Everton Independent Research Data

 

TAKES HIS BENEFIT
Dundee Courier - Wednesday 02 November 1927
Troup, of course, is no stranger to the Scottish team; he has already five “caps,” to his credit.  The ex-Dundee player has been showing splendid form in the much improved Everton side this season, and has played a big part in the team’s advance.  Incidentally Troup takes a benefit this season, this being his fifth season at Goodison Park; he is assured of a “bumper.” 

RESERVES MEET AN AVALANCE
Burnley Express - Wednesday 02 November 1927
EVERTON RESERVES (4) 11, BURNLEY (0) 0
Griffiths scored after 15 minutes, White adding another a minute later.  Easton scored in the 40th minute and Houghton just on half-time.  Easton, Houghton and White (3) added further points before a Burnley defender put through his own goal.  Irvine completed the scoring near the finish. 
WELL TROUNCED
Burnley Reserves were well beaten at Goodison on Saturday when the home side found the net 11 times without response from the visitors.  The home defence was too strong for the Turf Moorites when they did manage to cross the half-way line, but for the greater portion of the second half they were penned in their own quarters.  Everton’s halves maintained a steady supply of passes to the forwards, who were in sparkling mood, Irvine who played in the international at Belfast yet is not considered good enough for the first team by the Everton directorate, was an inspiration to the Goodison forwards, who never slackened a relentless pace and well rubbed-in an obvious advantage. 
THE GAME
Rooney held up the first attack of the afternoon, Burnley finding him and Bain great stumbling blocks.  Down had to run out to catch a fine shot from Irvine and later had to punch out another effort from the same player.  Everton played pretty and effective football and had the better of the exchanges, Griffiths and White putting them two up.  Griffiths took a free kick for the homesters, but Down made a great save.  Pollard wasted one of the few Turf Moor chances by shooting wide in front of goal but later forced a corner in clever style.  Easton scored for the home side, and then Weston dallied instead of trying first-time methods, and another chance was lost.  Houghton put on number four before half-time.  Down, on the resumption, made two grand saves from Dickie and Irvine, but was hurt in a collision with White.  He resumed pluckily, but was beaten three times in five minutes by Easton, Houghton and White.  The latter player quickly added two further goals and then a visiting defenders put through his own goal before Irvine completed the scoring.  Team;- Burnley; Down; Knox, Flack; Spargo, Combes, Nicholls; Burnley, Pollard, Richards, Dougall (P), and Weston. 

EAST SELECTION AT GOODISON PARK
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 02 November 1927
Bee’s Notes
“Same again, sir, please”; that is the ‘phoned statement from Goodison Park. They say please, you’ll notice; not that it uncommon; they take one moment over an eleven that has had no change save through the damage to Irvine and the representative calls upon Dean.  Everton, indeed are happy in the thought that the team battling against relegation is now battling for the highest honour in the land.  Leicester City may trouble them some, because whereas Portsmouth had nothing but speed to recommend them Leicester have not only speed but also a great deal of football sense.  With McLaren, the former Bradford City goalkeeper, keeping goal at Goodison, the very best shots are required.  McLaren was sought by Everton as soon as he played a great game against Liverpool in a cup-tie, but the Yorkshireshire side would not part. 

CLUB THAT MISSED DEAN
Birmingham Daily Gazette - Friday 04 November 1927
It is not generally known that Burnley could have acquired England’s centre-forward, Dean before Everton signed him on, for Cross, the Burnley inside-left, is an old Birkenhead schoolboy, and he brought news to the officials of his club that it would be to their interest to have Dean on the staff.  Tranmere Rovers were approached, but the Burnley authorities thought the transfer fee too high.  Everton of course have developed hi since he made Goodison Park his home, and he is now fit to be ranked in the same class as any other of the great Everton centres of bygone days- Geary, Southworth, Cameron, and Freeman- and I had the pleasure of seeing them all at their best.

EVERTON’S EFFORT TO STAY ON TOP
Liverpool Echo - Friday 04 November 1927
Bee’s Notes
Leicester City- a good side a Goodison side-Joke!-pardon, it was quite uninterntional.  Leicester City are speed merchants with necessary touch of skill and determination.  They are better than their record suggests.  Everton may be worse; I have not seen all their games, but I have men their away games and each of these should have been won- no question of vain regrets; merely a statement of claim.  They won where many would have lost last week; the urge to win was great in the Southern side and Everton refused to be rattled.  However, there were those who thought it took Everton a long time to win.  That was a fair statement of what occurred.  What then of to-morrow, against a side of Leicester’s class?  It is an open matter; but the story circulated about Dixie Dean being unable to play through being “black and blue all over” is fortunately not correct.  Mr. McIntosh says “Take no notice of it.”  Well, one can hardly do that, the matter is of so much importance.  People will go to Goodison to-morrow to give a hearty welcome to the team that is at the moment on top; they will give a grip to the man who has scored in every League match save one- v. Liverpool.  They will go there to see Everton win; take it from me it is a big task to-morrow.  When these sides have been going an hour and a half you will agree with me.  Everton; Taylor; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Leicester City; McLaren; Black, Osborne; Findley, Watson, Carr; Adcock, Hine, Chandler, Lockhead, Barry. 

LEICESTER AT GOODISON
November 5 th 1927. The Daily Courier.
Everton take the field today in all their glory as leaders of the First division and even without this undoubtedly stimulus they are good enough to gave Leicester City a dribbling at Goodison park. The Blues, who will of course be at full strength, are playing like champions at the moment, and it would take a very smart team indeed to hold them on their own ground today. Everton's meeting with Leicester City promised at first to provide a first class exposition of the soccer code, with a stern resistance by the visitors to the Blues dashing forwards –and little separating the sides at the close. Since the Leicester fellows, however, have had some trouble in collecting a team for today, it may not be such a close match after all. Watson, Leicester's regular centre half, who's job it would be to look after Dean, if he could, has developed by leg trouble, and Bishop and Corrigan are also on the casualty list. The pivotal position was still untenanted late last night, and may be filled at the last moment.
DEMON FIGHTERS.
Leicester, when at full strength play attractive football, and can fight like demons as well on foreign territory. They have, however, been beaten once in the last three away engagements, but a point was gained from each of the others. The Goodison park lot seem to take little stock of where they play these days. The result is always the same; goals –and more goals. Their last three matches at Goodison Park supplied them sixth has nothing to do with this story. Everton should win today, and should keep a grasp on the leadership for some time to come. Kick-off is at 2.45, and the teams are as follows: - Everton: - Taylor; Cresswell, O'Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup. Leicester City: - McLaren; Black, Osborne; Findlay, AN Other, Carr, Adcock, Hine, Chandler, Lochhead, Barry.

EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 05 November 1927
THE LEAGUE LEADERS AT HOME
LEICESTER CITY SHOW
“STORK” TALK ON FIRST HALF DISPLAY
Everton; Taylor; Cresswell (Captain), O’Donnell; Brown, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Leicester City; McLaren; Black, Osborne; Findlay, Carregan, Carr; Adcock, Hine, Chandler, Lockhead, Barry.  Referee.- Mr. R. Bowie, Newcastle-on-Tyne. 
It was unfortunate that the rain started just prior to the beginning of the match, because Everton’s game with Leicester City was considered likely to produce a good contest.  Naturally the ground was in a treacherous condition, which made it awkward for the players to keep their feet, while there was no life in the ball when it reached the turf.  The attendance at the start was small, but there was every indication that it would increase as the game proceeded.  In recent times- last Saturday was an exception- Everton had formed the habit of striking an early blow to their opponents, and such was the case to-day. 
WELDON’S GREAT GOAL
Within two minutes the had taken the lead through a great goal by Weldon, though really it was Dean who made the chance possible, for it was his overhead kick that MacLaren pushed out to Troup, who slipped the ball inside for his partner, who shot at a tremendous pace, the ball speeding into the net with Maclaren well out of position.  It was noticed that Brown deputized for Kelly, who is resting his sprained thigh muscle.  Leicester’s half back line, which, by the way, was composed of reserve men, had a ball spell for some minutes, but McLaren was not tested as he should have been, considering the power of Everton’s attack.  When the City found a way through Everton’s strong middle line, Hine was soon on the job with a powerful shot, which, however, went away from the goal. 
EXERCISE FOR TAYLOR
Everton overcame this difficulty, and carried play into the Leicester territory, where Dean was found operating at outside left, and his fine centre was only blocked out by the rather fortune intervention of Black.  Chandler, who has not had the best of luck with his shooting, gave Taylor a pretty severe shot to cope with, and it was good to see the way Taylor handled the greasy ball. 
MACLAREN’S TIP.
Maclaren, not to be outdone, made an equally fine save when Weldon sent Dean on a journey for goal.  Dean’s shot was a beauty, but McLaren timed it to a fraction and cleverly tipped it over the bar.  Everton for some time were chiefly concerned round the Leicester goal, and Weldon, who was playing beautiful constructive football, opened the way for Critchley, whose centre, however, was just a shade too high for Dean, while it was also a shade too fast for Alec Troup to keep in play. Brown was backing up in clever fashion; in fact, the whole of the Everton half back line was grand.  The same could not be said of Leicester’s trio, who found the opposition attack much too subtle for them.  Leicester found it difficult to get moving.  Even their two brilliant wingers, Barry and Adcock were unable to utilize their speed, such was the high standard set by the wing halves and the full-backs.  Dean tried another over-head kick, and he nearly took Maclaren by surprise, and had to make three efforts before he got rid of the danger which Dean’s effort had brought. M the spectators did not like Leicester’s methods of defence.  Black and Osborne kicked into touch under the slightest provocation.  They were entitled to do it, of course, but there were times when it would have been advisable to keep the ball in play, for it lost them ground on several occasions.
HEADER BY DEAN.
It was just the right type of day to chance a shot, but it had to be in good direction to count, and that could not be said of an effort by Hart, who was well wide of the mark.  On the other hand, an effort by Chandler after he had side-stepped O’Donnell, was the acme of perfection, and Taylor, although he could not hold it, did the next best thing.  He kept it out of the net. Then came two minutes in which Everton scored two goals to bring their score to 3-0.  Their second goal was due to unselfishness on the part of Troup.  He was fully entitled to try his luck, for although his angle was somewhat acute, he could have scored, but rather than take the risk he put the ball across the goalmouth, and Dean, moving up a little, put his head to the ball and it was in the net what time McLaren had been covering Troup. 
WELDON –THEN TROUP
This goal was cheered to the echo, and when Weldon found a ball coming back to him from a defender he scored a third.  The joy in the Everton camp was now complete.  I saw Leicester against Liverpool a few weeks ago.  Their finishing on that occasion was not good- it was no better to-day, for when they got a chance they were not quick enough to snap it up.  Lockhead once raised the hope of his side when he ran close in, but the best he could do was to hit the side netting.  A three-goal lead was quite good, but no doubt many called to mind the game of last year when the Blues held a similar lead at the interval, and were then beaten, so they were not taking any risks to-day, and when Dean made another curious drive, MacLaren could do no more than pat it out for Troup to return it before he could recover.  Dean had another great shot saved, and Chandler headed tamely into Taylor’s hands.  Troup was left practically wide open during the whole of the half, so it was not surprising he had a jot day, and but for MacLaren, Dean would have had more than one goal.  I have never seen Leicester so completely outclassed. 
AND THEN CRITCHLEY
Everton went further ahead when Critchley scored at the 41st minute.  MacLaren out his foot out to stay the ball’s progress, but was unsuccessful.  Leicester’s weakness was undoubtedly at centre half.  Carrigan could do nothing with Dean, while Carr and Findlay were very little better.  When saying this, it is not my desire to take away any praise due to Everton’s inside forwards who played entrancing football on a turf ion which it seemed impossible.  Black and Osborne were not faultless, but that was not to be expected, for they had too much work thrown upon the.  Half-time, Everton 5, Leicester City 0. 
GOODISON TRAGEDY
Man, who collapsed and died on the stands at Goodison Park this afternoon, has been identified as Mr. Butt, of Overbury-street, Liverpool.  He was conveyed to the Stanley Hospital.  An elderly man dropped dead in the upper deck of the stand at the Stanley Park end of Goodison Park to-day.
SHOWER GOALS AT GOODISON PARK
LEICESTER OUTCLASSED
DEAN 3, WELDON 2, TROUP AND CRITCHLEY
It needed a goal to liven Leicester up.  They got one at the fifty-third minute when Chandler headed past Taylor from an Adcock centre.  From that point the City attack and defence showed more zip than it had done throughout the first half, and Hine drove a great shot at Taylor; and with the goalkeeper unable to hold it, Lockhead dashed in to try and added a second.  He did actually shoot, but his direction was all wrong.  Everton seemed content to rely upon their massive lead, and engaged in some tricky football, if rather ineffective,  Dean, with one of his sliding headers, was only a yards out, but when he came a second time, having received a perfect pass from Critchley, he passed between the backs, and although MacLaren narrowed his angle. 
DEANS SCORED.
A great goal, to make the score 6-1.  O’Donnell was on the fringe of giving a penalty away for a push stroke, but fortunately the action was just outside the penalty area.  Chandler, Leicester’s main hope, nearly defeated Taylor with a hook shot which Taylor pushed on to the upright and the ball rebounded back into play. 
THIRD FOR DEAN
Everton’s seventh goal was one of the best of the game, for Dean trapped O’Donnell’s big clearance without a moment’s hesitation and crashed it into the net with MacLaren helpless to save.  It was a drive of good length, too, and it brought Dixie’s goal bag to 23 so far.  Final; Everton 7, Leicester City 1. 

BURY RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 05 November 1927
At Bury, before 3,500 spectators in a continuous downpour of rain.  After twenty-three minutes Houghton fed White with a beautiful pass, and the latter scored easily.  Smith missed a penalty for Bury given against Raitt, and Massie hit the crossbar.  Half-time; Bury Res nil, Everton res 1. 

LIVERPOOL “A” V EVERTON “A”
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 05 November 1927
At Anfield.  Kerry scored for Liverpool early on, but French equalized.  Holmes scored a second for the Reds, but French again put the sides on level terms.  Nearing the interval Cansfield gave Everton the lead.  Half-time; Liverpool 2, Everton 3.  Final; Liverpool 2, Everton 4. 

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 05 November 1927
By Louis T. Kelly

EVERTON 7 LEICESTER CITY 1
November 7 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
ANOTHER BIG WIN FOR EVERTON.
LEICESTER CITY MASTERED AT GOODISON
SEVENTEEN GOALS IN THREE GAMES.
Everton added to their list of big successes with a decisive win over Leicester City by 7 goals to 1 at Goodison Park on Saturday. The last three games have provided the Everton club with seventeen goals, and Dean individual total has reached 23. These excellent figures are certainly justified by their present form and position. Leicester have the reputation of being a useful side possessing a fair amount of football skill, yet they were made to look the merest novices. True, they were compelled to field their reserve half-back line that was plainly outclassed, but even allowing for the great disadvantage there was no comparison between the sides. Everton's smart, skilful and combined movements were in marked contrast to the slow and cumbersome efforts of the Leicester side and the wonder was that the score did not reach double figures.
STRONG LEAD.
As a contest the game was disappointing, but it served to demonstrate how effective the Everton machine capable. At no stage did Leicester seriously dispute Everton's superiority. With a lead of five clear goals. Everton won the game in the first half, and although they were inclined to be over confident in the second half the odds against the Midland side were far too great for Everton's attitude to have any bearing upon the result. If the strength of a side depends upon the soundness of its half-back line, then Leicester were doomed to disappointing from the start, because it was obvious when Weldon started scoring at the end of two minutes' play that the Leicester middle line was no match for the Everton attack. That was Leciester's handicap right through the game. There was strength in every department of the Everton side. Taylor had little to do, but he did it well and showed useful anticipation in dealing with several capital efforts by Chandler. Cresswell and O'Donnell found little difficulty in coping with t he ragged work if the Leciester forwards. O'Donnell was incline to place his returns occasionally but he was quite sound, while Cresswell intercepted passes and placed the ball in his usual effective style. Brown deputised for Kelly, who was suffering from a strained thigh, and although the hardly reached the standard of Hart and Virr he worked hard, and with a fair measure of success especially in the first half. Both Hart and Virr did splendid work throughout. They adopted themselves to the conditions, and were very effective in attack and defence. Dean made capital use of support offered, and again demonstrated his wonderful skill as a leader. His deadly shooting, clever distribution, and all-round effectiveness made him an outstanding figure. Weldon returned to something like his best form and Troup was give plenty of chances of which he made full use.
THE LECIESTER DEFENCE.
As a wing, Forshaw and Critchley were little inferior, and the line, as a whole worked with due understanding. McLaren in spite of the big score against him, made many splendid saves, and was one of the few exceptions on the Leciester side. Osborne did useful work in the second half, but the half-backs were not good enough for the job they undertook. The forwards failed throughout the game with out adapting themselves to the conditions. Their close passing was a mistake in tactics, and they suffered as expected. The goals were scored in the following under: - Weldon (2 minutes), Dean (twenty-four minutes), Weldon (twenty-five minutes), Troup (thirty-one minutes), Critchley (forty-0ne minutes), Chandler (fifty-three minutes), Dean (sixty-five minutes), dean (eighty minutes). Teams: - Everton: - Taylor, goal, Cresswell (captain), and O'Donnell, backs, Brown, Hart, and Virr, half-backs, Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup, forwards. Leicester City: - McLaren, goal, Black, and Osborne, backs, Findlay, Carrigan and Carr, half-backs, Adcock, Hine, Chandler, Lockhead, and Barry, forwards .

BURY RESERVES 1 EVERTON RESERVES 1
November 7 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 11)
At Bury. Everton thoroughly earned their point. Davies gave a brilliant goalkeeping exhibition. Rooney and Raitt proved capable defenders, while Griffiths was a host in himself. White scored in twenty-three minutes, Gale equalising twenty-six minutes after the resumption. Smith drove wide from a penalty awarded against Raitt. Everton: - Davies goal, Raitt and Bain, backs, Rooney, Griffiths, and Dickie, half-backs, Irvine, Easton, White, Houghton, and Lewis, forwards .

LIVERPOOL "A" 2 EVERTON "A" 4
November 7 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
LIVERPOOL COUNTY COMBINATION
Everton were the more progressive side in the "A" teams Derby at Anfield, and were worthy winners. French (2), Caufield and Rose scored for the winners, and Keny and Holmes for Liverpool.

GOALS GALORE
Athletic News - Monday 07 November 1927
EVERTON 7, LEICESTER CITY 1
By Impressionists
The oldest inhabitant of Everton’s two homes on Merseyside – Anfield and Goodison Park –must have felt a thrill comparable with the past, about the irresistible team who made Leicester City appear weaklings.  Knowing the abilities possessed by the Midlands side, realizing the times they have riddled rivals by such similar methods, one is left astonished admiration that they should be made merely the hacks of Everton’s combination of craft and zeal.  I am cautious of exceptional scoring bouts.  I went to see the League leaders and found them fulfilling all the sanguine expectations.  Was this a chimera?  Certainly not.  As plain as the proverbial pikestaff is the distinguished football of Everton to-day.  Indeed, constructively they have always been of the elite.  In 1889 as original League members, a real football traditions had birth.  They have lived as from the beginning, to the continuity of football as it should be played.  At times have changed, so it has become necessary for Everton to amend their methods without losing their personality. 
COMPARISON NOT ODIOUS
The old stagers tell us that the present is a fool to the past.  I have dim happy recollections of Boyle, “Daddy” Holt, and Stewart; of Chadwick and Milward, and more readily of Makepeace, Taylor, and Abbott; of William Scott, the Balmer brothers; “Sandy” Young, Settle, and Harold Hardman.  These are names which cover almost a lifetime, I am sure there were those drenched by a deluge or sitting beneath the cover of Goodison Park’s magnificence, who conjured up the lights of these other days, and found their successors worthy.  If not, they are beyond the pale of bridging old ideas with modern methods and means.  The present Everton bring the old refinement and the new culture- with expedition-closer together than any team I have seen in post-war football.  The League Championship is a long way off fulfillment.  I realize all the pitfalls, and such an entrancing side-issue as the Cup.  Everton more than any team seem destined to be crowned with the jewels of a whole season’s accomplishment.  The first goal struck the note of the new Everton.  The play was also in front of the goal; one player hesitated, another flashed on the scene and slung the ball, catapult fashion.  McLaren, the Leicester City goalkeeper, looked askance at the skies and the field.  That was how Weldon began the total eclipse, a sequel to the same old Everton with a different effect.  The defence used to be accused.  No doubt Taylor, Cresswell and O’Donnell are unmistakable better intrinsically than any rearguard which has served for some seasons.  Nevertheless, the scales are adjusted.  Here we have a team not half-backs following up their forwards, and forwards remiss, so that the field was out of position, retribution coming swift, and leaving Everton drifting.
RARELY A RESPITE.
It is all a chequer-board of infinite variety –combined and individual; I strove to see something of the Leicester City I know.  Necessity compelled the to play a reserve or makeshift half-back line, in which Carr, normally a forward, was most successful, and yet the power of Everton is to be gauged by what one esteems of the City when it comes to a margin of 7-1.  In the first half Chandler shot well and Taylor had the ball comfortably covered.  In the second half he scored and should have done so again instead of giving the goalkeeper the chance to throw up his arm and turn the ball against the bar.  Even so, these were mere pinpricks compared with what McLaren’s fine goalkeeping and a after of inches prevented Everton from achieving.  The avalanche of goals is best set out in the following order;-
Weldon…2 minutes
Dean …25 minutes
Weldon …26 minutes
Troup…33 minutes
Critchley…42 minutes
Chandler…8 minutes
Dean 19…minutes
Dean…35 minutes
Thus it will be gathered that Leicester City had a period of respite in the first half when Hine, Black, Osborne, and McLaren stood out.  I simply refuse to draw distinctions between this magnificent potential championship Everton side.  The cool generalship Everton side.  The cool generalship of Cresswell is an undeniable asset.  In Hunter Hart the best recollections of Everton in the centre half position are revived.  A centre forward the superior of Dean’s intuition and decision the club have never fielded.  Dean should remember whence it came when Forshaw provides him with a gift.  Forshaw was not the only forward not to score.  It was not his sphere to command that, but he did more- deserved to and made the goals for others.  Everton.- Taylor; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Brown, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup.  Leicester City; McLaren; Black, Osborne; Findlay, Carrigan, Carr; Adcock, Hine, Chandler, Lochead, and Barry.  Referee; R. Bowie, Newcastle-on-Tyne. 

EVERTON’S LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN
Liverpool Echo - Monday 07 November 1927
WORTHY LEAERS
By Stork
At one time in their existence Everton were looked upon as purely dry-land sailors, for it was acknowledged that their class of football was not suitable on a ground which was anything like on the soft side.  Nowadays however, any type of going comes alike to the leaders, who are, without a shadow of a doubt, the team of the season.  Leicester City, who had handed out a severe blow to Everton last term, came to Goodison full of confidence; but they must have been amazed at how different a side Everton were from that which they met on their last visit.  At all events Leicester never suggested that they would spring a surprise in our camp this time; in fact, they were a wee bit fortunate to get off with a 7-1 defeat, for Everton were quite six, and perhaps a goal or two more, better than the City. 
A CREAKING DOOR.
What was the matter with Leicester?  Just this; They had a poor set of half-back- three reserve men-who could do nothing with Everton’s attacking line.  If anyone wanted to know the vital point of a team he had but to see this game to realize that a strong middle line is the keynote of a football team.  It can either make or marr a side, and unfortunately for Leicester, Findlay, Carrigan, and Carr did the latter, for at full back, in goal, and to a point, the forwards had much to commend them, but the mainspring of the team was of poor quality.  Just to set seal to my argument, Everton’s half back line locked out Leicester’s forwards and opened the gate to their own forwards to go through and rush the door as represented by Osborne, Black, and McLaren.  This door was faulty at the hinges (Carr, Carrigan, and Findlay), and was so weakened that it could not withstand the battering it had to endure.  That, and the fact that Everton displayed amazingly clever football on a turf which was all against accuracy, were the chief reasons for Leicester’s inability to test Everton as they were expected to do.
TWENTY SHOTS.
To emphasize Everton’s superiority I would like to state that they had close on twenty shots- good shots, I mean- in the first half; and it is to McLaren’s credit that only five found their way past him.  He kept cut some of Dean’s classic headers, powerful drives and many other attempts; but Taylor apart from a couple of shots by Chandler, had little of any consequence to trouble him.  With a lead of five goals at the half stage there was little prospect of Leicester pulling the game out of the fire; but when Chandler obtained a goal seven minutes after resumption, last year’s match immediately came back to the memory; but it need not have done so, for Leicester were not nearly so good this time, whereas Everton were better by twenty steps in the League title, and were not likely to become “nettled” by this orphan goal on this occasion. S till it was after Chandler’s point that Leicester City put in their best efforts, and Taylor had to make one or two capital saves; but it was only in the nature of a dying kick, what time Everton were indulging in finesse.  When Everton deemed it necessary to come again they popped two further goals into McLaren’s net, and the victory was as complete as it was merited. 
GREAT STARTERS
Everton are great starters these days.  There is nothing like it, either.  It has a moral effect, and Weldon’s goal in two minutes snuffed out Leicester’s candle and made their outlook gloomy.  Forshaw was the only Everton forward who failed to score, but that does not mean to say that he was a weak spot.  Far from it, for Forshaw did as much work as anybody, and there were no weak spots in Everton’s make up.  From stem to stern they were solid, but their great strength was at half-back, where Brown and Virr- the latter is at the top of his form- kept Barry and Adcock, Leicester’s speedy wingers, where they wanted then (in their pockets), while Hart had no superior on the field, and Chandler rarely found himself free to do as he wanted.  There were a good many goals scored, but the best of the day, to my mind was Dean’s seventh.  He took a ball from O’Donnell, and without bothering to settle it dashed in a shot which struck the underneath part of the cross-bar and had McLaren beaten to a frazzle.  Here is the order of scoring; Weldon (two minutes), Dean (twenty-four minutes), Weldon (twenty-five minutes), Troup (thirty-four minutes), Critchley (forty-one minutes), Chandler (fifty-three minutes), Dean (sixty-four minutes), and Dean (eight-four minutes).  Dean has now twenty-three goals to his credit out of twelve. 

EVERTON CORRESPONDENCE AND THE LIEDOWN
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 08 November 1927
Bee’s Notes
“Old Bee” writes me thus;-
Dear Young “Bee,” – I expect you will be amazed at receiving a grouse from me, re Everton.  Admittedly they are great team this term, and, at present, the finest team bar none in the country. I said at present! But what about it when injuries crop up?  Take outside-left; If anything happened to Troup, who would fill that position? Lewis is too young and inexperienced.  That means no reserve outside-left.  Again, if anything happened to O’Donnell there is no reserve left full back on the books.  Funny, isn’t it, for a team of Everton’s standing -no reserve left full back, and no experienced reserve outside left.  Without a doubt Lewis will make a fine man for them in another couple of season; I believe he is only eighteen.  But what if Alex Troup had to stand down now?  No outside-left.  But worse still if O’Donnell had to stand down –no left full back on the books at all!  This is going to be Everton’s downfall.  The reserve eleven recently won by eleven goals; is that not sufficient evidence sir?
“EVERTON’S LUCKY SEVEN.”
It was with some surprise that I saw the above on the Sunday paper placards, and the words must give a false impression to those who did not have the good fortune of witnessing the game, writes “:H.J.S,” 
I have not read Mr. Howcroft’s comments on “Everton’s luck,” and although he is quite entitled to his own opinions, I am sure that the majority of the spectators who saw the scoring of the goals will agree that each goal was not the result of luck, but rather finished workmanship by men who were masters of their craft.  The Leicester goalkeeper, who was well supported by his backs, did not make a mistake.  How was it, then, that the Everton forwards scored seven goals?  It was just this- they have acquired the art of placing the ball away from the goalkeeper; for to be a successful goal-scorer one must learn to shoot at the part of the goal where the goalkeeper isn’t.  It is true that the Leicester half-backs were weak and did not give sufficient support to their forwards or afford to much help to an overworked defence, but that is no reason for suggesting that Everton got seven lucky goals, which the words on the placard imply. 
No 1. Scored by Weldon a beautiful shot from some twenty yards out, which looked like a goal from the time it left his foot, and was quite out of the goalkeeper’s reach.  No luck in this goal.
No 2. A cross from the right to Troup, who centred beautifully for Dean to put the finishing touch.  No luck here.
No 3. Similar to goal 2, except that Weldon had the honour of administering the “coup de grace.”
No 4. During a period of heavy pressure, Troup with splendid anticipation fastened on the ball, and scored with a delightful shot.  A goal well deserved.
No 5. Critchely’s goal; a shot placed with unerring accuracy between the goalkeeper and the upright, the goalkeeper only about a yard distant from the upright.  It did not appear that there was room for the ball to squeeze through, but it left Critchley’s to step at such a pace that the goalkeeper brilliant as he was, was not able to get his left hand to the ball. 
The sixth and seventh goals were the work of a master; the ball cleverly taken, brought immediately into control by Dean, the backs beaten by dribbling craft and goals scored by perfect shots, one from rather an acute angle, and the other from over twenty yards out, shot like an arrow from a bow.  Let credit be given where it is due.  The potency of the forward line is reflected by the 26 goals scored in the last six matches. 

IN THOSE GOOD OLD DAYS
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 08 November 1927
Mr. J. Gibney writes —As I was passing along Bullens-road going to the Everton- Leicester match, I saw an old player of the Stanley Park days, conversing with a son of a late Everton director. The last time I saw him he played centre forward for Everton against a team of Welshmen, got up for the purpose of defeating them as the champions Stanley Park, 1883. The players called themselves the Cambrian, and a Welsh international called Ketley, who had only one arm, was the captain. The Everton team was:—C. Lindsay. Goal: T. Evans, W. Parry, backs, Frank Brettle, Twemlow, T. Scott. Half- backs; Robert Gurley (right), J. Preston, W. Eyton, Alex Probyn, W. Findly. I remember the captain. W. Parry, asking Eyton to go to the hotel at the corner Arkles-lane to change his jersey for the blue and white quarter shirt, he being borrowed from the Richmond club, which played alongside. As W. Gibson, the centre forward, had not turned up. Could you tell me whether any of them are still interested in the Everton club? I think the player I saw was W. Eyton.  Doubtless our old-time friends will mark, and-answer. 

EVERTON AT FULL STRENGTH
November 9 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
In view of Everton,s high scoring power, opposing defenders in the future will lay themselves out to stop the onrush of goalgetters, particularly a defence with a reputation to maintain. On Saturday Everton will be faced by what is regarded as a most effect set of defenders with one man standing out about the others. I refer to Derby County, who despite their lowly position possesses backs of high standing. Cooper is regarded as one of the best of the rising generation of players and he is likely to run Goodall close for further international honours. The team as a while play well at Huddersfield last week and were rather unlucky to lose, and I am sure will lay themselves out to stop Everton gallop. The leaders on the other hand, will try their utmost to maintain that standard of play, which has earned for them universal praise. Everton will be at full strength again, as Kelly has recovered from his injury, and he will take up his customary place at right-half instead of Brown.

STAN DAVIES TRANSFERRED
Dundee Courier - Thursday 10 November 1927
Birmingham yesterday secured from West Bromwich the trasfer of Stanley Davies, the Welsh international.  Formerly with Preston North End, Davies joined West Browmcih from Everton six years ago.  He is a versatile player, and at one time or another has been called upon to fill every position on the field.  On the last appearance for Wales he played at left half-back.  He gained international caps against England in 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1926; against scotland in 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926 and this season against Ireland in 1921, 1921, 1922, 1925, and 1926.

St Johnstone Centre-Half's Request
Dundee Courier - Thursday 10 November 1927
Neil M'Bain, the St Johnstone centre-half, at his own request, is to be placed on the open-to-transfer list. A native of Campbeltown, M'Bain played for Ayr United and Everton before coming to Perth early last season. While with the Everton club his great form secured him an international cap. Neil was placed on the Saints' transfer list last summer, but he came to terms with tlie directors before the present season opened he has without doubt, been an asset to the Muirton team, but now he is desirous of change, and the directors apparently are not to stand his way.

TAYLOR'S OUT
November 11 TH 1927. The Liverpool Post and |Mercury.
Owing to injuries illness, and a moderate standard of play, Everton last season called on no fewer than thirty-three players to complete their league programme. This season they have been more fortunate in every respect, but it is regretted that Taylor, the goalkeeper, who has played in all the matches so far this season, will be unable to turn out against Derby County at derby, tomorrow. He is suffering from influenza, and his place will be taken by Davies the reserve goalkeeper. Who played in none division one games last season, and the most part, did well. He has accomplished fine work for the central league team this season, and he will no doubt welcome the opportunity of assisting the senior side tomorrow. Although lacking the experience of Taylor, Davies is clever, and behind Cresswell and O'Donnell he ought not to let the side down. He is the sixteenth player to have a turn in the first team so far. Davies formerly played in welsh football and assisted New Brighton before going to Goodison park.

CAN EVERTON CONTINUE THEIR SEQUENCE OF SUCCESSES?
Liverpool Echo - Friday 11 November 1927
Bee’s Notes
Everton go to Derby, and, as I have already told you, while we look upon Everton at hot, Derby reckon their side is mustard.  We know Derby as a good fiery side, and we know, too, that Everton have got to settle down and get a goal before they produce their liveliest and their best, but week by week the confidence of the side continues to increase, and at the back of my mind I see less trouble from Derby County than from Portsmouth.  Portsmouth were a sort of tidal wave, but Derby County are not in the same awkward position.  They have recently shown quite useful form against Huddersfield, and any team which makes a good show against the Yorkshire side must be inclined in one’s theorizing.  Ted Taylor will not be fit to play owing to a bad cold, and Davies will doubtless deputise.  He is a strong young man who has been doing exceptionally work with the reserves, Kelly is coming back to the half-back line.  Everton; Davies; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Derby County; Wilkes; Cooper, Carr; McIntyre, Thoms, Storer; Crookes, Hope, Bedford, Whitehouse, Mee. 

EVERTON TASK AT DERBY
November 12 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
Derby County have always been a difficult to beat at the Baseball Ground, The team at present may not boast a Bloomer, but the forwards, as useful and the defence sound with Cooper one of the most capable young defenders in the land. Still, Everton, on the from they have shown recently should be capable of beating the lowly placed club. The County made a great fight at Huddersfield last Saturday, which indicates an all round improvement, Everton will have the energetic Kelly in his customary place at right half, but Taylor the goalkeeper, is absent owing to illness, and Davies will keep goal. The teams: - Davies, goal, Cresswell, O'Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw Dean, Weldon, Troup. Derby County: - Wilkes; Cooper, Carr; McIntyre, Thomas, Storer; Hope, Bedford, Whitehouse, Mee.

EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 November 1927
“BEE’S” COMMENTS ON DERBY COUNTY GAME
DEAN AND WELDON
Everton; Davies; Cresswell (Captain), O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Derby County; Wilkes; Cooper, Carr; McIntyre, Thoms (Captain), Storer; Crookes, Whitehouse, Bedford, Stephenson, Mee.  Referee. - Mr. Davies, of Bury.  Everton were at Derby to-day and the only change from the usual side was Davies for Ted Taylor (ill), Kelly returning to the side at right half-back.  Derby County sprang a surprise by signing Clem Stephenson’s brother last night, and there was much discussion as to whether he should appear on the right or the left wing.  Eventually he was picked for the left.  A year ago Everton took a big crowd with them to see if they could fashion a decent side.  To-day they took a big crowd with them from Liverpool to cheer them on towards the championship success.  The excursion trains were packed, and the fellows from Liverpool made themselves heard when Everton turned out.  To prevent than sinking and sick feeling Everton travelled overnight, the Derby line not being so straight as the Dixie line.  The Derby ground was hard through an overnight frost, but, in spite of the cold, the crowd was one of the best they have had this season. 
AN UNUSUAL CHOICE
There was a wintry sun, and Derby, having won the toss, took the wind but faced the sun, which was rather remarkable.  Off they went, Hart making an upward punt, only to find the ball swing to the left.  Mee and Cresswell collided, and Mee rose from the ground first so that he could centre.  A corner was all that came from it; and a similar happening occurred at the other end where Critchley got a corner, but no results from that corner.  It took some time for the players to settle down, because the wind was a factor.  A free kick taken by O’Donnell against Bedford travelled thirty yards, and Derby went on to attack, Virr clearing. 
DEAN’S TWENTY-FOURTH
This was the beginning of a goal.  In three minutes Dean had scored.  This was his 24th goal of the season, and he had thus kept up his scoring sequence for every League match except that against Liverpool.  This goal was one of the quickest things in life.  It took a second in the making and was began by Kelly, who made a useful push without hesitation, and Dean collared it and sized up the situation, and blazed away (there is no other word for it) into the left-hand corner. 
WELDON PLNATS A GOAL
It was a shot of amazing speed, and five minutes later Weldon, from the centre forward position, had scored a second goal.  This point started with a free kick against Thoms.  Troup had gone near, and the defence was once again spread-eagled; in fact, Wilkes seemed to be unsighted when Weldon planted a goal with ease.  This was more of a placed shot than a drive.  While Cooper went off hurt.  Troup received a square pass from Dean and rammed in a lovely shot, but Wilkes pushed the ball over the bar-a good save.  Cooper limped off, and looked as if he would not come out again.  This was vile luck, but Derby began to move up and attacked hard, with the result that Davies had to punch away after a foul had been given O’Donnell.  No one was more dandy than Weldon, and he wormed his way through all and sundry.  There was a moment when the crowd yelled for a penalty against Cresswell for hands, whereas actually the ball hit Cresswell’s knee.  The sun was as big a trial to Derby as was Everton’s science, and it seemed that the Derby captain was in error when he chose to take the wind instead of the sun. 
THE FEINTING OF HART.
Early goals had given Everton the confidence they desired, and they were moving forward and backwards by means of the most delicious moves, and the home folk realized that they were meeting a team that kept the ball on the ground.  The feinting at centre-half by Hart was one of the most successful tricks of the day.  Critchly made Wilkes catch an awkward shot, and Forshaw careered along the touchline, keeping full control of the ball and making the Derby set look slow.  There was a stoppage when Virr and Crookes collided, the Derby man coming off second best.  When the game was resumed O’Donnell did a Rebla juggle, and he beat his man, too.  Derby’s best chance was caused when Mee broke through, and later when he took a free kick against Kelly; but against this there came a first time swinging shot, quite a good effort.  Now there came a debate.  Mee got well placed near Cresswell, who called the goalkeeper out.  Mee, instead of shooting, centred, and O’Donnell headed up and behind him when the shot was put in. 
GETTING THEIR BACKS UP.
Derby claimed that the ball had gone over the line, but how that could be was hard to tell, considering Davies went back to his goal and plainly patted the ball outside.  Derby now began to get obstreperous, and Bedford and Virr seemed like having something of a duel.  Whitehouse, now at full back, deliberately charged Dean overboard when Dean was nowhere near goal, and Thoms followed it up with a nasty back that the referee saw.  Stephenson now slowed up, but O’Donnell stopped his clatter with severity and a sure boot, a divot being thrown ten yards in the process.  The Derby backs plunged into the game with a fearsomeness that suggested some trouble might arise, and they would have fared better had they concentrated on wise play instead of this full-blooded business.
CRITCHLEY WITH A LIMP.
Troup escaped a hack by Whitehouse and placed Weldon for a shot.  Wilkes saved that shot, and Critchley made another lovely run and centre, Dean for once in a way heading over the bar when seemingly certain to make the third goal of the day.  Critchley was injured in this move and was taken off, and when Cresswell was beaten, O’Donnell came to his aid.  Critchley returned with a limping right foot.  Bedford, on the other hand, was not producing his famous shot, and Mee was the mainstay of the Rams’ raids.  Carr kicked like a horse, although he was out of position in appearing at left back.  Dean took a perfect up-the-middle pass from Weldon and beat Carr, only to find himself stumble on all-fours and never get balanced to take what must have been a gift.  Derby were only dangerous when they got free kicks, and really their back was worse than their bite, Davies, the goalkeeper, having practically nothing to do.  Do not forget, reader, that the home side had ten men practically the whole of the half.  The last point before half-time was a Dean header from a Troup centre.  Wilkes conceding a corner which Critchley wasted.  Half-time; Derby County 0, Everton 2.
Everton’s lead at half-time was a bit of a change to the memory of a cup-tie here when Derby won by five goals to nil; in fact, the lead was a very comforting one. 
BLAZING THE TRAIL AT DERBY
INCREASING GOAL CROP
HOLLOW VICTORY OVER THE COUNTY
Cooper, the full back, turned out at outside-right in the second half, and, I am told, he played against doctors’ orders.  The sun was practically no bother, except in O’Donnell’s corner, so that my assumption of the first half was correct.  Right away Weldon made another subtle upward pass which Dean trapped, then tickled then shot, Wilkes making a very good save.
CROOKS OUT OF ACTION.
Derby did better in the first ten minutes of the second half than at any other point.  Virr undoubtedly saved a goal to Bedford, and after that a header from Stephenson lobbed on to the crossbar. Crookes joined the ambulance party, and looked pretty bad.  They say there is no luck in the Derby house. A much-contested free kick given for Dean and taken by him ended when Wilkes caught Weldon’s shot and then Davies came into being, Bedford at last having a shot.  Davies saved at the second time of asking.  Thoms could make nothing of Dean who beat three men, and then, surprising to relate, failed to beat Wilkes, who kicked away.  This was the beginning of some sort of trouble.  Dean charged the goalkeeper and the crowd booed him for crossing Wilkes’s legs.  Dean went up again, gave a full back the “dummy,” dribbled round the goalkeeper, who had advanced and seeing a full-back fall back into goal, Dean elected to hit out, with the result that he struck the upright. 
DEAN SCORES THIRD.
When Crookes returned, Weldon, from nearby, made a long shot and Wilkes saved in fine, firm fashion.  However, Weldon’s persistency took him to inside right, where he refused to give in, and rounding a half-back he pushed the ball to the usual spot where Dean scored with ease the third goal of the day.  This was the 29th goal in six matches, three of them away and on each of these three occasions three goals had been scored.  The crowd now began to give Thoms, their captain, the “bird.”  Once again Everton were triumphing through their ability to keep the ball on the ground and play good combined football.  Derby were desperate, but could make no headway in any department against a side that had worn them out!  Even Hunter Hart began to join in the shooting, and O’Donnell began to smile his way through an easy defence.  Davies made two nice catches, clean and reassuring Derby rightly claimed a penalty kick against Kelly for an offence on Stephenson when the new players was clean through. 
THE CROWD’S DERISION
Carr, the full-back taking a free-kick, hit Storer, his half-back, on the back of the head and laid him out-quite an uncommon accident.  Derby could do nothing right now.  Their captain and the referee came in for the boos of the crowd.  Dean came near a fourth, once again giving the full back the “dummy’ move.  The crowd were diabolically unfair to their captain.  Whatever he did was wrong in their sight, and they refused to let him play a normal game.  Final; Derby County 0, Everton 3. 

EVERTON RES V SHEFF UNITED RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 November 1927
At Goodison Park, the United were certainly fortunate to be level at the interval.  The Sheffielders had made a gallant fight during the first half.  Soon after the start they lost the services of both Boyle and Harris- knee injuries in each case.  Everton did practically all the attacking, but the hard surface of the ground resulted in many passes going astray, especially in the goalmouth.  Everton lost Houghton just prior to the interval.  That the home side failed to score prior to the thirtieth minute was due to the fine and resolute work of the Yorkshiremen’s defence.  Also Turnbull’s fine interception in goal counted.  Persistent pressure was rewarded when Whitter scored for Everton, and Stevenson crowned a solo effort with a great equalizer.  Half-time; Everton Res 1, Sheffield United Res 1. 
Rooney and Irvine scored further goals
Easton scored fourth goal for Everton
Final Everton Reserves 4, Sheffield United Reserves 1.

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 November 1927
By Louis T. Kelly

DERBY COUNTY 0 EVERTON 3
November 14 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
DRAUGHTS WITH THE BALL.
EVERTON'S SKILL AT DERBY
DEAN TOTAL MOUNTING.
By "Bee."
Everton beat Derby County by 3 goals to nothing at the Baseball Ground before about 28,000 spectators who took special delight in laughing t their own captain's endeavors. Thoms the centre half and captain of the side is only one of a number of centre half-backs who will have fare badly against Dean, but there was no justification for the ironic laughter that was raised every time Thoms did a good or a bad action. It was not sporting nor yet was it helpful. At once let it be put on record that Derby County ran into a heap of trouble. They lost their international full back Cooper soon after Dean had scored "as usual" time, four minutes.
COOPER'S INJURY.
Cooper strained a muscle and is believed to have torn a ligament; the returned after half time to become an outside right, but it is questionable whether his zeal was justified, for the risk he took was large, and he could hope to do little at his new post. In addition, Crooks was damaged, and with little going right for the side Derby retired beaten after a grueling encounter, in which the home eleven tried to make "beef" and hustle turn the tide against skill and sense of combination. Everton won because they would not be rattled off their normal game by a side that depends to a great extent on sudden dashes. It might easily have been another seven for Everton, and the reason it did not reach this large figure is worth putting on record: Dean did not play well –that is to say, he did not play well judged by his own high standard. He had a merry first half, but he was played on hard by two tough backs (Whitehouse, left the forward line to become a rousing full back), and there were there occasions when the ordinary Dean would have scored; instead of which he had not a goal to show for these incidents. There was an occasion when he feinted to beat a back, and having done so saw the goalkeeper had gone out of his goal. A dribble beyond the goalkeeper was easy, but Dean had seen a full backdrop into goal; therefore, he was justified in making a drive instead of a place shot –this hit the upright. Another time he drove straight at Wilkes, the goalkeeper, and yet one could not say he played badly; it was only a question of the Dean-degree!
A SMASHING DRIVE.
Everton given an early lead are irresistible. Dean got his opening goal with a smashing drive and through a pass up by Kelly. Weldon soon made the lead into 2. Crowning much of his brilliance by getting the goalkeeper unsighted and the defence spreadangled finally Weldon wheeled into the inside right position, and possibly committed a foul on the half-back, ere he dispossessed him by sheer endeavour and following up; the pass up the middle to dean was soon made into the third goal of the day, which meant that Dean had scored his twenty-fifth goal of the season, or thirteen from the Freeman record, for Everton, and the club had scored its twenty-ninth goal in six matches, three of which were won away through the Everton side scoring 3 goals per match –a stupendous collection of goals. But the latest were the sweetest because Derby were in dire straits and it was known they were a tough side with some pace; moreover, the eleven had just signed young Stephenson, of Aston Villa to partner Mee, the wing becoming the best wing of their side and deserving of a penalty kick when Kelly brought Stephenson down from a back-back. The referee, like Thoms got across the crowd, who went home saying what a good side the winners were and how unlucky had been the losers. Which was a statement of fact.
WELDON'S TACTICS.
Derby, while never looking a handsome side, were keen to fight to the bitter end, but Everton's class told. The men not only played well but they positioned themselves to a degree that made their display positively easy. It was not football; it was draughts with the big ball. Much of Everton's success was due to the game played by Weldon, the roamer, who helped the defence and was always tending towards the right wing. Everton, using their brains, left the home right wing severly alone, knowing that the cripple could do little harm. Actually Cooper as an outside right was the most definite forward on the losing side. But Everton were in a different category; Critchley, spite of being spiked, played good football and was carefully tended by cute Forshaw. Troup had not quite so much to do, but his main effort was centred in shots which Wilkes did well to edge over the bar for corners, which came to naught. The consistency of Virr and Hart is one of the reasons for Everton's rise, the £10,000 centre (?) Bedford could not move through, and Virr, like Weldon was inclined to go over to the right wing to make his endeavour. Kelly did well in spite of going a trifle lame at or about half-time.
DISPLAY OF DAVIES.
O'Donnell was the better back of the day, and the appearance of Davies in goal could hardly be judged, owing to the little work he had to attend to. He deputised for Taylor, who was down with an attack of the 'flu' but while he mishandled one bouncing ball, his save, after leaving his goal at the command of his captain, was a good one and when he was warmed up by work he made two fine catches. However, Everton seemed to take the match in a nonchalant manner; They were winners from the start and made Derby look small fry by their strategy, their shot from centre-forward position and their positional play. Referee; Mr. Davies, of Bury. Teams: - Derby County: - Wilkes goal, Cooper and Carr, backs, McIntyre, Thoms (captain), and Storer, half-backs, Crooks, Whitehouse, Bedford, Stephenson, and Mee, forwards. Everton: - Davies, goal, Cresswell (captain), and O'Donnell, backs Kelly, Hart, and Virr half-backs, Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup, forwards.

EVERTON RESERVES 4 SHEFFIELD UNITED RESERVES 1
November 14 th 1926. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 12)
At Goodison Park. The United were more overplayed than the score against would suggest, but this was caused through the visitors losing the services of Boyle and Harris early on with knee injuries. The depleted team were strictly on the defensive in the first half, and it must go to the credit of the defence that they only yielded once, Easton scoring. Stevenson in a sudden breakaway scored a brilliant equaliser a couple of minutes before the interval. The hard top surface of the ground troubled the players, and Houghton retired injured immediately after resuming. White, Irvine, and Easton added further goals. Turnbull, in the United goal and Webster at full back, were conspicuous. Everton: - Hughes goal, J. Davies, and Bain, backs, W. Curr, Griffiths, and Rooney, half-backs, Irvine Easton, White, Houghton, and Lewis, forwards .

WAVERTREE ATHETIC 0 EVERTON "A" 5
November 14 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
LIVERPOOL COUNTY COMBINATION
At Woolton-road –Wavertree were completely outclassed in all departments, the visitors showed good understanding, their defence being solid. Kendrick (2), Causfield (2), and Murray for Everton.

EVERTON’S PRIZE
Athletic News - Monday 14 November 1927
DEAN’S DASH AND CLEVERNESS WRECK THE DERBY DEFENCE
COOPER INJURED
DERBY COUNTY 0, EVERTON 3
By the mystery International
On a very heavy ground Everton easily defeated Derby County by three clear goals.  There is nothing that succeeds like success, and so it seemed in this match.  Everton are enjoying the best of fortune and are playing well.  Derby County, on the other hand, are in a precarious position, with only two clubs below them in the League table. Everton were two goals up in less than ten minutes from the start.  The County never recovered from the shock, and though they never gave up trying, they never looked like getting on terms with their opponents.  To make matters worse, after Everton’s second goal Cooper, the Derby right back, was injured in stopping Dean from going through again.  It was a magnificent tackle on the part of Cooper and saved a certain goal, but it was very bad luck for Derby.  It was quite accidental, and it robbed Derby of Cooper’s services for the remainder of the first half.  He turned out after the interval and did his best to be of service to his side at outside right.  Whitehouse took his place at right back, and so the County attack was depleted.  The first goal which Everton got was a fine example of Dean’s opportunism.  He secured the ball when quite 25 yards out, and at an awkward angle.  He got the ball under control in an instant and Wilkes could hardly have seen it till he picked it out of the far corner of the net.  When DEAN got the ball a goal seemed by no means imminent.  Such is his quickness and deadly shooting that a magnificent point was scored in a flash. 
SKILL AND SPORTSMANSHIP.
Dean throughout the game was easily the outstanding man on the field.  He was always dangerous and with a little bit of good fortune would have got four or five goals.  He is very strong and quick, and in spite of close attention from the Derby defenders he never got ruffled.  The second goal was scored by WELDON, and this was due to slackness in the home defence.  Weldon was allowed to trap the ball in the goal area with deliberation and then shoot.  The defenders seemed to be standing still watching him.  When he shot it was not a “real one” like Dean’s. But, nevertheless, Wilkes, the Derby goalkeeper, never got near it.  Derby did not collapse.  They kept on working for the remainder of the first half, but they sadly needed a real sharp-shooter in the front line.  I cannot recall a real shot by a Derby forward throughout the game. 
HALF-BACK CONTRASTS.
Judged on this match I do not think Everton are a great team notwithstanding their exalted position.  They did not show the all-round strength and class that is usually associated with outstanding teams.  Hart, at centre half-back was continually plying his forwards with the ball.  His play made a very sharp contrast to that of the Derby centre half-back, Thoms, who had a most unhappy afternoon, and can seldom have played so feebly.  Cresswell played his usual polished and thoughtful game and was a tower of strength to Everton, whose wing half-backs are good workers, but on their exhibition in this match did not approach the highest Everton standard.  DEAN got another fine goal in the second half which completed the scoring.  The ball was slipped up the centre, and despite more than one tackle his strength and determination carried him through.  Weldon also played well in the Everton front line.  Besides being very clever on the ball he shot well on several occasions.  Troup, Forshaw and Critchley were not very prominent.  Davies had very little anxiety in the Everton goal owing to Derby’s execrable shooting.
DERBY’S NEED.
This match clearly revealed the fact that the County need at least two half-backs.  Storer was the only middleman on the side who touched First division standard.  He played industriously and intelligently until the end of the game, and it was no fault of his that Derby were so outclassed.  Carr also played well at left back, especially after Cooper was incapacitated, but Whitehouse was not too scrupulous in his methods.  Mee was the outstanding forward on the Derby side.  Though short he is very sturdily built, and it takes a lot to dispossess him.  When Stephenson settles down in his new surroundings he and Mee should form a very useful left wing.  Bedford had a very quiet time in the centre, and would, no doubt, have appreciated the ball being pushed up the middle, as Everton plied Dean.  One cannot blame Bedford, as he very seldom got a pass worthy of the name.  Not having been on the Baseball Ground since I last played there, I was sorry to see that no improvement has been made in the room for wing players outside the touch lines.  Derby County; Wilkes; Cooper, Carr; McIntyre, Thoms, Storer; Crooks, Whitehouse, Bedford, Stephenson, and Mee. Everton; Davies; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup.  Referee; Mr. G.T. Davies, Bury.  

A SPECTATOR'S COMPLAINT. 
Derby Daily Telegraph - Monday 14 November 1927
(To the Editor of the "Derby Telegraph.") 
Sir,—As a spectator at the match Derby County...  Everton, was greatly surprised  hear n. great number of called supporters  jeering Thoms, who, no doubt knew quite well he was not playing up to  his usual standard.  Some time or other, ye all have a bad spell, and it is then we most feel in need sympathy and encouragement. Don't rag a player because he is having a bad time, cheer, but, for goodness sake, don jeer. Be a supporter, even if you don't belong the Supporters' Hub. —  DISGUSTED.  Derby, Nov. 14.

EVERTON GO FURTHER AHEAD
Liverpool Echo - Monday 14 November 1927
By Bees
The Lancashire Cricket dinner may have celebration rehearsal in view of the way Everton are treading the victory bath.  Their latest away win, wherein they scored three goals again, is a good one against a bad side, a fast side, a disappointed side; a side that struck every vein of misfortune –even to the loss of a penalty kick against Jerry Kick, if not against Cresswell, for handling.  It goes that way with a relegation look; Derby lost their international full-back, Cooper, who went outside-right and became Derby’s most definite forward! They lost touch with the referee’s whistle; they lost the best their captain, Thoms could give through one of the worst exhibitions of barracking I have ever had the misfortune to see; they could do nothing right; and so they at times took the law into their own hands and became spikey, as Troup and Critchley, among others could prove by their marks of identification-they have the identity discs all right!  Everton one again made football look woefully easy by their practical method of progression; they not only worked for the ball and worked the ball, but they got into the proper position; taking up an advantageous position is as necessary as tackling in time; they walked through this game, and the novelty of it was that Dean played below par- below par in the sense that we know how sure he is in front of goal, yet here was the master of centres missing three easy chances.  It was so unlike him that we gasped.  Perhaps he was being kind, as he is strong!  Certainly he did the right thing when he veered round the advancing goalkeeper, but having eyed the full back dropping into the goalmouth he thought it was to risk a strong shot- and the upright stood in his way; another time he drove straight at the goalkeeper.  Yet in spite of his (for him) below-par game he got two goals, one a perfection standard which made the side confident.  Kelly’s pass upward was snapped and filmed into a goal in three seconds.  And what a drive?  No. 2 was a well-earned goal by Weldon, the trickiest and most subtle forward on the field.  He, and indeed all the Everton players, realized that it was well to concentrate on the right wing and leave the newly made Cooper to go about unharmed.  Weldon was more often inside-right than inside-left.  Forshaw knowing Kelly had gone lame, was inclined to play a half-way house game- helping defence and attack; Troup therefore, did not get many chances; but those he hot he turned into either a hot shot or a fine centre. 
THE HALF-BACK STRENGTH
Everton’s great strength lay down the middle, where Hunter Hart held up the 10,000 pound (?) centre, Bedford, and yet found time to pass the ball to his waiting partners.   Hart has had a wonderful season and a hevy of bouquets and Albert Virr has grown into something that should be a lasting testimony for the “A” team guide-books.  He is big, strong, tall, uses his cranium for heading and passing, and has a power for clearance that is very valuable.  Then every man of the half-back line was purposeful; and that is the secret of Everton’s well-ordered plan of campaign.  Each known where the other would like him to be standing and stands not on the order of his going, but goes!  Talking of the orders of the day reminds me that the Derby captain took the wind with him in the first half rather than take the sun, the latter being pretty sure to go down in about an hour- it is only mentioned for future reference as a token of argument and tactical advantage for those who win the toss and do not seriously consider these things.  While Derby were disappointing, Everton were inspiring; they still hold the fort and though Newcastle must be a powerful opposition it is good to see the side gaining due reward for good, clean artistic football.  There is a bunch of away matches clustered towards Christmas time, but the way Everton are playing to-day they will be hard to defeat by any side.  Derby struck me as an earnest side, with a good left wing per Mee and Stephenson, but the half-backs are not likeable and the backs are inclined to mix matters with the resultant free kicks being a lot of trouble to their goalkeeper.  They found O’Donnell and Cresswell just the reverse; cool, calm, collected.  O’Donnell made some wonderful hooks and punts, and used his head to advantage, and Cresswell, in his own denominating but not domineering manner, got through a good day’s work, in which he was in front of Davies, the reserve goalkeeper, who had so little to do early on that when the ball came his way he took two “bites at it” are he saved.  Later he made a brilliant pat away and two fine catches, he having warmed to his work.  It was a good and undebatable victory, and the crowd that tripped to the Baseball ground proceeded home by an early train, very happy, although the game had not been particularly enlivening, owing to the superiority of one side over the other.  The customary arrangements by Secretary McIntosh completed the day’s pleasure and we “bridged” the rocking train journey with Directors E. Green, A. Coffey, W.J. Sawyer, A.R. Wade, and other friends.  The win against Derby makes the game v. Sunderland, at Goodison Park, next Saturday, a very enticing business. 

HARRY BANKS
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 15 November 1927
Bee’s Notes
I regret to state that a respected director of the Everton club, Mr. Harry Banks, is confined to his room through illness, which has extended some weeks.  It is good to know that the latest news shows the genial man much improved in health and likely to be out in a few days.
EVERTON
Have obtained more points than any other team in the League
HAVE  scored more goals than any team;
HAVE had fewer goals scored against them than any team in the League
And still HAVE NOT won as many matches as other top-notchers!

DERBY COMPLAINATS
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 15 November 1927
Bee’s Notes
Here’s a latter from “Derby Bright.” (Received while I was away);-
Your notes upon the Derby County v. Everton match in Friday’s “Echo” leave me “stone cold”  In the back of your mind you see less trouble from Derby County than from Portsmouth.  Have you seriously studied Derby’s home form?  Do you realise that Derby also drew at Portsmouth at the time when the letter team was considered so strong on its own enclosure?  I believe I am correct in saying that Bury were heading the First Division when they visited the Baseball ground.  Believe me, this “super” Everton team have a great task before them to-morrow.  They will indeed by lucky to collect one point off the Rams! 
Answer-it was a cold week-end, but somehow I didn’t feel it.  My correspondent has probably not seen the fiery Portsmouth side, and he has probably seen a lot of Derby.  Hence his “inclination,” But his theorizing about a draw was all wrong, and actually Derby proved easier to beat then Portsmouth; it took Everton a long time to settle Pompey. 
 “Derby Bright” wrote again yesterday, saying;- I feel that I do indeed ow you an apology for the letter which I wrote you on Friday.  Events have proved that your summing-up of the Everton-Derby match in no way belittled the latter team, although at the time of reading your article such was my feeling.  Never could I have imagined Derby to be such poor “fry” I take off my hat to Everton.  They are a great team!  P.S –My mon-de-plume is “Derby Bright,” but mot so bright as last Friday! 
Well, sir, that is a very handsome amendment, and it is to uncommon to find a letter writer being decent enough to put up his hand that I give the whole matter fully.
Thingwell Park F.C, secretary (Mr. Buxton) writes;
Allow me to express the thanks of the committee and myself to you for the insertion of the few notes relating to our club.  Since they were published I have had several inquiries about the club and promises of support; and I am in great hopes that the desired object will be achieved.  As you will guess, I am more interested in following our own lads than in watching the two local senior clubs, but at the same time I keep well versed in their doings through your notes; in fat, in conversation with some people who attend those matches, I often find that I know more about certain incidents of the play than they do, as they are only capable of seeing one side; and I must say this for you, Bee; you usually see the publish the weaknesses of both teams.  They only fault I have to find with you is certain disparaging remarks about Derby County which recently appeared, and being a native of Derby, although resident here a number of years, they made me sore, as one always like to hear well of the old team.  Judging from their position in the League, however, you are probably right, but I am expecting to see a better report after the good old “Rams” have walloped the “Blues.”  To conclude however, I must again thank you on behalf of all amateur clubs in the district, and our own in particular, for the generous use you make of your columns for our needs.
Wallasey Trams play their annual match with Southport Trams, tomorrow at Sandheys Park, 2.45.  Dixie Dean has promised to referee, and the linesmen will be Bert Mehaffy (New Brighton) and Hunter Hart (Everton). 

WHISTON WINGER FOR EVERTON
November 16 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
Everton visit Aston Villa in a Central League match this weekend, when the Goodison Park team will include Roscoe, an outside right from Whiston, who has attracted attention in local games. He will have an opportunity of showing his worth as partner to Easton. The team is Hughes, Davies, Bain, Brown, Griffiths, Rooney Roscoe, Easton, White, Dominy, Lewis.

EVERTON SELECT THEIR USUAL SIDE FOR SUNDERLAND GAME
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 16 November 1927
Bee’s Notes
ACCOMMODATING
The visits of the Sunderland team are always a great attraction to soccer enthusiasts on Merseyside, and in view of the consistent and convincing form displayed by our senior club this season next Saturday’s fixture will be doubly attractive (says T.M. Waterloo).  The match is evoking great and widespread interest not only amongst Everton’s loyal supporters but also the casual followers of the game, and given a fine day there will be an enormous attendance and probably all records except the recent local “Derby” will be surpassed, May I therefore, suggest that timely and adequately arrangements be made by the Everton executive to prevent the jostling and confusion outside the ground and the inrush and stampeding over the playing pitch inside, which occurred on October 15? 
To this end I would suggested;-

  1. That the gates be opened at one o’clock
  2. That the police force should be largely increased inside and outside
  3. That Stewards be appointed to regulate the traffic on the stands, and see that all available accommodation is fully utilized
  4. That a row of this planks should be placed inside the playing pitch barrier and as many boys as possible to be allowed to go there orderly and early.  This would be a humane act in view of the saturated conditions of the ground.  The expense incurred would be more than covered by the additional provision.
  5. As soon as congestion arises at the S.W corner of the ground in Goodison-road the gates should be closed there, and the gates for the centre of the ground only used, as this point is usually not inconveniently crowded.

Taylor, who was unable to keep goal for Everton at Derby last week, has been selected to play against Sunderland, at Goodison Park, on Saturday, in place of Davies, and it is hoped that by that time he will be quite fit.  The players who received some hard knocks at Derby are fit and ready for another grueling game, and the team will, therefore, be; Taylor; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Everton visit Aston Villa in a Central League match this week-end when the Goodison team will include Roscoe, an outside-right from Whiston, who has attracted attention in local games.  He will have an opportunity of showing his worth as partner top Easton.  The team is;- Hughes; Davies, Bain; Brown, Griffiths, Rooney; Roscoe, Easton, White, Dominy, Lewis. 

THE MILLWALL “BIRD”
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 17 November 1927
Bee’s Notes
Jack Cock, songster and centre of football fame, has made another move, Chelsea, Everton, Plymouth Argyle –and now Millwall, where the former Everton player, Board, was wont to score a peck of goals.

EVERTON’S BIG TASK TO-MORROW V SUNDERLAND
Liverpool Echo - Friday 18 November 1927
Bee’s Notes
I gather that the Sunderland side which last September was going to win the championship laurels, has lost its power and punch; has lost all idea of team work; that’s what they say up North, and it tallies with what I saw of them early in the season when they played fairly well, thanks to the Wright attitude and to Halliday’s incessant call to arms; but beyond that I would not go.  Sunderland seemed a shaky side even in victory.  Since then they have gone back a lot, but this is just the moment when they can deliver a tragedy blow to Everton’s hopes.  This is the moment when Everton need to be at their highest point, for the Roker side has ability, dash and height and weight. 
TWO CRESS-SWEELS!
This match would ordinarily have been a big thing in our history because all meetings with Sunderland are important and attractive, but if you add leadership of the League and the remembrance that people who had given up “watching football” had returned from their lair, entranced by Everton’s style of play and Dean’s wondrous goal-getting, then you get some idea of what the crowd will be to-morrow.  The only need is a fine day; and from the local’s point of view the only other need is that Everton shall, with their full-force team (Taylor is due back), carry on the good work begun early in the season and continue, ad, lib., goals in plenty, but more than all- a championship style of play that shall please the eye.  One word more; Cresswell plays against his former club for the first time and, knowing that Warney has a brother (a forward) in the Sunderland side, the game bears a family trait that is uncommon.  There are some football swells, as well as Cresswell, at Goodison to-morrow, and my hope is that the greatest swell of all will be the collection taken for the Fleetwood disaster.  The kick-off is at 2.40.  teams; Everton; Taylor; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Sunderland; Bell; Murray, England; Parker, Allan, Hartley; Wilks, Marshall, Halliday, Wright, Hargreaves.  

SUNDERLAND AT GOODISON PARK.
November 19 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
The chief attraction on Merseyside is the match at Goodison Park between Everton and Sunderland. The rise of the Goodison Park team from the depths in which they wallowed last season has captured the imagination of enthusiasts here, and great hopes are entertained that the team will continue the form which has won the admiration of those who reveil in scientific football, plus the ability to finish off what is known as pattern weaving method. Everton have rarely boasted a side so skilful and at the same time so trustful, as the eleven who wear the colours today, and thousands will assemble at Goodison Part today to watch the duel with the strong Sunderland side who boast a centre-forward in Halliday, who, on his day, is a fine leader. He got three goals last Saturday, bringing his total to 15. The contrast between his methods and those of Dean (who has obtained 25 goals) is likely to prove an interesting phase of the game. In each of Everton's last two home games they scored seven goals, and the thirst for points today will be as great as ever. Whether the home side will keep up their remarkable sequence remains to be seen, but I believe they will win, though. Sunderland will make a bold bid. Clunis returns to the Sunderland team, Parker moving to the pivotal position, Taylor selected to keep goal for Everton, and the following teams will line up at 2.40. Everton; Taylor, Cresswell, O'Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean. Weldon, Troup. Sunderland: - Bell; Murray, England; Clunas, Parker Bartley; Wilkes, Marshall, Halliwell, Wright, Hargreaves.

THE JOKER
Derby Daily Telegraph - Saturday 19 November 1927
Warneford Cresswell, the Everton skipper, informed the writer last week that he tells his club mates that when they have 30 points they are sure of escaping relegation.  Everton are not after the championship yet.  It's only a rumour.

EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 November 1927
TAKE ON SUDERLAND BY “STORK.”
GOAL BY HARGREAVES
HOME SIDE DOWN AT THE INTERVAL
Everton; Davies; Cresswell (Captain), O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Sunderland; Bell Murray, England; Cluas, Parker, Bartley, Wilks, Marshall, Halliday, Wright, Hargreaves.  Referee; Mr. H. Kingscott, Long Heath.  Naturally, the wretched weather had its effect upon the attendance, but despite the persistent rain there was a big crowd present to see what promised to be a football tit-bit.  Taylor had not quite recovered from his attack of the flu, and Davies again kept charge of the Everton goal.  Everton were soon into their stride, and if Weldon had not slipped up when Critchley made a fine centre, despite a strong wind which blew against the Evertonian’s faces, Everton may have had their usual early goal.  The nature of the wind may be gained by the fact that the ball had to be hit hard and strong for it to make any headway, but for all that, Everton were the chief attackers and Bell had to save a shot from Dean; a shot, by the way, that he took from near the corner flag.  A Sunderland attack, although generally well held, saw the advantage of a shot, and when their left wing got through.  Wright took a chance drive, but was badly out of alignment, and so Davies was not called upon. 
THE REFEREE’S RESTRAINST.
On the other hand, Bell had to punch away when Dean shot on to a defender, the ball rising high in the air for the goalkeeper to punch clear.  Everton continued to monopolise the play, and when Dean was ruthlessly brought down in the penalty area.  Referee Kingscott refrained from blowing his whistle and allowed Forshaw to go on towards an untenanted goal.  When Forshaw collected the ball he was at an awkward angle, but tried a place shot, which, however, travelled almost across the goal-line what time Bell did a sprinting act toc clear.  The referee’s decision for play to go on, and so not to penalize Everton, was to be commend.  Sunderland’s reply to this was a fine shot by Halliday, which was admirably taken by Davies.  This was evidently the tonic which Sunderland desired, for from that point they enjoyed a spasm of attack and Cresswell and O’Donnell had much hard work to-day. 
GOAL BY HARGREAVES
However, at the fourteenth minute, Sunderland took the lead through Hargreaves, and although it was a great shot, Hargreaves had is task made easy through the fine work of Wright, who had been instrumental along with Halliday in carrying play into Everton’s defensive line.  Credit must be given to Hargreaves for the way he accepted the chance, for he wasted not a fraction of a second when it came his way, and Davies had no possible way of stopping such a fierce effort.  Everton were not in the least upset by the turn of events; in fact, this goal only tended to make them work doubly hard, and a nice little movement by Dean and Troup ended with the latter shooting outside the woodwork.  Troup repeated this in almost the same placed a little later when Critchley centred.  It must not be forgotten that Everton were playing really well against the bad wind; for all that, they had actually had most of the play.  Still, the Everton goalkeeper had the more serious work to do, and when Cresswell attempted a pass-back on the muddy centerpiece it was only the timely advance of Davies which stopped Halliday from going through and making a second easy goal.  Kelly came up and cleared away any further danger the Sunderland attack was likely to show. 
HELPED BY THE WIND
It was Sunderland’s idea to shoot hard and strong on every conceivable occasion for the wind would help them no end, and when Murray tried a long shot it travelled at an amazing pace just over the crossbar; while a little later.  Halliday tried another, which sped just on the wrong side of the Everton goal.  Dean and Troup were together in many interpassing movements, and once when the wee fellow elected to centre instead of shoot, his centre bore the half-mark, but Dean had just done a slithering act on the wet turf.  Bell and his colleagues were out of work just when Everton had reached a real danger.  Halliday, the Sunderland centre-forward, is second on the scorers’ list to Dean, I am not surprised, for the way he shoots is sure to bring goals.  He puts amazing power behind them, and it was this feature of one of his shots that nearly brought him a goal to-day.  Dean stopped it, but could not hold it, and it went through his hands and trickled over for a corner.  It was, to say the least, a rather lucky save, although Davies had done well in the first place to get in the way of Halliday’s cannon ball.  Everton were trying their hardest to get the equaliser, and Dean received very little consideration from the Sunderland defenders, who had, no doubt, heard of his goalling ability.  With Dean so well watched, Weldon went on to try and open his side’s account, but his shot had neither the pace or the direction to be of trouble to Bell, who, however, should have been well beaten when Critchley was sent through by Forshaw. 
A SUNDERLAND COMPLAINT
Critchley’s shot had the goalkeeper well beaten, but England jumped into the breach and saved the situation, and it looked as if Everton were not going to be allowed to score not only by Sunderland, but by fate. Critchley was brought down rather heavily, at which a section of the crowd “got at” a Sunderland player, who complained to the referee.  The Sunderland attack was without doubt a dangerous one when it got to within striking distance of the Everton goal, and but for Halliday kicking the turf instead of the goal, he would no doubt have beaten Davies, for he was in perfect position to do so,  Virr, with a free kick, put the ball right into the goalkeeper’s hands, and Bell could not keep his grip, and Murray stepped in to cover up his keeper’s error, there being no Everton player handy to take advantage of the slip.  Just on the interval Forshaw put a shot that seemed to be just beating Bell and Dean was also coming up pell-mell to add the finishing touch, but the ball just went inches wide with Bell scrambling across in case of accident.  Half-time.- Everton nil, Sunderland 1.
SUNDERLAND’S WATCH ON DEAN
FIRST HOME DEFEAT
BRILLIANT GOALKEEPER BY BELL
With the wind in their favour Everton pummeled the Sunderland defence incessantly, but they were unable to beat Bell, who was in splendid form.  He made one one-handed punch which was the acme of perfect judgement; while he dropped on a back-header from Forshaw and stopped the ball as it was crossing the line. 
CLAIM FOR PENALTY
Everton were undoubtedly on top now, and there was a strong claim for a penalty when Dean was brought down, but the referee would not have any, and the ending was the Bell had to dive full length to stop Troup from scoring.  It was all very interesting and it was surprising to find Cresswell by Hargreaves with so little effort, and Hart had to come over to help the cause to prevent the left winger from making those accurate centres which were always a source of danger.  Everton, try as they would, could not penetrate the Sunderland defence.  Perhaps I should say they could not defeat Bell, for it was he, more than his fullbacks, who was responsible for Sunderland maintaining their lead.  He stopped all manner of shots, although he had perhaps a slice of luck now and again.  He was the man of the moment.  He was well beaten, however, when Dean glided a corner-kick into his net, but England, who was standing in goal, kicked the ball away. 
CLAIMING A GOAL
From my position he seemed to be well inside the goal when he did so, and I was not surprised to find the Everton players claimed a goal, to which Mr. Kingscott would not agree.  Davies made a good one-handed save, and also a fine catch from Wright.  The Sunderland goal had a charmed life and this despite the glorious work of Bell.  One movement by Everton when five Evertonians touched the ball ended by Bell punching over a header from Dean.  Bell, however, was well beaten later when Forshaw headed on to the top of the crossbar.  Sunderland had defended extremely well and their attack when on the move was also a very dangerous one.  This was Everton’s first home defeat.  Final; Everton 0, Sunderland 1. 

CENTRAL LEAGUE
Sports Argus - Saturday 19 November 1927
ASTON VILLA V EVERTON
A deluge of rain badly affected the attendance at Villa Park, under 1,000 being present.  There were many changes from the regular Villa team, chiefly owing to the demands of the seniors.  The teams lined up as follows;- Aston Villa; Goddard; Brittleton, Mort; Johnstone, Tate, Yates; Tully, Norris, Jakeman, Owen and Chester.  Everton; G. Hughes; R.E. Davies, Bain; Brown, Griffiths, Rooney; Roscoe, Easton, White, Downing, Lewis.  Referee; Mr. T. Hancock (Burslem).  The terrible conditions of the ground rendered good football difficult.  In the early stages Everton had rather the better of the play.  Twice the home side broke away, but were held up by the whistle for offside.  During a melee in the Villa territory Easton put in a hard drive which hit the upright.  Everton seemed to go to piece, and the ensuing period was notable for some shocking shooting on the part of the Villa forwards.  Owen, Jakeman, and Norris all missed open goals.  After thirty-two minutes the Villa’s endeavours were rewarded by a splendid goal resulting from good combined work to which CHESTER added the finishing touch.  Five minutes later TATE put the villa further ahead with a hard drive from twenty-five yards’ range.  For the rest of the half Everton were kept fighting hard to resist the aggressive home forwards, who had adapted their play to prevailing conditions.  Half-time; Aston Villa 2, Everton 0. In the second half fast failing light contributed to the generally different position.  JAKEMAN got right through on his own for the Villa and netted withy little difficulty.  From the restart Tully carried the ball right through and centred for JAKEMAN to add the Villa’s fourth goal.  In the semi gloom of the last 10 minutes Everton achieved a remarkable revival.  GRIFFITHS open his team’s account with a shot from nearly off the half way line.  It is doubtful if Goddard even saw the ball.  A few minutes later WHITE added a second goal for the visitors.  RESULT; Aston Villa 4, Everton 2. 

ASTON VILLA RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 November 1927
Shocking weather conditions rendered good football well-nigh impossible in the Central league game between Aston Villa Reserves and Everton Reserve, at Villa Park.  Everton had rather the better of the first ten minutes, the half-back line being responsible for good constructive work, and Easton hit the upright with a hard drive.  Then the visitors’ play seemed to go all to pieces, and at length the Everton citadel fell when Chester added the finishing touch to a command forward effort and netted.  A few minutes later Tate put on a second goal from 25 yards range.  The interval came with Everton fighting hard to keep out the aggressive Villa forwards.  Half-time; Aston Villa Res 2, Everton Res 0. 

POULTON V EVERTON A
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 November 1927
Jones opened the score for Poulton.  Swift equalizing for Everton A and Wilkinson added a second.  Half-time Everton A 2, Poulton 1. 

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 November 1927
By Louis T. Kelly

EVERTON 0 SUNDERLAND 1
November 21 st 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
BELL DEFIES EVERTON.
SUNDERLAND BREAK THE SEQUENCE.
FIRST HOME DEFEAT.
Everton sustained their first home defeat of the season on Saturday when Sunderland won by the only goal of a remarkable game. This season Sunderland have not lived up to their tradition, nor have they realised expectations, but on the form they displayed at Goodison Park their League position is a false one. They frequently enjoyed more than an average share of luck, but apart from that they proved themselves fit to bear comparison with the best sides that have yet visited the local grounds. In the Huddersfield game the high standard of play was more sustained, but Saturday's contest yielded nothing in point of interest and thrilling incidents. It was the tyre of game one expects but seldom sees, and if Everton did not deserve to lose Sunderland could not be blamed for making more of their chances. Everton had chances enough to win the game by half a dozen goals, but luck played them some knavish tricks. They lost the toss and had to face a very high wind and driving rain. In spite of this severe handicap they attacked cleverly and persistently and Bell in the Sunderland goal was one of the hardest-worked players in the game.
NARROW ESCAPES.
Frequently the Sunderland goal escaped by the harest margin. The turn of the ball was sufficient to prevent it going over the line when Forshaw sent it across the empty goal. Then England kicked the ball off the goal line with bell beaten. The Everton forwards played the right type of game in the first half when they kept the ball moving shot well and often, yet they could not get the ball into the net. Sunderland's attack although not so, frequent, were always dangerous, and when Hargreaves scored at the fourteenth minute it was due to the cleverness of Wright, who initiated the movements aided by the thrustful Halliday. It was expected that Everton would make a better showing in the second half with the wind behind them, but few were prepared for the stubborn defence put by the Sunderland backs and goalkeeper. Bell continued to make wonderful saves. It was a near thing, however when the ball almost went over the Sunderland goalline before a defender cleared it, but the Erverton forwards kept the play too close.
FUTILE EFFORTS.
Still they did most of the attacking, and even Cresswell and O'Donnell made attempts to score. It proved a futile policy and if by comparison the Sunderland forwards did little the defenders splendidly backed by the half-backs proved capable of keeping Everton out. Everton's defeat may be a blessing in disguise. Their skill is beyond question, but it cannot be over looked that there are defenders capable of neutrailising the none skilful forwards. If their attack becomes to steytryed. That was Everton's biggest problem. They persistency in plying Dean, who was generally surrounded by several opponents and unable to find space for successful manocurving. Davies did well in goal even allowing that he dropped one fierce drive by Halliday, which he quickly covered. O'Donnell was more effective than Cresswell because the latter was rather easily beaten by the clever Hargreaves. Hart was a great worker, while Virr did himself credit by reason of the support he gave the forwards. Troup, Forshaw, and Critcheley were excellent, although the latter was rather wasteful with his chances. Dean was too well guarded to be as effective as usual, while Weldon's roaming tendencies were hardly helpful. Bell was outstanding on the Sunderland side and he got splendid support from both England and Murray, while Parker did fine work in the middle line. Halliday was a dangerous and skilful leader. Wright a clever craftsman, and Hargreaves a sprightly winger. Teams: - Everton: - Davies, goal, Cresswell (captain) and O'Donnell, backs, Kelly, Hart, and Virr half-backs, Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup, forwards. Sunderland: - Bell, goal, Murray, and England backs, Clunas, Parker, and Hartley, half-backs, Wilkes, Marshall, Halliday, Wright, and Hargreaves forwards .

ASTON VILLA RESERVES 4 EVERTON RESERVES 2
November 21 st 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 13)
At Aston Villa. The Villa crossed over two up, thanks to clever goals by Chester and Tate, and further asserted their superiority in the second half, when Jakeman scored two goals. In the final stages the visitors made a remarkable rally, Griffiths and White scoring in the last ten minutes . Everton: - Hughes, goal, J. Davies, and Bain backs, Brown, Griffiths, and Rooney half-backs, Roscoe, Easton, White, Dominy, and Lewis forwards.

John McKenna – A life-time in football
Monday, November 21 – 1927 Athletic News
There are men in football today who have spent a life-time in the game – forty, fifty years of more. It is the intention of the Athletic News to tell theur story – to give their impressions of the start of things, the quaint old ways, the humours of the years, the greatest days and players, games and glories – in short, to tell what these long-service leaders and figures in football have done for the game, and show how times have changed.
Today Mr. John McKenna, now President of the Football League, discloses the fact that in the beginning he pushed the Liverpool Club into the League – unawares. They were elected as the result of Mr. McKenna replying to an advertisement in the “Athletic News” off his own bat.
In the summer of 1872 a young man from Monaghan set sail across the Irish Sea with that self-assurance and determination which have characterised him in all the after-years, to see his fortune.
Thus did Mr. John McKenna, today a personality in many walks of life, but in particular identified with and endeared to the great universe of football. President of the Football League, and Vice President of the Football Association – the two main branches of his many activities – enter upon his career.
No more than eighteen years of age when he started the great adventure, this dour, purposeful Irishman with his rich vein of humour, was then clearly budding in the qualities which have made him distinguished as a leader of the people’s game.
Succeeded J.J. Bentley.
When the time came to find a successor to the late Mr. J.J. Bentley as President of The League, the choice promptly fell on Mr. McKenna. Plainly here was the man for the moment – of deep sincerity, breadth of vision, mature of thought and decisive of action. He became the titular head of a great organisation, not merely for his intricate knowledge of the laws and regulations of the game, but because, endowed by temperament and practical conceptions, he was particularly created to lead.
The judgment of his fellows has been unerringly confirmed. There have been opponents to his policy; those who thought him brusque and assertive of opinion. Nevertheless, the admission has generally had to be made that perhaps his was the aptitude for grasping events ahead, for seeing both sides of a question. He is nothing if not thorough.
“Strike?”
Mr. McKenna is the first to say that whatever success he has attained in the management of football, respectively as hon. secretary of a League club, also director, and now chief over all, is due to the co-operation of his colleagues. That may be.
Still, there is no doubt that those allied with him have had a monumental example to follow if integrity and loyalty. Mr. McKenna has been the friend of the professional, as well as fair and without favour to the players’ employers.
From the beginning the President was accustomed to meet difficulties, and to surmount them. During his office there have been ripples which, but for his tact and straight dealing, might have become mountainous waves. Was he not the key personality in the great upheaval which threatened a strike of players and the complete stoppage of football?
It was largely through his influence that the Players’ Union was formed in its present constitution, for the mutual interest of the parties, and not as an appendage of a trade union organisation!
Strike! That word was anathema.
Mark the method of adjustment. Representatives of the 44 clubs were summoned to a conference in London, and the captain of each team was invited to be present.
A Rugby convert.
A Board of Gurdians officer in Liverpool for 35 years, ere he retired in 1920, Mr. McKenna was plunged into Association football. As an enthusiastic volunteer, he joined the Lancashire Artillery, and even as a soldier revealed the progressive adaptability, so that he was a battery sergeant-major in next to no-time, and when it was decided to form a Rugby football club he accepted the chairmanship.
Shooting results on print in Liverpool Mercury, June 8 – 1876.
shooting-1
But it happened that, being immersed in the local Parliamentary debating society, he came in contact with those interested in the Soccer code, and one day he was persuaded to see a match – between Everton and Bootle – played almost on the identical stretch of turf where the Liverpool players now operate.
Now, if one became a subscriber at the modest sum of 15s., the privilege was a seat on the rather primitive stand. So Mr. McKenna followed the fortunes of Everton and definitely became a convert from Rugby. Mark what that code lost as a consequence of conversation at a debating society meeting!
A split and -.
However, all was not happy with the Everton club. Members of the committee took exception to the views of Mr. John Houlding – afterwards Alderman Houlding – and the great schism took place.
The Everton section went across the park, and Mr. Houlding, and those who stayed with him, including Mr. McKenna, were left with a ground but no team, although Everton continued playing on the enclosure until the end of the season, what time Mr. McKenna signed the Articles of association for the new club, becoming vice-president.
He tried to register the new organisation as Everton, but the Football Association held that he original club had a prior claim. So Liverpool came into being, and nearly went out after a brief existence. Only the munificence of Mr. Houlding and the keenness of Mr. McKenna, and the hon. secretary (Mr. W.E. Barclay) saved the situation for the time being.
It is certain that but for a masterstroke by Mr. McKenna, typical of his self-reliance and sensing of future events, the origin of Liverpool as a League club would be of more recent date than 1893. Possibly it has not been told before.
AN “A.N.” ADVT.
A section of those interested in the new club believed that the success of professional football was vested in the county; that the Lancashire League would challenge the Football League. Accordingly the opposition for an application to the latter was immensely strong.
The lesson of Everton attracting the gates at a minimum admission of 6d., while they could get them at 4d. should have been learned, but no, Liverpool would remain in the Lancashire League; so numbers said. One man decreed otherwise.
Convinced that the League was their salvation, Mr. McKenna strove for hours to bring the honorary secretary, Mr. Barclay, round to his way of thinking, but the majority decision the latter would not go against. This further effort on the part of Mr. McKenna was prompted by the following advertisement which appeared in the Athletic News of May 8 – 1893:
john-mckenna-article-1
Meditating on the pity of it as he went home from Mr. Barclay’s house, Mr. McKenna was suddenly confronted by a post office. In he marched and handed in the following telegram: –
“Liverpool make application to the Second Division of the League,”
attaching the name and address of Mr. Barclay.
Elected unawares.
Late that night he was preparing to retire when a four-wheeler rolled up to the house, with the request from Mr. Barclay that he would come urgently. He found his colleague in a state of agitation, possessed of a telegram which read: –
“Liverpool elected, Come to London meeting at three o’clock tomorrow to arrange fixtures.”
Then Mr. McKenna explained what he had done.
“But how could he? How could they? The club had said, etc., etc.,” to which the retort was: “Never mind that. Let us get into the League first and tell them afterwards. If they won’t have it, we’ll have to withdraw. Now you must get off to London in the morning.”
Mr. Barclay refused to go without Mr. McKenna. Double harness was eventually agreed upon, but at the last moment a message was sent to say that Mr. Barclay was called away on business. However, John McKenna intended to see this through.
Knowing nothing then of fixture making, he went off to London, and came back with a programme. And that is how Liverpool became a League club – and gained promotion in the same season.
The team of Macs.
Began ups and downs. The Liverpool teams were either very good or very horrid. Now holding the hon. secretary-ship, it was chiefly Mr. McKenna’s job to find players.
At this time matured the team of the “Macs” – there were seven of them – but he disclaims having signed them all, as popularity supposed.
He certainly brought to Liverpool the brothers Matt and Hugh McQueen, the former of whom is the team manager today.
“You could play Matt anywhere,” said Mr. McKenna. “Why, after that tragedy of four draws with Sheffield United in the semi-final of the English Cup, the last one at Bolton (where we drew 4-4 after leading 4-2 to within 16 minutes of time), we put him in goal.”
How times change.
Incidentally, the non-election of Matt McQueen to the board after being a co-opted member was the cause of Mr. McKenna’s resignation as a director after 29½ years’ service.
By this time the late Mr. Tom Watson had been well installed as secretary, and a deal of the responsibility was taken off Mr. McKenna, who had been in the habit of spending two nights in the train at week-ends in search of players in Scotland and elsewhere.
A nonentity.
Those were the days when the agent was a recognised intermediary between club and player, and charged according to the worth of the player signed. Therefore, it is not surprising that the club official had to be wary of the unscrupulous, as Mr. McKenna once discovered when an attempt was made to palm off a nonentity as a famous player.
Remarking on the rise in transfer values and the standard of play, he says: “Football is an entirely different thing these times. It has had an amazing evolution. Different times; different conditions; different methods of management.
“Most of the clubs were made up of good players, because there were enough to go round. Transfers were few. In a word, the growth of professional clubs had made the supply of quality in numbers unequal to the demand.
“Those with money to purchase naturally endeavour to obtain the best, and while I regret that transfers should have become so frequent and fees inflated, I see that it is a condition of things that we cannot very well avoid.
“One club is willing to pay and another to sell. Things may right themselves in course of time. After one failure I don’t see how we can regulate it otherwise.
Reputation and today.
“One thing I am proud of after all these years is the high social scale to which the professi0onal has risen. For this we have much to thank modern education.
“At the same time I would say there has been a vastly improved influence in the direction of clubs which has conveyed itself to the players. Men not only of substance but of social standing sit on the boards. They are jealous of the reputations of their clubs.
“A player’s habits and conduct off the field are with many clubs as important as his playing ability.”

POULTON ROVERS 1 EVERTON "A" 2
November 21 st 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
LIVERPOOL COUNTY COMBINATION.
AT Poulton. O.Jones opened Poulton's score Everton gradually took the game in hand, and after Smith had equallised Wilkinson gave the visitors the lead. The second half was hotly contested, without either side scoring. Westcott was very prominent on the Rovers side.

SUNDERLAND SPRING A SURPRISE
Athletic News - Monday 21 November 1927
EVERTON 0, SUNDERLAND 1
By Junius
More than 30,000 assembled at Goodison Park, under conditions altogether against outdoor sport, for there was a keen east wind blowing from end to end, carrying intermittent showers in its train. The big majority of the onlookers expected to see Everton continue their sequence of victories and must have been greatly disappointed when the team’s unbeaten home record was broken.  Yet the Everton players enjoyed three-fourths of the play- that is, territorially –even though struggling against the elements in the first half.  They helped to defeat themselves by not accepting the gifts- and there were several –that came their way.  Weldon, Dean, and Troup (twice) early on should each have scored, for they had only the goalkeeper to beat. 
OFF THE MARK.
When the Sunderland forwards got off the mark they were distinctly dangerous, the left wing especially developing movements that required the full resources of Kelly and Cresswell to combat.  It was from one of these subtle advances, in which Wright played the leading part, that HARGREAVES scored the goal that decided the issue.  This came at the fourteenth minute, and was against the run of the play.  Everton generally were the more artistic side, finding their colleagues by neat touches and thoroughly extending the Sunderland lines of defence.  But events turned against them, for, press as they would, they did not get the turn of fortune’s wheel when success looked imminent.  In the second period the game developed into a contest between the Everton attack and the Sunderland defence.  It was a day when stamina counted for much, and as Everton had taken a great deal out of themselves in battling against the wind in the first half their incisive advances were not so much in evidence.  The return of Clunas added strength, the result being that there were on view two half-back lines of more than ordinary merit.  I was impressed by Hart, whose experience carried him through successfully in subduing Halliday, while he constructed with skill to his side’s advantage.  Parker was equally successful in checking Dean.  The latter was a great worker, closely watched and generally crowded out, but he was responsible for one of the best shots of the day when he veered to the left and gave Bell a warm handful. 
THE BEST WING PAIR.
Hargreaves and Wright impressed me as the cleverest wing pair on view.  The former often outwitted Kelly and Cresswell, while Wright by subtlety or movement, frequently had Everton’s defence in a tangle.  Murray and England were a successful pair of full-backs who worked according to plan, while in goal Bell bore a charmed existence, as several of his saves were extremely lucky.  Davies again deputizing for Taylor, who was ill, was not unduly harassed owing to the excellent understanding which existed between Cresswell and O’Donnell, and could not have prevented the goal that counted for so much.  Davies; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup;  Sunderland; Bell; Murray, England; Clunas, Parker, Bartley; Wilks, Marshall, Halliday, Wright and Hargreaves.  Referee; A. H. Kingscott, Long Eaton. 

EVERTON’S FIRST HOME LOSS
Liverpool Echo - Monday 21 November 1927
By Stork
Everton beaten at home!  Who would have thought it?  Not one person in a hundred would have had the nerve to lay a half-penny on Sunderland winning at the interval, even though they had the advantage of a goal lead at that period, for the simple reason that Everton, although facing half a gale, and a pitiless rain, had not only curbed their rivals’ advances but had played better football.  it was astonish they were without the reward, aye, more, were a goal in arrears.  The crux of the matter was that the Sunderland defence, assisted by some good fortune, would not admit of defeat, and the League leaders could do anything but pilot a ball between their posts.  Another thing; the winning of the toss meant a whole lot to Sunderland; and if the spin of the coin had gone the other way, I feel certain that an entirely different story would have to be told.  I do not desire to make excuses, but I would like to place it on the agenda that with an equal break in the luck Everton would have won, although, at the same time, I feel that they would have done better if they had played the open game as they did against West Ham, for the conditions were somewhat similar.  In that game they swung the ball about; on Saturday they kept it close, and it helped the Sunderland defence, a defence which took full advantage of Everton’s kindness, and won the game for their side.  Apart from Hargreaves’ goal, Halliday would have scored but for kicking turf and ball at the one moment; and Wright had a chance, but as against that Everton had many, many more opportunities to beat Bell, who was fortunate to find a full back saving his lines for him on more occasions than one, while Forshaw should have scored when Mr. Kingscott wisely let play proceed when Dean was floored.”  Forshaw was at an atrocious angle when he collected the ball, and his attempted place shot went right across the goal face. 
MORE ARGUMENTS
However, a one-goal lead at the half stage was not unduly upsetting, for it did not seem sufficient to give Sunderland the victory considering the way Everton were playing, and when the second half saw Sunderland purely on the defensive with the goal incessantly under a fusillade of shots it seemed only a matter of time before Everton would equalize, and perhaps take the lead.  Just to give you an idea as to what extent Sunderland were outplayed, I have merely to mention that the whole Everton eleven, with the exception of Davies, were within twenty-three yards of Bell’s goal.  It reminded me of Liverpool’s final game when the Anfielders were hot on the trail pf Freeman’s goal.  Sunderland have never been so hard pressed and come away with the spoils.  It required the united efforts of Bell, Murray and England to thwart those rampant Everton forwards, and this trio showed wonderful grit and determination under the trying ordeal.  A defense in such circumstances has to have a bit of luck, and Sunderland’s defence had it when Dean headed a corner kick wide of Bell, only to find England come from the back of the goal and clear.  This wonderful veteran appeared to be well inside the goal line when he performed that feat, and there will be many arguments as to whether or not the ball crossed the line before England connected with it.  Everton claimed that it had, but the referee had other ideas.  That was not Sunderland’s only slice of luck, for everybody was well beaten by a Forshaw header which struck the crossbar and went over.  Admitting that Bell had his share of fortune’s smile, he also had ability, and he performed marvelously well in goal.  He was ably protected, but he was very safe even when it was entirely “up to him.” 
DAVIES’S GREAT SAVE.
Davies had not nearly so much to do, but one particular save of his will not easily be forgotten.  Halliday hit a tremendous drive that looked all over a goal, but Davies stopped it and, unable to hold it- such was the pace of it- he was instrumental in turning it away from his goal.  He did many other things besides.  Hargreaves’ goal was made through a tricky dribble by Wright, a bonny inside-left; but most of Sunderland’s shots came from Halliday, who was a clever leader of the attack, besides being a great shot.  He found Hart an obstacle in his path.  Hargreaves gave Kelly and Cresswell many anxious moments; in fact, it must be some time since “Warney” was beaten so often; and on the day O’Donnell was slightly the better back, even though he was not so classical.  He had no light task against Wilks and Marshall, either.  Of the Everton attack I liked Troup and Dean best.  They participated in many fine movements.  Dean was too crowded to do much in the shooting line, but he offered opportunities elsewhere. Parker, the Sunderland pivot, would not allow Dean to take a pass if he could help it, and the result was that Dean got few opportunities.  It was an exciting game; and Everton need not be upset by the defeat, for they will not meet many defences who will offer such an inspired game; while they played well enough to win most matches. 

TED TAYLOR
Dundee Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 23 November 1927
Ted Taylor, the Everton goalkeener, who has been out of the team through an influenza cold, had taken part in 27 matches without a break for the Goodison club. This does not seem a very striking performance at first glance, and in these days of ever presents, but it is of interest to note that Taylor went to Everton last season when the club was fighting for its existence in the First Division, and that the 27 matches which he figured Everton got 35 points. Taylor, who was born in Liverpool, might have been with Everton years ago, but his worth was not then appreciated, and he went to Goodison Park via Oldham and Huddersfield.

BRISTOL SIGN EVERTON HALF-BACK.
Sheffield Independent - Friday 23 November 1928
Bristol City have secured the transfer of D. Bain the reserve centre-half of Everton.  Bain, who had been with the Goodison Park side since the start of the season 1924-25 previously had two seasons with Manchester United and had experience with Rutherglen Glencairn, a Scottish junior side.  He played behind "Dixie" Dean in 23 First Division games for Everton three season ago.  Bain, who stands 5ft 9ins and weighs 11st 7lbs., will help his new club against Tottenham Hotspurs tomorrow. 

EVERTON CHOICE
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 23 November 1927
Bee’s Notes
Everton are due at Bury on Saturday, and the only change from the side which was defeated by Sunderland is that Taylor resumes in place of Davies.  The former Huddersfield goalkeeper expects to be thoroughly fit by the end of the week.  The team is; Taylor; Crewsswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.
Young “Happy” Houghton, who has had quite a long innings (for one so youthful) with the Everton side, has been under medical treatment for trouble to the leg.  It is now found he has cartilage trouble, and he will have to undergo an operation.  Hard lines. 

DEAN'S FOUR GOALS.
November 24 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
A football League team beat Blackpool by 5 goals to 3 at Blackpool yesterday in a charity match for the Fleetwood district fund.

DEAN BECOMES A CAPTAIN
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 24 November 1927
Bee’s Notes
Dean, of Everton, helped himself to four goals at Blackpool, yesterday, in the Fleetwood Disaster Fund match, an one of his shots was decribed by a manager present as the hardest shot he had ever seen- Dean had damaged an ankle, and it was with this damaged member he delivered the shot!  The match produced a sum of about 250 pounds, to which has to be added the ticket money, which is said to be fairly large. It was the first time in his young lifetime that Dean had led a side on to the field –captaincy at twenty years of age- and a representative side in the bargain –creates a new niche in his book-full of history!  He was back in Liverpool after 6.30 and the Liverpool players arrived just before him.

EVERTON ENDEAVOUR TO “COME-BACK”
Liverpool Echo - Friday 25 November 1927
KEPT SECRET?
Bee’s Notes
Football clubs have a habit of keeping things to a foolish point; but here is one for you, reader, that has slipped all other directions, thus far.   You know Adamson, the able full back of Bury? Well, he’s playing for Bury to-morrow against Everton, and the oddity about the appearance is this.  Unknown to almost everyone he has not only been out of the team, but has been suspended by his club for a fortnight.  He was dropped five weeks ago, and since then the club has lost goal after goal.  Now he comes back to celebrate Richardson’s well-earned benefit match against Everton, and he will doubtless be keen to show the club how much the side gains by his reappearance.  Bury have certainly been very mercurial this season and last season, but they have the essence of a very fine side.  Everton had their Christmas “box” last Saturday at the home match with Sunderland, and now proceed to endeavor to “come back” to their famous standard.  It is a pity the club have some doubtful starters in their ranks; I hear that Weldon, like many another man of the city, has been bothered with ‘flu, and if he could not play one imagines the club would move Irvine inside left, or else keep the Irishman at his old post and move Forshaw inward to accompany Troup.  Ted Taylor is again chosen for goal, and I am going to Bury believing a great game will ensure, and believing that Everton will recover their balance and their victorious strain.  Teams;- Everton; Taylor; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup.  Bury; Richardson; Heap, Adamson; Porter, Bradshaw, Finney; Amos, Ball, Bullock, Stage, Stage, Robbie. 

EVERTON AT BURY
November 26 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
Everton are to tackle Bury at Gig lane. The check sustained at the hands of Sunderland his important if anything a great spirit of determination, and Everton will be all out to recover the lost ground. Upto four weeks ago Bury were doing well, but they have lost four matches on the run, their latest defeat being sustained at Huddersfield on form Everton ought to win but Bury are always difficult to master on their own ground. Taylor returns to the Everton side in place of Davies, but Weldon is suffering from influenza and Irvine will play at inside left. The teams are: - Everton: - Taylor, Cresswell, O'Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Irvine, Troup. Bury: - Richardson; Heap, Adamson; Porter, Bradshaw, Finney, Amos, Ball, Bullock, Robbie

EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 November 1927
CHGANGED SIDE TACKLES BURY.- BY ‘BEE.”
RICHARDSON’S BENEFIT
TWO MASTERLY GOALS BY DEAN IN FIRST HALF
Everton; Taylor; Cresswell (Captain), O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Irvine, Troup.  Bury; Richardson; Heap, Adamson; Porter, Bradshaw, Finney; Amos, Ball, Bullocks, Stage, Robbie.  Referee.- Mr. G. Rennie, of Oldham.  This was Richardson’s benefit, and a perfect day he had, too.  There were some 26,000 spectators present, and of these many came by the Liverpool excursions.  Everton had a fine reception.  The famous Bury turf had cut up rather badly; and it seems to me that Sunderland’s turf now takes the plum.  Everton, as I suggested yesterday, could not play Weldon, who is bedridden.  Irvine was put at inside-left, the idea being that the right wing pair should not be split. 
TAYLOR TAKES THE STAGE.
Ted Taylor reappeared in goal, and Bury decided to play Stage.  Naturally this was a testing time for Everton, after the home defeat of a week ago.  Therefore, it was a surprise to find Secretary McIntosh and some directors not here.  They were all scouting, with the exception of directors W. J. Sangers and A. Wade, who were at Bury.  Richardson was honoured with captaincy and when he lost the toss he must have been surprised that Cresswell chose to play against the wind and sun, which meant that Taylor had to adjust his cap.  Kelly at once put a stop to Amos, who, when beaten, appealed for hands without result.  Critchley went on, and when Irvine set Troup on the move, the Irishman got a return pass.  He fired in a beautiful shot, that struck the post and passed over.  This was a lively start, and it was continued when Amos bored through, O’Donnell having slipped up after hesitating, Taylor doing well to punch away for a corner.  O’Donnell was injured for a moment, but was not unduly troubled, and when Ball drove a quick shot in, he was some yards out of his reckoning. A free kick against Forshaw, and on offside decision against Dean, stopped the flow of play till Bury once more got into attack, and Hart coolly dribbled across his own goal. 
BURY IN BUSTLING MOOD
The first sign of real life after the Irvine incident came when Dean, passing to outside left, beat Adamson, and then jumped over an attempted trip, and finding himself angled, pulled the ball back, where Bradshaw headed out to Irvine, and the shot passed out.  In return Cresswell got in front of a shot by Stage, when there was only inches between him and the goal- a very fine save.  Amos and Ball each wasted a ball at a time when Bury were rousing, rushing, and somewhat impressive.  Cresswell with a mighty thud, cleared heartedly and well.  Kelly found a handful, and a free kick through O’Donnell was a source of trouble until Kelly dropped back and cleared.  This showed how costly free kicks can become.  Critchley made a bonny run, to find it ruined by the Bury backs working the offside trick.  Everton then produced a round of passing, which created much enthusiasm and applause even though it had no culminating point.  At last Dean was on side and well placed, but Richardson had left his goal and at personal risk made a save that was received with thunderous applause.  Richardson got out of the scrum without harm, and his rival, Ted Taylor was then called upon to make a flying leap to check Amos, and when the ball bounded out of the goalkeeper’s hands, he ran across the face of the goal, took a charge, and cleared the ball.
A DIXIE TRICK
Critchly intercepted a centre narrowly but surely, and followed it up by leaving Finney yards behind, failing only when Adamson gave him a heave.  Then followed a centre from Troup, which Richardson caught, Dean nearly forcing him through with the ball.  From the corner which arose Irvine put a first-time shot in.  Stage was caught napping by Virr, who sneaked in and began an attack that led to a goal in twenty-one minutes.  The half back pushed the ball up the field instead of using the average style of punting aimlessly.  Dean was confronted by a full back.  He tricked him in the most beautiful manner by digging the ball forward, racing round the back and scoring without giving Richardson a dog’s chance.  This was Dean’s twenty-sixth goal of the season, and he had scored in every match except Sunderland and Liverpool (at home).  He tried to make another one when Richardson punched out at the same time as Dean headed.  He then headed another just over, and Forshaw eventually shot into the goalkeeper’s hands.  A goal lead makes a tremendous difference to Everton, and the tonic of a goal meant that Everton had, in a sense, put water into Bury’s petrol tank; but when Robbie, for a change, got a move on, Ball headed over the bar when he was two yards from Taylor.  This was a real let-off.
A CURIOUS GOAL.
Bury had started so well that it seemed they had run themselves out.  At any rate, Finney found Forshaw a jack-in-the-box.  Bullock was felled just outside the penalty area, and when Bradshaw took the free-kick he had no chance until the ball struck Hart and Kelly, I am not quite sure which, glanced off at a tangent, and slipped into the right hand corner of the goal, Taylor being helpless against such an unexpected turn of the ball.  Thus in thirty-three minutes the score was 1-1. 
DEAN’S MASTER STROKE.
Taylor went on to make a good save from a corner-kick, and Irvine was vexed about a hand decision.  Then, in four minutes from Bradshaw’s goal, came Dean’s second and twenty-seventh.  It was a peculiar goal in the making, because Forshaw slipped when about to make a move upward to meet the ball.  As he was falling, he headed forward, and Dean received the ball; and with a two-step worthy of a dancing-master, he beat both backs in the space of two yards, and shot in with venom, the ball striking the right upright to score a magnificent goal.  Bury were not taking this lying down, and Stage looked to be fully through when Taylor, with outstretched right hand, turned a goal into a corner-kick.  Breathing again sixty to the minute the ball was put on to the half-way, and Dean, having a race with a full-back, found Richardson cutting across his path.  The Bury goalkeeper strode out what one might call first-league boots, and got to the ball just before Dean.  In reply Robbie put the ball across an empty goal, and Dean, on half time, made an overhead hook that Bradshaw headed from the goal-line.  Half-time; Bury, Everton 2. 
PUTTING THE BRAKE ON BURY
WIN BY ODD GOAL IN 5
STIRRING SCENES ON GIGG-LANE GROUND
Troup began the second half with a fine sample of a centre when angled, and Kelly once more found Amos his master.  Taylor ran out to thump away from Ball, and was laid flat by Robbie.  The Everton goalkeeper recovered at once.  From the corner that arose Amos drove in a low ball through a crowd of players, and O’Donnell hooked it from the goal line to save the equalizer. 
BETWEEN TWO STOOLS
Forshaw made the dribble of the match, and centred too, square. Then he saw two astounding incidents.  A ball from Robbie was about to be taken by Cresswell and he and Taylor, being in two minutes, the ball was taken and left by each in turn, and escaped both.  Fortunately there was not much pace behind it, and Taylor reached out his hand again to save it.  Away went Everton on the right, and Critchley could have shot, but generously decided to pass to Dean, who was unmarked.  Dean netted, but there was no doubt it being an offside goal.  Had the pass been square the goal would have counted.
A FLASH FROM CRITCHLEY.
Critchly, however, broke through again in his own fly-away fashion, and this time he lashed out with a ferocious goal which left the poor benefit man no other duty than picking the ball out of the back of the net.  This only shows how necessary it I that extreme wingers should take a shot on occasion.  Everton at fifty-five minutes were leading 3-1, and, lest we forget, mention must be made of O’Donnell again heading out from near the goal-line, even though Taylor would have caught the ball.
TAYLOR IS STAGE-STRUCK
The game took another surprise turn when, at the stroke of the hour, Porter tried a long shot, which Taylor reached without clearing, and Stage, running up, scored into what was virtually an empty goal.  No two players played quite so well as Hart and Virr.  The game went scrappy and disorganized, and there were too many free-kicks for the game to be a brilliant one, even though the goals made it a spicy game.  Dean hit a flivver a yard out, and it looked as if he had hurt someone, as there was a call for ambulance men at the spot the ball landed.  The official attendance was 25,292, the biggest attendance Bury has had this season.  All the spectators would be prepared to say that Dean was unlucky when Critchley centred and Dean headed against the cross-bar, with the goalkeeper well out of touch with the ball.
THE BENEFIT MAN HURT.
In a solo run Richardson collided with Dean, and was badly hurt, yet was able to resume, and indeed made a good punch away from Critchley.  Bullock’s best work was produced now, his header slightly over the bar being a gem of an effort.  Bradshaw had a bad patch and now broke into life to find Amos running the ball out.  Bury made a magnificent fight in the last ten minutes and the light not being at all good, the work of the Everton defenders became more and more troublesome.  Except for some shooting just outside, Everton were mainly on the defence for a longish spell.  Bury deserved praise for their enormous finishing rally.  This is Bury’s fifth successive defeat.  Final; Bury 2, Everton 3. 

EVERTON RES V WOLVES RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 November 1927
At Goodison Park.  Everton had enjoyed most of the attack of the first half.  The Wanderers, however, by reason of fine sharpshooting and quick action in the early stages, managed to lead by a goal at the interval.  Brilliant combination from both sides marked the opening play.  Bowes scored twice before the twentieth minute, Harrington’s persistence leading to the goals.  The visiting ‘keeper was the busier of the two, and he had a couple of rare defenders in Williams and Fox.  Dominy had been near for Everton, White had the hardest of lines, and it was Roscoe who eventually scored after Easton’s shot had been saved.  Prior to this Bain was lucky in not conceding a goal.  The quality of the combination slightly deteriorated towards the interval.  Half-time; Wolverhampton 2, Everton Reserves 1.  On resuming McDougall scored a third for the Wolves. 
Prescot 4, Everton A 2

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 November 1927
By Louis T. Kelly

BURY 2 EVERTON 3
November 28 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
EVERTON REACH 50 GOALS.
A GOOD WIN AT BURY
By "Bees."
The defeat sustained at home against Sunderland and the knowledge that Bury having lost four successive games, would put up a brave and hearty show led the Everton game to bear an unusually testing strain. Fortunately, Everton got an early goal, and that being so, there was a return of confidence. The Bury eleven were plainly trying to rush Everton off their known tactics. Everton won 3-2 after one of the hardest fights it has been my lot to witness. The game was never won or lost till the final whistle had sounded and then Everton had deservedly won and had scored their fiftieth goal –a remarkable record at this still early period of the season. Everton won because they were the more polished eleven and because Dean was not held by the centre half-back or full backs. Dean does not consider goalkeepers –he givens them no chance when he elects to drive a ball towards goal. Adamson came back to the Bury side, and the old forward formation was retained. Amos was the greatest source of danger. Robbie too, gave a good exhibition, every run beyond Virr being full of danger, but Bullock was held as in a vice by Hart whose heading and feeding were main features of his continued excellent game. Even so, I should hesitate to put him in front of Virr, who had a specially good day and in addition to attacking, made some lovely solo runs up the field and led to a goal being scored through his keen anticipation.
FANCIFUL TURNS.
The game took many fanciful turns. First Everton won the toss and once again chose face the sun and wind. Next, Dean opened the score, and Bradshaw equalised with a free kick that touched Kelly and turned a course totally unexpected by Taylor or any of the spectators –there were 25000 present to show appreciation of Richardson the Bury goalkeeper, who took his benefit match. With the scorer level and Bury's enthusiasm no awakened, the game was opened out, and not until Dean got his second goal could Everton feel safe. These goals were of a peculiar pattern. In the first case Dean juggled with the ball to turn it beyond the full back and skip around the defender in one and the same stroke as it were. He drove in a ball that hit the upright before it entered the net. His second goal came after he had worked the ball beyond two backs in the space of about a yard –old style of dribbling that recalled. McDermott's former methods for Everton but there is this difference between the pair –McDermott was not a good shot; Dean is. Critcheley generously offered Dean a hat-trick performance, but the centre had stretched a foot too far upward and was thus offside. Critchley took the next opportunity off his own boot and flashed the ball into the goal. This should have been sufficient for most sides, but Bury were a desperate side, and in the gloaming Porter, a half-back, sent in a long shot, which Taylor did not gather, and Stage, running up, scored with ease.
TWENTY MINUTES' BATTLE.
Then the battle waged for sometime like twenty minutes. Bury skirted this way and that the Everton backs had to kick away to the touch lines; O'Donnell twice headed away from the goal line, and Bury with a little steadiness would have taken a draw. They did not because they were over-anxious, but Everton proved wrong tactically when they fell back to assist the defenders and thereby courted attacks. Against Bury's wild finishing came a bright spot from Dean, who headed a Critchley centre against the crossbar. It was hard going all the way, and the clever side won the spoils deservedly. Irvine's appearance at inside left in view of Weldon's illness brought a new touch to the leaders' side, and though the Irishman showed all its old-time skill in dribbling, he hardly fitted the new Everton pattern of play.
CRITCHLEY PROMINENT.
Critchley played a smart game, and Forshaw by his side had to give a hand to Kelly, who seemed to be labouring against the little man Amos. This much can be said for Bury –they should make an upward move for they have a brilliant pivot, and Bullock will not be meeting many more men of the stamp of Hart and the full backs, both of whom played cleverly Cresswell's first half display being great. Bury's weakness was at wing half-back, Finney seeming to shy at having a personal tilt with his wing, while the backs were outpaced. Teams: - Bury: - Richardson, goal, Heap, and Adamson, backs, Porter, Bradshaw, and Finney, half-backs, Robbie, Stage, Bullock, Ball, and Amos, forwards. Everton: - Taylor, goal, Cresswell (captain), and O'Donnell, backs, Kelly, Hart, and Virr half-backs, Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Irvine, and Troup, forwards.

EVERTON RESERVES 1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS RESERVES 4
November 28 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 14)
For a club at the foot of the league Wolverhampton played surprisingly good football at Goodison Park Bowen scoring twice early on and Roscoe netted for Everton. Canavan, the Wolverhampton keeper was the player who so often thwarted Everton. were completely unbalanced. McDougall and Charnley added further goals for Wolverhampton.

PRESCOT 4 EVERTON "A" 2
November 28 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
GEORGE MAHON CUP
At Precot. Early on Wilkinson scored twice for Everton, but Houghton and Tarrett from a penalty replied for Prescot. Prescot were the better side in the second half and Rhodes and Fletcher scored.

STURDY IN STYLES
Athletic News - Monday 28 November 1927
BURY’S DASH NO MATC FOR EVERTON CRAFT
DEAN THE WIZARD
BURY 2, EVERTON 3
By Rufus
Adaptability is an asset to any team in quest of honours.  In three successive seasons Huddersfield Town emerged with the League laurels largely through their capacity to adapt themselves to the needs of the moment.  Their successors Newcastle United, also had the ability to employ methods contrary to their usual custom on occasion, while at Gigg-lane on Saturday Everton, potential champions, found it necessary after a  time to discard their customary scientific and fight a stubborn rearguard resistance to foil the assaults of Bury’s energetic raiders.  They did so successfully.  Everton, however, were in some respects fortunate to emerge from a rare game with full points.  Bury’s unflagging enthusiasm, and earnest endeavor after the interval were commendable virtues, but with a little less expenditure of energy and greater cohesion in attacking movements a point might have been saved..  Instead they bemoan the fifth successive defeat.  To such extremities did the versatile Goodison vanguard reduce the Bury defence that one anticipated a steady sequence of visiting goals accruing.  The ball had only to reach the head or foot of the mercurial DEAN for the home backs to become apparently mesmerized, but the England leader’s first point, which came after twenty minutes’ play was as choice an example of the centre-forward’s art as could be wished for a through pass being brought under control when running at top speed both backs being beaten by an elusive swerve, and the ball driven leisurely into the net past the advancing goalkeeper.  However, Bury persevered and when BRADSHAW took a free-kick awarded for a foul on Bullock Taylor was surprised to find the ball diverted by a defender’s shoulder into the far corner of the net.
ANOTHER FOR DEAN
The irrepressible DEAN was not to be denied, however, and swopping down on the hesitant Bury backs, he mastered Heap in a tackle for possession and swept on to defeat Richardson at close quarters, the ball striking the post on its course to the net.  When CRITCHLEY and Dean raced a breast down the right-wing the Bury backs withheld their challenge in anticipation of a transfer from wingman to centre, which did not materlaise, the outside right revealing rare resource by cutting in and driving at a great pace past the helpless Richardson, who later distinguished himself by diving at the feat of Dean, and thereby averting a certain goal at the expense of a painful knock.  Prior to this, however, STAGE had reduced the arrears by scrambling the ball through after Taylor had failed to clear completely a long shot from Porter.  Taylor was not the masterful goalkeeper of old, but this was the only flaw noticeable in the Goodison defence.  Cresswell was generally the debonair defender, cool and assured in tackle or clearance, but capable of intervening with a rapier-like thrust when emergencies arose. 
DOMINANT MIDDLEMAN
A stalwart in defence when danger threatened Hunter Hart also dictated the attacking policy of the side, alternating the bold sweep to the wings with the midfield transfer which set Dean on a harassing expedition.  The only complaint I have against the Everton attack is a tendency to rely solely on their leader to collect goals.  With the chance they had, Irvine, and Forshaw –wholly admirable in leading up play- should have augmented the Goodison goal crop. As to Dean, he is surely without a peer in his position in present day football.  Bury’s saving grace was their spirit.  Though outclassed they never gave up trying. All the same, obvious weaknesses will require remedying if the relegation bogy is to be kept at bay.  Bury; Richardson; Heap, Adamson; Porter, Bradshaw, Finney; Robbie, Stage, Bullock, Ball, and Amos.  Everton; Taylor; Cresswell, O’Donnell; Kelly, Hart, Virr; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Irvine, and Troup.  Referee; Mr. J. Rennie, Oldham. 

EVERTON NAIL THE DESPERADOES
Liverpool Echo - Monday 28 November 1927
Bee’s Notes when Everton returned from Bury were puffing and blowing –in spite of the treatment received from Trainer Cooke and General George Clarkson!  This was due to the fact that Richardson, the Bury goalkeeper, had shown his appreciation of the day’s pleasure by presenting them with cigars and a drop of something with which to wet their boots!  Everton had been puffing and blowing in the game with Bury, and the reason of that was they ran up against a desperate side, and nailed them down successful after a very fierce game, in which, after taking a lead of 3-1, they had to fight every inch of the way to prevent a draw.  Bury looked more dangerous than they really were.  Everton were always the more distinctive in front of goal, and while Taylor had a lot to do in goal. Richardson was left with no chance; indeed, he had the woodwork to save him when Dean looked like getting his third goal of the day.  Admittedly, Bury were below Everton standard, yet watch future results, and see if the side does not begin to win against after a spell of five consecutive losses.  One of their directors said; “Of course, I am not happy about the result, but I am happy about the team, for they played well- they met a vastly better side.”  Which is fact, which is the more sensible than growling at the beaten eleven. 
A WORD, ALLOW ME
But a word with the leaders of the League.  When you are in front by 3-1 it is not necessary or wise to call extreme wingers and inside forwards to become half-backs.  The Everton halfbacks during the last twenty minutes’ rally by Bury numbered about seven.  And they got into each other’s way; and, worse than that, the whole principle was inviting Bury to have a go at the defence.  Everton should have played their normal attacking game.  The best defence is attack, and at the game Everton could have swamped Bury.  As it was, Everton simply played solo hands in the last twenty minutes, and the others fell back to be a hindrance to their own side.  It is wrong tactically.  Bury were always on tenterhooks when the winners’ forward line was working in harmony; and in that connection the first thing to do is to state how Irvine played at inside left.  It was a new position to him, and he showed that he can play well anywhere; but the sum total of his game was that Troup had not a great deal to do- which seems a pity.  Irvine went through to daze his various half backs with sinuous runs, but his style did not fit the new Everton style, which has been a connecting link with the half back line, each forward getting into position after giving a pass, so that he can take up the return pass.  However, Irvine put in useful shots, was strong in raiding, as ever, and was a willing worker. 
THE FIFTIETH GOAL.
Everton’s goal crop has reached the fifty mark, and those three of Saturday at Bury were hard earned, if ever goals were gained through sheer determination and skill.  Dean’s two I have already described in the “Football Echo,” and it is only necessary to add now that he was playing against a possibly Scottish centre-half-back in Tiny Bradshaw, whom he out-headed many times.  Dean’s first was a juggling act; his second was a McDermott type, with a dandy dribble on a sixpence as it were, and a flash drive finished the ideal movement.  There’s no stopping this young man, who to-day goes to Burnley to lead England, and thus plays his fourth game in nine days.  Critchley’s game was worth a special line knowing that some spectators have been and still ace inclined to say, “Get shut.”  Critchley began by wasting a ball or two, but later he got away to a flying start and showed that he is more of a footballer than a sprinter.  His presentation goal to Dean (offside as it happened through no fault of the right winger) was a gem, and his goal was the result of a fine determined solo action.  Kelly struck me as below form.  He seemed to be laboring against Amos, and there were times when I felt he must be knocked or unfit in some other way.  On the other hand, Virr played a champion game fore and aft, and Hart once again tied up the opposition centre, and found time to make a ground pass.  Hart is the marvel of this season.  Cresswell’s first half exhibition was a study of wise intention, tackle, and punt.  O’Donnell got on the goal line and made some saves for Taylor, who returned to their side, and made some lovely catches, but did not get down to one from a half back named Porter, Stage being an easy goal getter.  It was then the battle raged furiously, and the storms did below, and Everton weathered the storm in a manner that suggested they had forgotten all about that Sunderland defeat, which I am sure is reassuring news to the Everton people who did not make the journey.  Two train loads did make the journey and made themselves heard, too.

DEAN CAPPED.
November 29 th 1927. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
Wales beat England at Burnley yesterday, before 32,089 spectators.

RESERVES TEAM
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 29 November 1927
Everton Reserves to visit Derby County is; Davies; Raitt, R. Curr; Bain, Griffiths, Rooney; Roscoe, Irvine, White, Dominy, Kendrick. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 1927