second attempt.  This, of course, was an infringement of the rule for Dean was not allowed to touch the ball a second time without it having touched the goalkeeper.
GOAL FOR JOHNSON 
Only five minutes had gone when Everton took the lead. Critchley, by cleverly keeping the ball in play, enabled Dean to make a perfect pass, so that Johnson could make a first-time effort. The ball actually struck the upright and ricocheted across the goal before it finally went into the net.  Coggins saved cleverly from Poxton, but the best saves of the day were made by Wilson. He stopped a point blank range shot from Dean and later foiled the same player by performing a juggling act with the ball after Dean had made a great effort for his 200th goal.  At this point it was the Millwall defence against Everton, and Wilson’s work in goal was of a very high standard.  Dean scratched his head in wonderment at some of the goalkeeper's saves.  Williams went up, and with a long, swinging pass gave Stein the chance of a lifetime, but the winger got under the ball to such an extent that it went high over the bar, accompanied by a roar from the crowd.  Wilson made yet another save from  Dean, and then showed originality in  goalkeeping by running out, trapping a  centre from Stein with his foot, and  then went on to make a perfect clearance.  Wilson had undoubtedly saved Millwall from a heavy defeat.  Quite his best save was when he punched away a fiery drive by Johnson.  This he followed with an equally fine save from Dean.
CRITCIILEY INCREASES 
He had to yield, however, a little later when Johnson swung his free-kick out to Critchley, and with everybody gathered together in front of goal.   Critchley was unattended and he promptly sent the ball hurtling into the far corner of the net.  There was a curious incident after Wilson had stepped in to check Dean.  He made the clearance, but one of the linesmen saw something that we had not. The referee made inquiries, after which Everton were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. The only thing Wilson could have done was to have carried the ball over the penalty line.  Final; Everton 2, Millwall 0. 
Everton “A 2, Warrington league 1

THE SPORTING LOOKING –GLASS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 21 March 1931
RIGHT MEN IN THE FOOTBALL GAME
A WORKING DIRECTOR MR. GIBBINS
By Bees
To prevent s wrong impression you and I Mr. Gibbins must needs keep our hats.  The cynical say: "You can’t have hair and brains.” I say “But it's nice to have one!"  Mr. Gibbins has been through the football gamut. He played as a boy:  then he became one of the busy workers who helped in the Westminster “Cathedral."  Sometimes with a bazaar, sometimes in the news of the "Westminster Gazette," of which I was the happy editor; and always was he a worker.  He had a spirit that one time led him to make a definite challenge to the chair of the Everton Football Club in their stormy days. Gee, what days those were, with their underground rails and channels; their proxies; their promises; the threat, that came my way because the public might be led to believe the club “wanted to get rid of their then secretary, Mr. Cuff.   This is where; I have a good laugh, because I knew the inner and underlying history of this affair.  Eventually Mr. Gibbins left the floor for the elevated staircase and the directors’ room.  He became a director.  And throughout his period of service he has been a consistent worker.  Tell him what you want done, and it is done.  Don't remind him: don t think you must worry until it is accomplished; it is as good as done when you have given your order or expressed your desire.  It is therefore as Business Candidate that I specially mention this Everton director.  He has taken a thorough interest in the reserve side, and that is something of a task rather than a pleasure. There you get the dregs of the elevens; the away engagement of the reserve side call for sacrifice. You miss the great joys of the first team matters. You cannot express your opinion upon the real matters—that is the idea.  Actually you are in charge of the team of the future. I am happy to think that his discernment with one reserve team player led to that player being kept instead of sent about his business in another town.  Mr. Gibbins has a hasty method sometimes; but I think quick workers and, active operators generally work by Intuition and are more dependable than the slower worker, who ponders till he is maned, astonished, and unable to give his own verdict.  Mr. Gibbins has done loyal, earnest service to the Everton club. 

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo- Saturday, March 21, 1931
By Louis T. Kelly

AIGBURTH WESLEYAN METHODIST
Liverpool Ech0-Saturday, March 21 1931
Tomorrow, the third annual service for footballers is at 3 p.m.  James Jackson (Liverpool FC) will speak, Kenny Campbell (New Brighton FC) will preside;  “Stud marks,” of “The Football Echo” (Mr. Louis T. Kelly) will read the lesson; Tom Griffiths (Everton FC), with selections on his ‘cello; the Misses Doris and Melba “Studmarks,” in solos and duet.  This is the greatest footballers’ gathering ever held in the South of Liverpool.

EVERTON 2 MILLWALL 0
March 23 rd 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Everton below Best Form.
Millwall Prove Difficult to Beat
Penalty Missed by Dean
Poor finishing made Everton's task more difficult than it should have been in the game with Millwall. They won by two clear goals, but it could not be said they touched championship form. The forwards had enough chances in the first half to win the game with ease, but they left the scoring till the second period, when Johnson (54 minutes) and Critchley 82 minutes) scored. Again Dean went goalless, and his individual total is still 1999. Early on he did get the ball in the net, but was given off-side –a rather fine decision.
Wilson Thwarts Dean.
The hero of the game was Wilson, the Millwall goalkeeper, and it almost looked as though he had a special mission in thwarting Dean. Time and again the Everton centre fired in shots that must have beaten any ordinary goalkeeper, but Wilson seemed inspired. He took the ball cleanly, and several hot volleys from point blank range were taken with the safety and assurance of a county cricketer. Even a penalty kick brought no luck of Dean, as his shot struck the foot of an upright and although he netted from the rebound he was than offside. That happened five minutes before Johnson, Johnson, from a pass by Dean, scored a shot that struck the woodwork before entering the net. Critchley's goal eight minutes from the end came from a free kick given against Wilson for taking too many strides before clearing the ball. The kick off was taken a few yards from the Millwall goal, and Johnson with admirable tact passed the ball to Critchley, who was one of the few unmarked players, what time Critchley drove well into the net. Millwall were more dangerous in the second half, and their work at times reached a fairly good standard. Throughout the first half, however, Everton practically monopolished the attack without being able to get beyond the Millwall defence. It was not a creditable display from an Everton viewpoint.
Defence Stands Out.
The scoring machine did not function well and considering the chances the accrued, Everton made a mountain out of a molehill. The defence, however, was beyond criticism, Cresswell's work reached a high standard. Cool and resourceful, he positioned himself so that his interceptions were both timely and helpful. In a more vigorous way Williams made light of the Millwall attack, while Coggins, although he had not a great deal to do, was safe and sound. Thomson missed his first game since joining the club, and in a fairly strong middle line Gee and Britton were prominent workers. The extreme wing men, Critchley and Stein wasted a number of good chances, and it was this weakness that made the line unbalanced, Dean was a trier all through and was well supported by both Dunn and Johnson, although often they kept the ball too close. The best on the Millwall side were Wilson, Sweetman, Moran, and Hancock. Teams; - Coggins, goal; Williams (captain) and Cresswell, backs; Britton, Gee, and White, half-backs; Critchley, Dunn, Dean, Johnson, and Stein, forwards. Millwall; - Wilson, goal; Sweetman and Moran, backs; Newcomb, Hancock and Graham, half-backs; Wadsworth, Swallow, Landalis, Forsyth, and Poxton, forwards.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS RESERVES 4 EVERTON RESERVES 2
March 23 rd 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Central League (Game 34)
Everton Reserves provided the Wolves with the hardest game of the season at Wolverhampton. The match took a dramatic turn ten minutes from time. Phillips for the Wolves scoring two goals in five minutes. Everton were strong all round, with Griffiths outstanding. Wilkinson improved as the game progressed. The goals were obtained for Wolves Martin and Phillips (3), and for Everton, Martin was the successful marksman . Everton; - Sagar, goal; Common and Cook, backs; Chedgzoy, Griffiths and McClure, half-backs; Wilkinson, Martin, Davies, Webster and Leyfield.

EVERTON STILL NEED A POSH GOAL
Liverpool Echo - Monday 23 March 1931
DEAN MISSES NO. 200 
By Stork
Bill Dean had another opportunity  to catch that elusive goal, for he was entrusted with a penalty—this  honour truly belongs to Johnson, who is  the recognized spot kicker" of the  Everton side—but was off the mark,  striking the upright, and when the ball  came back to him he could not resist  the temptation to have another go,  although I know Dean knew perfectly  well that he could not score with his  second attempt, but in his anxiety he  must have overlooked the fact.  There was another decision with which the public should be made conversant.  A free-kick was given against the Millwall goalkeeper, Wilson, for carrying the ball more than two steps-the full allowance. This was a linesman's opinion, for it was he who called the referee's attention to the fact, and the spectators sat in wonderment, not knowing the reason for this free-kick.
OUT OF RANGE 
Millwall took a lot of beating. They were a good second in the matter of attack, yet it took Everton nearly an hour to break through their opponent’s defence and take the lead. So persistent was Everton's attack in the first half that the game became monotonous, and it wanted a goal or two to break the tension. There were occasions for goals, too, but the Everton “big guns” were out of action, and could not find the range. Millwall's defenders had something to do with it; but I think Everton themselves were much more to blame. Time and again Wilson was left in sole charge, his backs having been overwhelmed, but this former Newcastle goalkeeper stood up manfully to his tack, and made some startling saves.  His point-blank range save from Dean, even though the ball was driven straight  at him, was magnificent, for there was a ton of power - behind the drive, but  Wilson grasped it in firm hands.  It was in the second half, however, that the best was seen of Wilson. He  is one of the best goalkeepers seen at  Goodison for many a long day, and not  only did he startle the spectators with  his great work, but he caused Dean to  scratch his head a number of times and  look at him and wonder how on earth he had done it.  Wilson undoubtedly saved Millwall from a severe lacing, for after Johnson’s goal Everton got on the goal trail, but Wilson defied them, and was only beaten a second time after Johnson had wisely swept a free kick right over to the unmarked Critchley.  Wilson got an ovation all to himself as he left the field.  He had earned it. 
NOT CONVINCING 
Prior to Saturday I had not seen Everton since January 31. I cannot say that I was impressed with them, for they were not convincing.  Everton's defence was all-powerful. At times they took things rather too easily, and it was well that there was little danger in the Millwall front rank.  Landells, at centre forward, had no ball control; Wadsworth has lost a lot of his wizardry; and the best of the line was Poxton and Forsyth, but there was a dearth of shot from their attack, and all the honours must go to the defence. I very much doubt if Critchley's ankle was quite as well as it might have been.  Apart from his goal he did little, and Stein was also in one of his quiet moods.  Dunn, until he got a rap on the leg, was dainty and effective, and even though Dean missed a goal, he gave one and offered others, but there were no takers.  Creswell was brilliant. He made Wadsworth look “small “by his tricks, and Williams, if not so scientific, was a great partner. Brittan played well. He is the Everton type. No slogging with this boy, but thoughtful play throughout.  He got most of his passes to his man, and his defence was sound. White had difficult shoes to fill in taking Thomson’s place, but he did not let the side down. He was helped off the field at the finish limping badly. Coggins made one or two good saves, but had little to do, so well was he covered and so frail was the Millwall attack.

THE EVERTON-DIX INQUIERY
Liverpool Echo - Monday 23 March 1931
THRASHING THE MATTER OUT IN LONDON 
Everton F.C. (per Messrs. Cuff, Hayes. and McIntosh), and Bristol Rovers F.C. and Dix, fought out the football player's transfer, to-day, before the Football League Commission (Mr.  McKenna in the chair).  The commission consisted of Messrs.  John McKenna. F. W. Rinder, P. Bach, and C. E. Sutcliffe.  Bristol appealed against the veto which had been placed on the transfer of Dix.  Evidence was taken of Messrs, Doxall and Howell (directors of the Bristol Club), Mr. Prince-Cox (secretary-manager), and the player, Dix, and his father.  Mr. Cuff gave evidence on behalf of the Everton Club.  The committee reported that they would fully consider the evidence and the agreement produced, and report to the Management Committee at their meeting in Glasgow, on Friday, when a full report will be issued to the Press.  The meeting lasted for over two hours. 

FORGET THAT 200 TH GOAL!
March 23 rd 1931. Evening Express
It is Cramping Everton's Style.
Versatile White.
The Lions Roar But Do Not Bite.
By the Pilot.
I wish Dean would get that 200 th League goal! In his last four League games –against Nottingham Forest, Reading, Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall –he has done his level best and has failed. More than that, his colleagues have done everything possible to help him, but that goal still eludes Dean. I wish he would score it, not so much for his personal record, although it is a matter for admiration, but for the sake of Everton as a team. One cannot be blind to the fact that this one goal is proving the bugbear of the Blues at the moment. It is affecting Dean's play. It is affecting that of Johnson and Dunn. Why cannot Everton forget it and play their ordinary game? Against Millwall the side even deviated from its customary plan by making Johnson the regular penalty taker, stand down when they got a spot kick to allow Dean to take it. Dean can score penalties – I have seen him –but on this occasion he hit an upright, and was so chagrined at his failure that he played the ball a second time so that his scoring shot was rightly disallowed. You see the psychological effect it has on the player.
Disputed Decision.
I think Dean did get the elusive goal legitimately when he put the ball into the Millwall net in the first ten minutes of the game. The referee Mr. Clark, though otherwise. Dunn placed forward to Dean, positioned between the backs, Dixie gathered the pass well and beat Wilson easily, only to find that the referee had whistled, apparently for offiside. After the match I asked Mr. Clark why he disallowed the goal and he said, "Dean was not offside when he scored, but he ran from an offside position." This is the official view and one cannot question it, but I disagree. In my opinion Dean ran forward and not back to accept the pass. Wilson, the Lion's goalkeeper was yet another bogy to Dean. Some of his saves at the expense of Dixie were remarkable. This was Wilson's day, yet his propensity for carrying directly led to Everton's second goal, scored by Critchley, Johnson having obtained the first. The Lions were game defenders, but so prefect were Williams and Cresswell that their attack was reduced almost to impotency. The Everton backs are playing right at the top of their form at the moment, and I am happy to think that Cresswell has shaken off the uncertainty, which troubled him for two or three matches. No one could doubt the subtlety and accuracy with which Johnson and Dunn initiated attacks. They were the best forwards on the field and put in that extra bit which was necessary when it was found that neither Critchley nor Stein could really master two purposeful wing halves in Newcomb and Graham.
White Does Well.
Congratulations to White on his versatility. Deputising for the injured Thomson, he played as if he were born to the left half position. Praise also to Britton, who was a nippy intervener and clever user of the ball. More praise even to Gee, again the best half-back on the field.
Sports Pie.
•  Everton are stated to have been represented at the Bury v Oldham match on Saturday, and Robinson, the Bury left-half, is considered the object of their quest.
•  Mr. W. C. Cuff was at den's Park to see the Dundee United –Airdrieonians match.
•  Tootenham Hotspurs and West Bromwich Albion, Everton's closest rivals, for promotion, meet on Saturday. If either club wins this, and all its remaining games and Everton retain their present goal average the Blues will need only five points to make certain of going back to Division 1. If the match is drawn another six points will see Everton realise their ambitions.

FOOTBALLER & HIS LOSSES
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 24 March 1931
Former Everton Player
FARM THAT FAILED
Struggles That Ended In Bankruptcy Court
The business struggles of an ex Everton professional footballer were related today before Mr. Registrar Nield at Liverpool Bankruptcy Court. Thomas Edward Fern (43) attended for public examination on a statement, showing unsecured liabilities of £518 and a deficiency of £462. Fern, answering questions by Mr. Allcorn, the Official Receiver, said he gave up his employment at a colliery in 1911 to devote his time to football. He played for Worksop Town and Lincoln City, and in 1913 was transferred to Everton F.C.. receiving £250 as his share of the transfer fee.
POULTRY FARM VENTURE
During the war he served in the Army, and afterwards returned to Everton until 1924, receiving two benefits of £5OO each. From 1924 to 1927 he played with Port Vale F.C. £5 at a week, and then for two seasons with Colwyn Bay at £3 a week, finishing his professional football career in April, 1929. With his earnings and benefits, he had saved £1,000 by 1924, and he then purchased for £266 premises at Aintree and set up as a poultry farmer and market gardener, expending substantial sums on poultry and greenhouses.
COSTLY INEXPERIENCE
The business was not successful; neither was another venture he undertook of retailing crockery at various markets. His losses amounted to about £85O--probably due to his inexperience. He sold out in 1927, and after clearing his liabilities had £150 left. Next, he paid £130 for the tenancy of the house and shop 2. Walton Vale,  Aintree, and opened as a china and ethenware dealer, securing working capital from a bank overdraft of £130 guaranteed by a relative, and from his football wages earned at weekends. New stock was continually required, and in September, 1928, he borrowed £13O from a moneylender, whose debt with interest was now £157 secured by a bill of sale on his furniture.
TROUBLE WITH LANDLORD
 In April, 1929, he sold the business for £350, with which he paid off practically all debts except the bank and the moneylender. The landlord, however, refused to accept the purchaser as tenant, and finally he sold the stock for £94, which he paid into the bank, where it was credited to the overdraft. The purchaser of the shop then instituted proceedings against him, and these were withdrawn on an agreement to pay off the claim, now £375, by instalments of £50, but he managed to pay only £35, and these bankruptcy proceedings ensued. After giving up the china business Fern secured employment as a barman, and since September, 1929, he has been an hotel manager in Myrtle Street, Liverpool, at £3 10s per week, out of which he consented to pay £1 a week to the Official Receiver. Last August, Dr. Baxter lent him £150 with which he paid his insurance premiums, an instalment to the petitioning creditor, and a portion into the bank . He still owed Dr. Baxter £130 the examination was closed. 

DEAN CANNOT PLAY TOMORROW
March 24 th 1931. Evening Express.
Everton leader Barred by International.
By the Pilot.
Dixie Dean will be absent from the Everton side for the first time since September 27 tomorrow when the Goodison Club play their rearranged League Game with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Wolverhampton. The choice is neither his nor the club's. By the ruling of the Football Association, a player selected for an International match cannot play in the week proceeding it, and as Dean will be England's leader against Scotland on Saturday, he must take an enforced rest. The Blues have an excellent chance of bring off another double, for when they Wolves visited Goodison Park in November, Everton won by four clear goals. They will, however, find the Wanderers a formidable obstruct in their efforts to secure two of the five points the Blues need to make certain of promotion.
The Everton team will not be selected until the directors meeting tonight, but I understand that Thomson will be fit to resume at left-back. Should he be fit it will help solve the problem confronting the selectors, for they will be able to move the versatile White to centre forward. White scored nine goals for the first team from inside right early in the season, and he secured 21 for the Central League team. It is probable that Lumberg, the former Wrexham and Welsh International full back will appear at left back for Wolves.
The probable teams are; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; Britton, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, White, Johnson, Stein. Wolves; Tootill; Lowton, Lumberg; Lax, Hollingworth, Rhodes; Crooke, Bottrill, Hartill, Deacon, Hetherington.

DEAN CANNOT PLAY V WOLVES TOMORROW
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 24 March 1931
A correspondent has brought to my notice a suggestion that "all the fuss I made over Dean's 200th goal has prevented him getting it."  This is in keeping with similar verdicts that I am to blame for Everton better to get on with their work of playing or writing. This much can be said: Far from Dean being upset by the 200th goal, he (and some other people) had no idea he had reached 199 goals, so how he could be effected by something he had not read until the late evening I cannot imagine Football reasoning’s do not always tally with law or sense. I have recently had two debates about handling cases, and in each case there was plain evidence that the rule regarding handling had not been read. They thought it was a foul because a ball was handled. The essence of the handling law is there for anyone to see: it must be intentional handling. 
ON THE SHELF “Meols Ever Blue" writes:—
 I have been an Everton supporter and a reader of your notes for as long as I can remember—it must be twenty years since I first championed the Blues. Now this is the first letter I have ever written during this time. I have quite a lot to say.  Was not the scoring of Everton’s hundredth goal delayed until Saturday to get the crowd? I know that lots of people, whose imaginations were worked up and played upon by the Press, went to the match solely to see the club chalk up one hundred.  Secondly, I am sorry, but I cannot bring myself to believe your statement that nobody, not even Dean himself, knew that he wanted one more goal to make his total two hundred. I did not know this myself. Right through the whole of the first half against Notts Forest it was apparent that the team wanted Dixie to score the first goal. At the time, I thought—foolishly, perhaps, —that it was to give him the honour of scoring the hundredth goal, and thus set the crowd alight with glee. But now I know! Don t you think the paper  should cater more for the thousands of  sportsmen who buy it, and print your  answers, teams, Zingari results, &c.,on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and not keep'  them over until Friday?  A nice gentleman and a neighbour!  (1) It is absurd to talk of the hundredth goal being held up for publicity sake. (2) I may not bring this correspondent to believe Dean did not, know. Well, it is not much use arguing. I can tell readers Dean did not know, and a number of people who thought they knew the mystery got the Dean total to 198—therefore they could not know! (3) Teams chosen on Wednesday have no chance in your team scheme, sir!

SIT STILL
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 25 March 1931
Bee’s Notes
“Two Bob” writes;- One wonders whether it is worthwhile troubling you about the misdeeds of the Everton misdirectors, but it has the satisfaction of getting it off one’s chest.  I have scarcely missed a home match of Everton for months, and the play of the team has been a delight to watch, especially since the half-back line included McClure and Gee. This line has been the mainstay of the side and the cause of the success of the forward line. It was therefore a shock when it was found that McClure bad been dropped for Britton. The latter is a good half-back in the making, but the time is not yet. He has not the strength or weight of McClure, and must suffer in consequence. To my mind, even if the latter was off his game at Tottenham, it is a shame to displace him after the storming games he has played. So much for the right-half position. The greater shock was to come, however, and when I read that  White, a centre-forward, mark you, was  to play left half, well, I wouldn't like  you to know what I thought. It is inconceivable that out of the entire half-backs Everton have on their book, a reserve centre-forward should be placed in the position. What about Griffiths, let alone the others? But this game was played to some tune last year, with the consequences so well known. Let us hope it will be nipped in the bud, or there might be a chance of Coggins playing outside left. 

EVERTON RES. V. BURNLEY R. 
Liverpool Echo- Wednesday 25 March 1931
Everton for their Central League game at Goodison Park introduced Sam Chedgzoy, a son of Sam Chedgsoy, in their halfback line.  Neither team was very impressive, but Everton showed better ball control, nor was it not long before they held the lead Webster netted from a corner kick.  Davies scored a second, and the same player added s third just on half-time.  Half-time.—Everton 3, Burnley Res. 0.

EVERTON F.C. FOR SWEDEN 
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 25 March 1931
TWO PLAYERS WHO HAVE “SWEEP" INTEREST 
Everton F.C. are going to tour Sweden. They leave on May 2, the last day of the season, and go direct from the match to five games clubs in Sweden and Norway.  Critchley and Rigby are in a syndicate of twenty Moreton residents who have drawn Ballasport in the Cotton Sweep for the Grand National. If this horse wins, the prize money would be in the neighbourhood of £350 for each of the twenty.

EVERTON TO GO ON TOUR
March 25 th 1931. Evening Express.
Visit to Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
Everton have agreed to tour Sweden, Denmark and Finland at the end of the season. The directors have decided to accept the offer for matches to be played at Stockholm, Helsingfors, Gothenburg and Copenhagen. All that remains is for the contracts to be completed.
Sports Pie
•  George Harrison, the Preston North End and Former Everton winger, requires one goal for his century of goals.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 3 EVERTON 1 (Game 34)-(Lge Game 3086 over-all)-(Div 1 3052)
March 26 th 1931`. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Everton Slip Back.
Goalkeeper's Errors at Wolverhampton
Forwards Fail with Light Ball.
By "Bee."
Everton lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers, at Wolverhampton, yesterday by 3 goals to 1. Two of the goals were presentations. It would seem that Coggins, the Everton goalkeeper, has lost touch with his form, because he was in error on two occasions; in the first case a simple header was attempted near the left wing by Beacon, and the ball which had little pace, must have been, in the estimation of Coggins, passing outside. He stuck out a foot, but was too late, and a goal was scored. Later Coggins went down to a ball that he should have taken cleanly, but when challenged by a forward the goalkeeper began to bore his way through some opponents. Coggins scrambled up and threw the ball to the feet of Bottrill, who easily scored. The game was Everton's for the asking for they were so much on top at the opening. They got a goal from a corner well taken by Stein, White (deputising for Dean, who was debarred from playing owning to the international match) heading the ball into the net, although in my estimation Tootrill was at fault in not handling as the ball came across the goalmouth.
Lack of Pace.
Having taken the lead, Everton should have been competent enough to beat this side, but allowing for goalkeeping failures on either side the result does not overestimate the preponderance of attack on the part of the winners. Everton lost because they were unable to show pace, and decision on a dry ground with a light ball. The change of turf seems to have upset the Everton forwards. They are unable to keep time with the swift movements of a side like Wolverhampton, who are not only sharp, but also, trustful. This is particularly noticeable at outside right and outside left. Critchley had a most extraordinary day. He was frequently falling foul of Referee Attwood. Critchley simply had nothing to do except contend with a lot of fouls, Stein had a good first half and a bad second half, but the Everton side, with the exception of the full backs, was below par even allowing for the endeavours of Thomson, Gee and Britton.
Hartill's Fine Goal.
Actually the only good goal in four was that which made the equaliser in thirty-three minutes. Hartill scoring a good shot after smart work on the right wing. The Everton forwards never really got down to their normal game, and Johnson and Dunn in particular, were working without effect. White deserves praise because he passed well in spite of his comrades. His heading was a feature in a game that was rather dull because on the one hand we had-go-ahead methods, and on the other the lax Everton side, and neither team in front of goal was value for a score, except in the case of Hartill. Wolverhampton played a reserve back and a reserve half-back; Shaw making his debut in the League in place of Lumberg, of Wrexham, gave an excellent show, Lax and Rhodes dour half-backs and the home wing men; Barraclough and Phillips in spite of the forgetfulness of the rules, were extremely dangerous until they were within shooting distance.
Williams Stands Out.
Williams did his best; in fact, I will say that this was one of the greatest games that Williams has played, Cresswell also delighted with his touches and his judgement against a facing five, but the 12,000 spectators knew that this defence, could not possibly home to hold out for four-fifths of the evening. There was no relief, however, and although Everton had taken the lead one sensed that the side was still suffering a cup-tie memory. It was a setback to Everton in the League championship desire, but it has its pointer for future reference. The goals were scored as Follows; White, thirteen minutes, Hartill thirty-three minutes, Deacon thirty-five minutes. Bottrill sixty minutes. In addition to which Phillips struck the bar when Coggins was beaten, this being the best shot of the match. Teams; Everton; Coggins, goal; Williams (captain) and Cresswell, backs; Britton, Gee, and Thomson, half-backs; Critchley, Dunn, White, Johnson, and Stein, forwards. Wolverhampton Wanderers- Tootill; goal; Lowton and Shaw, backs; Lax, Hollingworth, Rhodes, half-backs; Phillips, Botrill, Hartill, Dean Barraclough, forwards. Referee Mr. Attwood, Newport.

EVERTON RESERVES 4 BURNLEY RESERVES 0
March 26 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Central League (Game 35)
Everton Reserves beat Burnley Reserves by 4 goals to nothing in a Central League game at Goodison Park, yesterday. Play throughout was interesting with Everton the better finisher. In midfield Burnley did well, but when they got near Sagar their movements generally broke down. At the same time the last named brought of several fines saves from Gates Weaver, and Kelly. Everton had Chedgzoy a son of their old winger, a right-half, and he did well, Everton in the opening half got three goals through Webster and Davies (2) and in the second half, Webster also brought his total to two. Leyfield, the Everton left-winger, was hurt in the second half and retired. This was about fifteen minutes from the restart. For the winners, Martin, G. Davies, a local amateur who led the attack, and Griffiths were in the pick, the Welsh international feeding his front line splendidly. McCluggage was a stout defenders for Burnley and Weaver, the old Birkenhead boy, did good work on the wing. Everton; - Sagar, goal; Common and Cook, backs; Chedgzoy, Griffiths and McClure, half-backs; Wilkinson, Martin, Davies, Webster and Leyfield.

EVERTON FALTER AND LOSE TO ANOTHER MIDLAND SIDE
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 26 March 1931
Bee’s Notes
The Midlands is becoming Everton's bugbear. They had done so well against the side in the League games that while one “resected " West Brom and Wolves  there was no special fear about the  engagements. First the Cup defeat: and now the Wolves rub it in to no small tune. Actually the score-sheet looks ,black but when you know that two of  the goals should not have been scored  and that Everton led off with a goal  headed by White in Now fashion you  realize that this Wolves side was not  quite so good as the score suggests.  Actually the match could have ended 1-1, but I am not attempting to show Everton were luckless; it was rank bad play that brought them this defeat.  And it is plain to anyone with eyes to see, and eyes that are not blinded by the partisan spirit, that the side does not like this “Rattling the Reefer” sort of turf. They don't like to hear the ball swims and swish. The ball is a bounder, and lousy as sonic of these Wolves were, the ball was the greater trouble. It was hard to “kill” and hard to control. There was a life in it that prevented Everton showing their usual forward formula. Let us be fair to ourselves about this defeat. It was deserved, it was disheartening, and it showed us a black patch of Everton-methods and play. 
REDEMPTION 
The redeeming feature of the game was the way the versatile White played at centre-forward. He worked like a Trojan for no special purpose and no response. People are inclined to rail at White because the club picks him here, there, and everywhere. He can only go where he is told to go. And, at least, he has the football instinct, and at heart is a bonny footballer whose only crime today is an inclination to increasing weight. But he is not alone in that category. Stein was also a rousing forward for a time, but he eventually played down to the level of the rest of the line. Johnson has quite lost his form, and. to his every-lasting credit, he is the only footballer have ever heard say to his comrades. "Sorry, but I know I’m playing terrible stuff." This is just about the moat sporting thing I have ever heard from a race of professors to whom praise is merely just chatter, whereas criticism is always carping or unfair! Well done. Johnson; at least, you are frank and fair to yourself. Would there were more like you. Ben Williams gave one of his best and hardest displays. He has always done ably but not notably. Here he was able and notable. His work came in lumps and bumps because these Midland wingers are nothing if not naughty. It seems to be in their blood -they enjoy a buffet and many of the Everton fellows had reason to complain.  Yet the referee who strolled through this game was Mr. Attwood, who is to tackle the Scotland-England match at Hampden on Saturday.  Perhaps he was saving his stamina (per leg) and exercising his whistle.
GOAL-GRANT
Everton need not go into the despair region through this defeat; it is a token that they cannot enjoy, or play on, the hard turf, and that the pace of the attack is reduced by these conditions.  The inside forwards hung back a good deal, and there was a patent lack of fire and “shot-range" from the whole frontal attack. Critchley spent most of his tune wondering how the referee could give free kicks against him. The turning point of play, however, came when Coggins stuck out a foot to a ball he must have believed was passing outside. It passed inside. The second fault was a loose pick up of a simple shot. The ball bumped and Coggins went down to it. He was challenged, and when he rose to his feet he acted, water polo fashion, throwing the ball away. His throw was too accurate in its flight—it went straight to Bottrill, who said "Thank you" and put the ball into the empty net. Things went very awry.  Britton was "ditched” in a Grand National manner by a testy forward, and Cresswell wanted to re-dress on the field of play, but the referee sent him off to get his new pair of pants adjusted.  Manager Jones and company missed the return “boat," not to mention a misère or two, and, generally speaking, this night-match had never the atmosphere one desired. The Wolves' people played another Shaw—and a great little back he proved himself to be. He was taking Lumberg’s place, and the Wrexham people will be surprised to know that their old favourite full-back is likely to leave Wolverhampton. He was out yesterday through cold; he may be out of Second Division football for First Division football in a very quick time. I liked the meeting of old friends of the Midlands, none the least the quiet finalists, West Bromwich, and a colleague of a standing that makes me feel awkward. He is still at Wolverhampton, this Griffith, aged 77, and remembering with ease that in 1898 I met him at a semi-final tie there when Daddy Holt and others of the Everton side were thinking of final tie honors v. Derby County. 

NOT THE REAL EVERTON
March 26 th 1931. Evening Express.
Blues find test Ball too lively
By the Pilot
Everton gave their poorest display of the season at Wolverhampton last night, and deserved their defeat by 3-1. The main reason for their defeat was that the Blues are not a hard ground team. Since the conditions have changed Everton have lost much of their power. The Wolves are experimenting with a new type of ball, Everton wished they had not, it was lively and small, and added to be difficulties of the played, but it stands to the credit of the Wanderers that they could gave lessons to the Blues in the matter of ball control. The truth is that the confidence of the Blues has been badly shaken. The players feel it. They are going through one of those periods when they cannot strike true form, which strove to pull a ragged line together, but only Stein responded. For Critchley it was a nightmare match, every time he touched the ball he was pulled up for a foul. The half-backs were below standard. The bright spot in the team was the backs. Williams and Cresswell tackled and kicked splendidly against a nippy attack.

WILL EVERTON GET BACK ON FORM?
March 27 th 1931. Evening Express.
They should beat Stoke, but-
By the Pilot.
Everton have struck a bad patch, and their visit to Stoke ground cannot be viewed with any confidence. The shock of their Cup-tie defeat has unsettled the team, and as Dean will be an absentee, Everton's task is all the harder. White, who deputizes again for Dean, has plenty of experience in the Centre-forward position, and he should make a capable substitute. In the Stoke game at Goodison Park Everton won by five clear goals, I expect them to complete the double, but the winning margin is likely to be much narrower. Everton are fielding the identical side which lost at Wolverhampton –on Wednesday, which means that Britton will again appear at right half instead of McClure. Stoke have had only a moderate season, and figure in the lower half of the table. A win for the Blues tomorrow will mean that they will require only three more points for promotion, should West Brom beat the Spurs'. Teams, Everton; Coggins, Williams, Cresswell; Britton, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, White, Johnson, Stein. Stoke City; Lewis; McGrory, Spencer; Armitage, Jackson, Sellar; Liddle, Bussey, Kirkham, Sale, Archibald.

EVERTON GO TO THE POTTERS
Liverpool Echo - Friday 27 March 1931
Bee’s Notes
Everton go to Stoke for the first time for a generation. -They went twenty-six years ago for a Cup semi-final; they now go to a side we saw fighting its way through the morass of replayed Cup-ties (at Anfield versus Manchester United). That day Stoke struck us as a rather elderly side, and when they collapsed in the score-card after having taken the lead one remembered that age can stale and custom wither the older footballer. Whither yon go you find that Everton have been showing a staying power that is not common, and I feel that here is a game they will win, either by waiting or by the sure-touch of the forwards—always remembering that they cannot hope to be so bad in front of goal as they were in the semi-final tie.  The team has already shown that it has forgotten the Cup blow. I think they are sure to win at Stoke against a side that is hard, but not too clever, and whose forward line should be held tight.  It is up to the Everton forwards to do their bit to-morrow.  Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; Britton, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, White, Johnson, Stein. 

EVERTON A GOAL DOWN AT STOKE
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 28 March 1931
LIDDLE SCORES AT THIRTEENTH MINUTE-THE BLUES DISJOINTED
By stork
Everton; Coggins; Williams, Cresswell; Britton, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, Dunn, White, Johnson, Stein.  Stoke City; Lewis; McGrory, Spender; Armitage, Jackson, Sellars; Liddle, Bussey, Kirkham, Sale, Archibald.  Referee; Mr. J. Cresswell, Blackburn
The ground looked well, but, was not of the type to which Everton are used, and the early moments of the game told me many things, one of them being that Stoke were desperately keen to take down this great Everton team, and it must be admitted that they showed life and fire in their game.  The ball played all manner of tricks, bounded here and there like a nymph, and led several of the Everton men to do nothing with it, so there were many faulty passes and also miskicks. For fully a quarter of an hour the Stoke goalkeeper had had nothing at all to attend to. On the other hand, Stoke were a very live farce. They swung the ball about in a manner which was disconcerting to Everton.  Thomson, in particular, was all at sea during the first ten minutes, Liddle and Bussey beating him time and again, while the ball also often proved an elusive pimpernel to this Scot.  Kirkham, the home centre forward,  was early in the field with a shot which,  however, was of a simple type, and  caused Coggins no serious thought, but  as the game wore on the Stoke attack  worked itself well into the Everton goal  area, and several " possible " were  missed.  Kirkham should have scored early, but the greatest miss of the day so far was made by Bussey, who was left standing with the ball at his feet five yards out of goal with only Coggins to face him. Here was a goal for the asking, but Bussey only half-hit his shot, and Coggins was able to pick up the trickling ball as it came towards him. 
LIDDLE LEADS
However, the 13th minute proved fatal to Everton, for it was at that point that Stoke took a goal lead. The making of it started on the Stoke left wing, and when Britton failed to get to grips with Archibald and Sellars, it gave the little winger an opportunity to get in a centre that travelled right across the goal face.  Liddle had a notion that here was an opportunity, and he closed in, trapped the ball cleverly, and then sent it rattling-into the far corner of the net, what time Coggins was standing at the other side.  Naturally this goal gave Stoke a tremendous lot of heart, and their supporters were not shy in recognizing their good work, and many dangerous goal incidents followed.  Everton could not get working in their usual strong manner, and when White was about to burst his way through he found himself inveigled in the offside trap, just as Kirkham had done when Cresswell “slipped it across him." 
Than Everton, and they certainly battled against the conditions with more accuracy than their opponents. Everton made one of their few attacks, and Stein offered a shot which was headed away by McGrory.  This led to a couple of corners, the  first one of which Dunn tried to glide  through with his head, but the best he  got out of it was another corner, and  although this brought pressure to bear  on the Stoke defenders they were equal  to all the demands made upon them. 
EVERTON DISJOINTED 
Kirkham is very quick into his stride, and it took Cresswell and Williams between them all their time to hold him at bay, in fact a hand was brought into use to prevent this fiery leader from taking a goal. He got a corner instead, and this led to a furious tussle in front of the Everton goal. The wind and the bounce of the ball, simply refused to let Everton play their normal game.  Those intricate little movement, for which they are famous were missing.  There were just dashes of the old Everton in some of their play, but it was Stoke who enjoyed the bulk of the attack, and their straight-forward methods brought them more chances than all the finery which Everton could bring out of their bag.  Goals were Stoke's first consideration:  it made no matter how they came or whence they came, and Sale made a great header that was just tipped over the bar.  Coggins, as compared with his confrere  at the other end, had quite a  bundle of work to do, some of it awkward  stuff, some of It simple, but there was  no getting away from the fact that Stoke  were the more dangerous and progressive  side.  Stoke persisted in their attack, and had yet another chance to obtain a second goal but hesitancy on the part of Kirkham who preferred to dribble rather than take a shot, stopped him.  Cresswell was thankful that Kirkham preferred a dribble for he was able to edge him away from the goal, and therefore make his chance of scoring smaller. 
LIDDLE BAULKED 
Liddle, having sampled the sweets of one goal, tried his luck to add to his list, but the wind got hold of his drive and carried the ball away from the goal and into the crowd Lewis, the Stoke goalkeeper, showed a clean pair of hands when he caught a centre from Stein, and, although challenged by Johnson, tapped the ball away, and went on to make a perfect clearance.  This was the end of a first half which had not shown Everton up in a very good light. As a matter of fact, it was not a half to enthuse over, for the amount of clever football was infinitesimal.  Perhaps Everton would do better when they would be kicking into the win.  Half-time; Stoke 1, Everton nil.   
EVERTON CRASH
STOKE CITY REDUCE THE LEADERS
LIDDLE AND BUSSEY
HOME SIDE DESERVES THE SPOILS
Everton are not dryland sailors.  The ground at Stoke troubled them no end. In fact, Everton never got into their stride.  The bound of the ball and the wind took all their science from them, and at the conclusion Stoke were worthy winners.  Liddle and Bussey were Stoke’s scorers, but all through the Pottery side had shown superior pace and more straightforward methods, and adapted themselves to the awkward conditions more readily than did Everton. In the first halt Liddle scored, there was no change in character of the game in the second half, for Everton had not yet fathomed the intricacies of the turf, ball, and wind.  Their passes went awry, and their combined efforts were of such poor quality that the Stoke goalkeeper had very little to do.  Yet it was Lewis who made the best  save of the day, and if he had been  beaten by Johnson's shot no one could  have quibbled, for Johnson hit a  ferocious drive with his left foot, and  the ball was actually going away from  Lewis when he flung himself at it and  punched it out towards Critchley. It was truly a magnificent save.  Critchley returned the ball goalwards, and White tried to make it into a goal but without success. Stein went crashing through, but fell over McGrory, and a little later Lewis prevented the Everton outside-left from working clean through for an equalizing goal.  Everton actually had got the ball into the Stoke net through Critchley, but the goal was negative because the shooter was alleged to have been offside.  To my mind it was a very thin decision. Stoke, like Everton, could not find a hefty drive, yet Coggins was  responsible for stopping Kirkham when  that player drove hard and straight for  goal, the effort only being saved at the  second attempt. 
BUSSEY INCREASES 
At thirty-six minutes Stoke went further ahead through a goal by Bussey.  It was Liddle who made the opening possible, for it was following a fine centre of his that Bussy was able to gather the ball and slash home a strong drive. The Everton goal had a near sweep when Coggins was beaten by Kirkham, the ball going over the goalkeeper's head and bouncing towards his goal. Fortunately it travelled a yard on the wrong side of the upright.  Final; Stoke City 2, Everton 0

EVERTON RES V ASTON VILLA RES
Liverpool Echo-Saturday, March 28, 1931
Villa revealed practical and constructive footwork, but were too individualistic early on.  Consequently, Everton’s defence was able to effect clearances many times when danger was imminent.  Sagar saved from Chesters and Stephenson, but Brown succeeded in getting a second chance to open Villa’s score after twenty-five minutes.  Everton’s attack was spasmodically dangerous and although Biggleston did make a brilliant save from Martin Everton were not convincing forward.  Chester scored a second for the Villa. Half-time; Villa Res 2, Everton Reserves 0.  In the second half Brown (2) and Stevenson scored for Villa and Mayfield (Think this is Leyfield-BC) for Everton.  Tunstall scored Villa’s seventh goal and martin Everton’s third.  Final; Everton Res 3, Aston Villa Res 7. 
SKELMERSDALE U V EVERTON A
Corry saved from Hallen and again from Collier.  Arden shot behind with Corry beaten.  Corry fisted out from Fisher, and Woods placed the ball behind.  Skelmersdale attacked strongly, but Parker cleared splendidly on several occasions.  Arden was unlucky in not scoring when he hit the post with a fast shot.  Half-time; Skelmersdale United 0, Everton A 0. 

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo-Saturday, March 28 1931

STOKE CITY 2 EVERTON 0
March 30 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Everton Lack sting.
Players, Beaten by Bounce of Ball.
Stoke City Adopt the Right Tactics.
By "Stork."
It is now proved beyond doubt that Everton cannot act on the hard ground, for their display at stoke was one of the poorest they have played this season. If they had been beaten by a good side no one could have caviled, but Stoke were just a moderater combination who adopted the right tactics, found the speed, and two shots which were sufficient to account for the leaders. Everton were never together. They lacked punch in front of goal, and could not fathom the bound of the ball, while their passes were of such a character that the Stoke men picked up most of them and turned them to account. It was astonishing to see so many fine players completely beaten by the bound of the ball, but more annoying was the lack of shooting. Everton could only lay claim to one decent shot throughout the whole of the ninety minutes, and but for the magnificent save by Lewis a goal would have resulted, for Johnson's shot was not only of tremendous power but was going away from the goalkeeper, who however, pounced across his goal and thumped the ball away.
Curious Decisions.
Everton did place the ball into the net, but White was adjudged offside, when Critchley shot. It was a peculiar decision, for I saw a full-back standing on the goal-line along with Lewis throughout the whole of the incident. The referee said "no goal," so there it ended. I have not seen Everton so ineffective for many a long day, but that is because they were not operating on their own ground. The mud of Goodison may be difficult to work upon, but it has given Everton many victories for whereas Everton cannot work on the top of the ground; visitors to Walton have floundered and fallen because of the heavy going. Everton had hoped for rain. They got it at Stoke, but not in sufficient quantities, for the morning drizzle had no effect upon the turf, and from the start it was apparent that Everton were going to be hard pressed. They never tackled the situation as their opponents had done. The sweeping pass and the quick tackle was their undoing.
Forwards too Slow.
Stoke never attempted to the intra-scientific, but made straight for goal by the quickest routs, but even they faltered when they reached the penalty area. Cresswell and Williams and Gee kept plugging the ball up to their forwards, but it was all to no purpose, for these forwards who had been the bane of goalkeepers, were too slow. The wingmen were fast enough, but did not get the scope to use they speed, and when I think of the lumbering McGorory, a veteran who had lost his pace, and the speed of Stein, I could see the full back being "murdered," but he never was for the ball was kept away from the outside edges and confirmed to the middle, where none of the inside men can be called fast. White never really got a good pass –the ball was too often in the air –and with a tall half-back against him, White was then out-headed in fact the forward line was ragged. It has no punch about it, and but for one brief spell the Stoke defence was always its master. I would not lay any blame on Coggins, Williams, Cresswell and Gee, for these men did their level best; in fact Cresswell because so "cross" with the efforts of his forwards that he went up among them more than once.
Much Room for Improvement.
Everton are still in a good position in the League table, but they will have to produce something better than this if they are to gain the championship of their division. They have not won the League yet, and while I think that they will because of their home matches, I cannot imagine them collecting many points on foreign grounds unless they make a marked improvement. I agree that the ball was difficult to play, but if Stoke were able to do it, then surely Everton should have been capable of doing so, for man for man. Everton were the more skilful, but whereas they waited for the ball, the Stoke players went for it and often took it away from opponents. Stoke were fiery. Although they missed a couple of early chances, Liddle and Bussey were able to make up for those defienceies. Kirkham was fast, if not a perfect leader, but I would award the half-backs the palm for this great –the Stoke people thought it was a great win –victory. This was Stoke's first win at home since February 2 nd . Teams; - Everton; - Coggins, goal; Williams (captain) and Cresswell, backs; Britton, Gee, and Thomson, half-backs; Critchley, Dunn, White, Johnson and Stein, forwards. Stoke City; - Lewis, goal; McGrory and Spencer backs; Armitage, Jackson, and Sellers, half-backs; Liddle, Bussey Kirkham Sale, and Archibald, forwards. Referee Mr. J Caswell, Blackburn.

DEAN ENGLAND CAP
March 30 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
England lost to Scotland at Glasgow, before nearly 130,000 spectators, at Hampton Park.
Dean hardly got a ball to his toe all day from wing men or half-backs. Thus his position was an awkward and unenviable one. "By Bees"

EVERTON RESERVES 3 ASTON VILLA RESERVES 7
March 30 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Central League (Game 36)
Everton were not as much overplayed as the score might suggest –still, as a team they played mediocre football, and the Villa deserved their victory. Everton had their chances, but against a sturdy defence were hesitant. The losers were often hammering the Midlanders' defence, but with the exception of Martin, the front line was not convincing, and more often than not half a yard slower than the visitor's defences. The home defenders also had their lapses, and generally it was a poor day for Everton collectively. The scorers in the first half were Brown and Chester for the Villa, and after the interval goals came with surprising regularity –Brown (2) Stepheson (2) and Tunstall for the winners, and Webster, Leyfield and Martin scoring for Everton.
Skelmersdale United 0 Everton "A" 0
Lord Wavertree Cup
Everton gave a trial to Speakman, a Skelmersdale youth who has also attracted the attention of Southport, for whom he has played in the Lancashire Combination. He did fairly well. Collier and Woods, Skelmersdale players were injured. Everton later had more of the game, but the Skelmersdale defence held out. Parker Everton's right back, was in excellent form.

EVERTON A WET GROUND TEAM
March 30 th 1931. Evening Express.
March has been a Costly Month.
League Defeats Doubled.
Ball Their Master at Stoke
By the Pilot.
Everton on a wet ground and Everton on a dry ground are two different teams. The results this month have proved them to be essentially a wet ground side. During March they have lost three League games and a Cup game while during the first six months of the season, when wet grounds were the rule, they were only on the losing side three times. No team in the country has had better command of the ball on the wet pitches, but on the dry grounds the ball appears to have mastered them. The sooner the muddy grounds return the better it will be for Everton, who under present conditions are not the Everton we know them to be. The players themselves are anxious for the return of wet pitches. They struck another hard ground at Stoke, and gave another inglorious exhibition. Stoke City were by no means a good side, but they deserved their two clear goals' victory.
Match of Mistakes.
A shall remember the game as being the match of mistakes. I saw more passes go astray in this 90 minutes than I have seen in hours of football this season. Everton's chief trouble was an inability to trap the ball quickly –the same fault was apparent at Wolverhampton –and the hopeless exploitation of an exaggerated "W" formation. Gone was the craft and artistry of the attack, the keen constructive ideas of the intermediates, and the general understanding between departments. In its place we saw raggedness and elementary effort. Stoke quite a moderate combination, showed up well in the first half just because they were snappy on the ball and used it speedily.
Critchley Starved.
Everton' best plan was to use the extreme wingers as much as possible. They rarely did it. Critchley never touched the ball for the first twenty minutes. Critchley and Stein did well when given the chances, but Johnson and Dunn hung too far back up the field. I sympathized with White in the centre, because he never received one workable pass, and even when he did head to position there was no one there to take it. Gee, except for his propensity to feed the left in preference to the right, was the pick of the half-backs. He was a strong tackler and kept the ball low. Neither Britton, nor Thomson convinced. The backs were good. It was fortunate for Everton that they were. Williams made a few mistakes either in getting the ball or parting with it, and Cresswell suffered in comparison only because he took things rather too coolly at times. Coggins brought off several good saves and had no chance with the shots, which beat him. Everton have certainly struck a bad patch. I do not attribute it to their Cup defeat, for that has never been taken to heart. The fact is that they are definitely a wet ground team.
Sports Pie
Everton, when they return from their match at Bristol on Friday, will stay the night at Shreswbury, completing the journey to Liverpool for the Bradford match.

WHY EVERTON LOST 
Liverpool Echo-Monday, March 30 1931
By Stork
"Rain, rain, come again" should be sung by Everton followers for the remainder of the season, for without its patter and its effect upon the earth, the Everton team is only a shadow of its former self. Ever since the arrival of  the dry weather Everton's displays have  fallen to mediocre, and not until the  bone has left the ground do I anticipate  a return to their early-season form.  They want rain. They sigh for it, for they know in their own hearts that they are not good on the top of the ground, and the value of the "new” turf at Goodison Park has never been more patent. It may pull off their boots and strain their tendons, but it has its compensations in the fact that it has helped Everton to many victories this season. Everton are sea dogs. They must plough the trough of mud before  they can give of their best. This has been apparent since the "dry" season set in, and it was amplified at Stoke, where Everton could not master the bound of the ball.  Where Everton used to be strong they are now weak, for the forward line has lost its punch. It is not the scoring  machine of a few weeks ago; In fact, there is no deadliness in it at the  moment, and I doubt if they would have  scored against Stoke if they bad played  on to Doomsday. This may appear harsh criticism, but it is warranted, for throughout the ninety minutes only one scoring shot was levelled at Lewis, and a mighty save this goalkeeper made.
A MATTER OF TACTICS 
I would snap my fingers at this defeat if Stoke could be claimed a good side, but they were not. They were, however, a much faster set of men, a  more adaptable collection, and with  Everton mesmerized by the frolics of  the lively ball, Stoke went on to  " steal " a victory which should never  have been theirs if Everton had altered  their course sad met Stoke, steel with  steel.  Here we had two fast wingmen, one pitted against an old man as footballers go, who should have been “murdered," for Stein could give McGrory yards in the matter of pace, but Instead of the ball being flung out to the wing it was booted into the middle, where pace was at a premium. It was all wrong, and was only rectified late on when Stein and Critchley, particularly the former, were offered the ball.  If you had been at the Victoria ground, reader, you would not have thought it was Everton you were watching, for these bewildering players of a short while ago could do nothing right. They never fathomed the ball's conjuring acts. It was an imp that would simply not do as requested. It was no use trying to coax it, it had to be thrashed, and as it was Stoke who did the thrashing it was only right and proper that they were the ones to be obeyed.  Everton did place the ball in the Stoke net, but just before Critchley shot White had been given offside. How  this could be with a full back standing  on the goal line along with his goalkeeper  is a puzzle, but I am not going  to get into any more controversies, but  will content myself with the knowledge  that the referee's opinion is as good as  mine, if not better in an argument, for  it carries the day.

WHY ON WHY?
Liverpool Echo-Tuesday, March 31 1931
Bee’s Notes
“B.A Sports” writes;
After seeing the match at Preston between the Rovers and Lincoln it has left me wondering, and, knowing your unique fund of the knowledge of football possessed by few, I hope you will pardon a plain question through your columns-Why did Everton part with Meston? 

  1. First goal was from a perfect centre from Meston
  2. Second goal was from a well-placed corner from Meston
  3. Third goal a brilliant individual effort by Meston

He did not waste one centre during the course of a needle game, and, from observation of most of the games at Goodison this season, there is a niche there he could fill with credit and advantage E.F.C.  Thanks you for your perusal of these comments, I remain, as ever a keen admirer of a fearless critic, “The Bee.” 
A BENEFIT FOR DEAN
Among the benefits sanctioned by the League are those of “Dixie” Dean (Everton), J. McMullen (Manchester City), and N. Bullock (Bury). 

March 1931