THE WANDERERS NEW SCRETARY
August 1 st 1986. Cricket and Football Field.
Interview with Mr. Frank Brettell
As is pretty well known by now, at the meeting of the Bolton Wanderers' directors on Tuesday evening, Mr. Frank Brettle, of Liverpool, was unanimously appointed secretary succession to Mr. AH Downs, who resigned the position one month ago. This decision was arrived after eighty applications had been considered, and three selected candidates appeared before the directors. The choice ultimately fell to Mr. Brettell, whose experience and general claims were regarded as best fitted to meet the requirement of the club. Although Mr. Brettell is exceedingly known in Liverpool football circles, he needs some introducing to the Bolton public, to whom he comes as a stranger, though Bolton football is by no means strange to him. Accordingly I sought him out one evening this week (July 28) for the purpose or running into print the full and complete history of his career, or as much of it as Mr. Brettle modesty would permit him to pour out. Genial and chatty, I found him willing to talk fast enough, but rather loath to be dragged into any conversation which might savour of blowing his own trumpet with unnecessary force.
Asked as to his first connection with football, Mr. Brettell answered that it commenced as far back as 1878, when association football was first played in Liverpool by the old Everton club on Stanley Park, was, of course quite a youth at that time the club being run by a lot of young fellows for their own amusement. We used to play the clubs in the district, but were only what would be considered a junior team now. In 1880 I was made secretary and continued to play myself for several years afterwards, until I had been in the wars so often that I was forced to give up, I had my leg broken above the ankle, playing in a second team match one season, and afterwards went half-back and occasionally goal, having previously played centre-forward and inside left. In my day, of course, Everton was but a struggling club, and in 1880 we wished to introduce a first class team down Liverpool. I was then secretary, and it is a remarkable coincidence that the first big club that consented to come was the Bolton Wanderers. They did it to foster the game in the district, of course. The ground was not enclosed, as I interposed. They played us on the park, and among the men I remember were Gleaves, the half-back, McKernan, Parkinson, Dobson, Struthers and Steel. I remember the match very well. The crowd broke onto the field at the finish, and there being no protection for the players had a time, you can guess. Bootle were going then too, Yes there was a great rivalry between Everton and Bootle, and for one match Mr. Lythgoe brought down a lot of the Druids to assist them, and we were beaten. Next time I got George Dobson, Fallon, and two or three others from Bolton to help us, and we did give Bootle a licking. I played at Bolton in 1884, when I think Everton appeared for the first time at Pikes-lane. We also played Halliwell Jubilee, I think, the same season. About this time Everton also met Great Lever and Astley Bridge, and I played against both the old clubs and several others now extinct. In 1885 Mr. Alec Nesbit became secretary for two years, and I was a sort of assistant. About that time I commenced newspaper work, and have continued since I stop playing. Mr. Barclay succeeded Mr. Nesbit, and subsequently Mr. Molneux was secretary. You have always kept up your connection with football ? Constantly. Since the split I have had more to do with the Anfield club, in a semi official way, but have also attended many of the Everton matches. Last season I travelled four or five thousand miles, including tours with both teams, as newspaper representative. I have been doing work for the Mercury for eleven years, and there are few grounds in the country I have not visited, and none belonging to the First and Second Division clubs. I think I may safely say I have always kept closely in touch with the Association game.
You had charge of the Liverpool team at the end of last season.?
Yes. The boys were three weeks at Birkdale Hydro. We got on pretty well, and Liverpool are in the First Division.
They ought to make a splash there, I ventured to murmur?
Rather, said Brettell warmly. They have a capital team, and a man like Tom Watson should keep them to the front in no small way. Liverpool are likely to boom next season.
In the course of a long conversation we had on various topics it was evident that Mr. Brettell was, to say the least, thoroughly conversant with every phase of professional football, whilst on the authority of the Liverpool press I see that his ardour in connection with theatrical galas and other sports at Anfield has contributed greatly to their success. Mr. Brettell is really a schoolmaster by profession, but has latterly devoted himself almost entirely to press work in the Athletic line. Although comparatively a young man, he has had years of experience of a character which should specially fit him for the post of secretary, and I think mention that his application was supported by Mr. T. Gunning (late secretary of the London Association); Mr. HP Ellis, the Liverpool handicapper; Mr. John Lewis (Blackburn Rovers) and Mr. John McKenna (Liverpool), among many others. Mr. JJ Bentley considered him a very suitable candidate. Mr. Lewis described him as one of the best authorities in Liverpool, and Mr. McKenna has also spoken flatteringly on his behalf, specially commending his judgement of players, and placing of them in the field. Mr. Brettle leaves Liverpool with the best wishes of a large circle of friends, for he has grown with the game there, and I have no doubt Boltonians will welcome him with true goodwill and consideration, and that players, shareholders, and supporters needs scarcely be asked to co-operate with him in such a manner as to ensure a smooth progress and contribute to the future fame and success of the Bolton Wanderers.

STANLEY v  EVERTON FOOTBALL TEAM
Th e Liverpool Daily Post –Saturday, August 8, 1896
This match will be played at Stanley park to-day commencing at half-past two o’clock, when the following will represent Everton; W. Stewart, A. Milward, H. Storer, A. Hartley, Elliott, McMahon, Molyneux, Taylor, Arridge, Boyle, Robertson, Cameron, Campbell, Nash, and Bell.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
The Liverpool Echo-Tuesday August 14, 1896
Last evening, an influential committee, under the chairmanship of Dr. Baxter, met at the Bee Hotel, St. John’s lane, to further the arrangements of the athletic gathering to be held at Stanley on Saturday, August 22, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to local charities. The Chairman mentioned that a deputation had waited on the Lord Mayor, inviting his lordship’s patronage and co-operation, and that Lord Derby had expressed himself in sympathy with the proposed gathering, and promised to do what he could towards assisting in making it a success. An attractive programme of events has been drawn up, and for each contest three valuable prizes will be given. The events are;- 100 yards invitation scratch race, 120 yards handicap, 440 yards handicap, one mile handicap, half-mile bicycle handicap, one mile bicycle handicap, two miles bicycle handicap, 440 yards obstacle race, a two miles scratch barriers’ race, and a tug of war. The entries for the different competitions close on Monday, august 17, the hon. Secretary being Mr. R. Molyneux, Goodison-Park, Liverpool.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
The Liverpool Daily Post- Thursday, August 20, 1896
MUSTERING THE PLAYERS
Yesterday the annual reunion of the Everton Football Club players was held at Freshfield, and as the weather was of the most propitious character the gathering was thoroughly enjoyable. The players and several of the directors and Mr. Molyneux, the secretary, mustered at the ground at Goodison Park, and, prior to starting for Freshfield in several well-horsed charabanc, belonging to Mappin, Walton, the party lunched at the Spellow Hotel, and bout noon were on the road, an enjoyable drive through the country afterwards being experienced. As soon as the party arrived at their destination, a visit was paid to the Formby Cricket Club ground, which, along with material, had been kindly placed at the disposal of the football players. Here sides, consisting of fifteen men each, were chosen by Messrs, Storrier, and Briggs, and a match was played, Briggs’s team winning by 69 runs and eight wickets. Prizes were offered for the highest battling honours and also for the best bowling. Schofield and Menham on the one side and Elliott and Hughes on the other carried off the prizes for battling, and Menham, Storrier, Chadwick, and Milward those for bowling. Following this an adjournment was made to the Grapes Hotel, where justice was done to the catering of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sullivan. Afterwards, bowls, billiards, and various other pastimes were indulged in the spacious grounds of the hostelry, and when dusk set in the company adjourned to the large entertainment room of the hotel, where an excellent smoking concert took place. Mr. Willie Cuff presided at the piano, and some excellent vocal music was listened to the songs being interlarded with speeches and toasts. Mr. Molyneux spoke at some length on the prospects of the club during the coming season and trusted that several of the principal honours would come to Everton- for preference, the League Championship and the English Cup. He said that their professional strength numbered thirty players, and a thoroughly representative team could always be relied upon. All the players with the exception of Holt, Cameron, and Balmer were present, and amongst the directors were Messrs. Crawshaw, Prescott, Davies, Bainbridge, and Cuff, and Secretary Molyneux.
Practice games have been arranged for tomorrow and Wednesday next, so that the public will have special opportunities given them for seeing the players before the serious business of the season commences.
The arrangements for next Saturday’s athletic sports at Stanley are now complete, and for the invitation race several of the principal sprinters of the day have promised to be present.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB CHAIRTY SPORTS
The Liverpool Daily Post – Thursday, August 20, 1896
The committee which have been working so assiduously for the Everton Football Club Charity Sports have now completed their labours, and are able to present one of the best programmes of events and competitors to the public, which should in itself command an overflowing gate. When it is mentioned that the whole of the proceeds will go to the local charities there can be no doubt that the committee will receive the practical support of every follower of the club and of the general public. There is great variety in the programme, which by the way, is not too lengthy, a mistake made in some cases, and the entries show a magnificent list of class names, including W.H. Morton, the long-distance champion, who has always don well at Everton Football Club sports. All the sprint champions will turn out in the invitation sprint race. There is a splendid entry for the cycle events, and these races will be worth going a long way to see. An innovation in the harriers’ team race, which has brought forth a grand entry, and will allow the spectators to see all the leading harriers competing in the one event.

BLUES V WHITES
August 22 1896. The Liverpool Mercury
The gates of the Everton Football Club were thrown open to the public last evening when about 18,000 persons gathered round the enclosure to witness the first of the practice games preparatory to the opening of the season. All the new men were down, and with last season's retained players with the exception of Holt furnished strong sides and taking the nature of the game into consideration gave a really capital display. The opening stages savoured pretty much an earnest contest, and there were many pleasing bits of play that the crowd fairly appreciated, but so evenly constituted were the respectative side that it was not until late on that the Blues asserted their superiority over the Whites, and kept the lead until the close. Early on in the game McDonald, whose leg caused him considerable trouble has season after the Scottish tour, had to retire as it again gave way, and Molyneux was drafted into his position as right full back. The newcomers gave general satisfaction; in fact, the remark applies to all the players, but a passing compliment is due to Briggs, who gave an excellent display of custodianship. The following were the players who took part. - Blues: - Menham, goal, Barker, and Storrier, backs, Boyle, Goldie, and Stewart, halfbacks, Taylor, Williams Hartley, McDonald, and Schofield, forwards. Whites: - Briggs, goals, McDonald, and Arridge, backs, Nash, Meiklejohn, and Robinson, halfbacks, Bell, Campbell, Cameron Chadwick, and Milward, forwards.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
The Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday, August 22, 1896
The first of the practice games at Goodison Park took place last evening, in the presence of some 18,000 spectators, and the class of play provided turned out as satisfactorily as the attendances. The sides were fairly well balanced, and it was not until late on in the game that the Blues notched a point, and keeping the lead, won by a goal to nil. All the men appear ready for the arduous work of the season, and one of the most pleasing items to chronicle was the general success of the newly initiated to the Everton ranks. Defensive play was a leading feature of the proceedings, but the sides all round showed plenty of resource at this early stages, which augers well for a successful season. The Whites were handicapped materially owing to the enforced retirement of McDonald, whose leg again gave way, but Molyneux, who afterwards filled his position, did fairly well. The following players took part in the game;- Blues;- Menham, goal; Barker and Storrier, backs; Boyle, Holt, and Stewart, half-backs; Taylor, Williams, Hartley, McDonald and Schofield, forwards. White; Briggs, goal; McDonald and Arridge, abcks; Nash, Meiklejohn, and Robertson, half-backs; Bell, Campbell, Cameron, Chadwick, and Milward, forwards.
EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB CHARITY SPORTS
Alderman H.H. Hornby will distribute the prizes to successful competitors.

THE EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB SPORTS
The Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, August 24, 1896
Fine weather favoured this athletic festival, held on Saturday at Stanley Grounds. There was a good number of spectators present, consequently the respective local medical charities, on behalf of whose funds the meeting was held, will receive substantial aid. Owing to the energy of the Everton directors the prizes given for the different events were above the average class, and several of the competitions received large entries. What, however, was regarded as the “prime cut” on the programme the 100 yards invitation race, only brought out half a dozen starters, and instead of occupying three heats, it was made short work of, the winner being J.W. Bradley, of Huddersfield, who, with a good spurt at the finish, covered the distance in even time. Bradley also won the 120 yards handicap in 11 4.5 secs. There was nothing very exciting in any of the wheeling events. The following are the results;-
120 yards Open Handicap (run in fifteen heats)-The following were the first round winners;- A. Halden, D.H. Massam, E. Nener, J. Finney, W.T. Reid, T. Coghlan, D. Barr, J.W. Bradley, W.A. Hind, R. Bromilow, P.E. Hill, F. Lawrenson, W. Willings, H. Pritchard, and C. Heaton. Second Round (first and second to run in final); First heat; 1. Reid; 2, Finney. Second heat; 1, Bradley; 2, Bromilow. Third heat; 1, Pritchard; 2, Lawrenson, Final; 1, Bradley, Huddersfield (13 yards); 2, Lawrenson, Ashfield Harriers (10); 3, Pritchard 7 ¾). Won on the post. Time, 11 4-5 secs.
Half-mile Bicycle Handicap (six heats)-First round; Heat 1. H.C. Jones and S.P. Allen; heat 2, H.B. Monk and A.E. Strickland; heat, 3 J. Daglish and W.J. Davies, heat 4, F. Mowbray and J. Clegg; heat 5, T. Scott, jun, and A. Duckett; heat 6, J.F. Healey and T. Astill. Second Round; heat 1, Strickland, Monk, and Allen; heat 2, Mowbray, Scott, and Astill. Final; 1, Monk, Liverpool Police (65 yards); 2, Allen (80); 3, Scott, jun, L.V.C.C. (50); Mowbray fell. Time 1 min. 5-3 secs.
Tug of War- Liverpool Police, Tate’s Sugar Rennery (Nos 1 and 2 teams). Kaufmann and Lawson’s White Star Stevedores, Sefton and District, Bootle Athletic, and Bootle Police supplied the teams. Liverpool and Bootle Police, the White Star, and Sefton District survived the first round. In the second round Liverpool Police beat White Star, and Sefton and District (after a long contest) defeated Bootle Police. Ultimately Liverpool Police defeated Sefton and District.
440 Yards Handicap Race (five heats, first and second to run in final).- First Round; Heat 1, D. H. Massam and S. Elliott; heat 2 R.W. Jones and J. Gardner; heat 3, H. Kenyon and P.E. Hill; heat 4, W. Riley and J. Donaldson; heat 5, H. Roberts and E.J. Newhall. Final; 1, Kenyon, 11 yards; 2, Massam, Thornton H. 13, 3, Elliott, Salford Harriers, 6. Time 50 s-secs.
Mile Bicycle Handicap 9five heats, first and second to run in final).- First Round; Heat 1, F.J. Bray and W.J. Davies; beat 2, R. Thomas and J.W. Davenport; heat 3, S.B. Moss and J. Clegg; heat 4, B. Monk and J. Daglish; heat 5, T. Astill and A. Duckett. Final 1, Moss Manchester, 95 yards; 2. J. Clegg, 160; 3, Astill, Warrington, 90.
Miles Handicap Race- 1, A. Looney, L.H. and A.C. 26 yards; 2, J. Walsh, Salford H. 40; 3, J. Walsh, Florence H. 75, Thirteen started. Won easy.
100 yards Invitation Race- J. Bradley. Huddersfield; 2, T.M. Nicholson, Whitby. Also started; J. Bailey, Bowiing; W.H. Mills, Oswestry; R. W. Jones, Salford; and G.F. Sandford, Mew York F.C. The men got off the mark very badly, and it was soon seen that the struggle lay with Bradley. Nichoson, and Bailey, the Huddersfield man just managing to spurt forward at the finish and breast the tape in front of Nichoson. Bailey was close on the heels of the latter, but there was no third prize. Time, 10sec. 440 Yards Obstacle Race (Handicap).- 1, J. Ferris, Hurst H, 55 yards; 2 J. Campbell, Birkenhead, 40; 3. A. Hughton, Sefton H. 50.
Two Miles Bicycle Handicap.- Four heats (first and second to run in final). First round; Heat 1, W. Lowe and T. Scott, jun,; heat 2, T. Astill and H.C. Prickett; heat 3, S.B. Moss and J.F. Healey; heat 4, B. Newcombe and Williamson. Final; 1, Newcombe, Warrington C.C, 155 yards; 2 Williamson, 165; 3 Lowe, Rainhill, 230.
Two Miles Scratch Harrier race- Teams were sent from Ashfield, West Cheshire, Liverpool North End, Liverpool, Salford, Sefton, and Gordon Clubs. Salford won, E. Watterson, of the winning club, coming in first; A. Looney, Liverpool 2; and J. Walsh, Sefton, 3.
During the evening the Police band, under Mr. A.P. Crawley’s conductorship, went through an excellent programme of music. The prizes were distributed at the close of the sports by Mr. H.H. Hornby, chairman of the Liverpool Watch Committee.

THE FOOTBALL CAMPAIGN
The Liverpool Daily Post, Saturday, August 29, 1896
WAITING THE KICK-OFF
The Everton club appear to be in a high state of efficiency this season. The majority of the old players have been retained, and will be backed up by “new blood.” Kelso, Hillman, and Adams are seeking fame on Scotland fields. In selecting their new players the Everton directors have not bought men with fancy reputations this time. Two are ex-soldiers- Grenadier Guards men- while the others are young “Scotties” with names to make. The two former are R.W. Menham, a fine all-round athletic, standing 6ft 1in, and weighing 13st 4lb., and Sergeant G. Barker, 5ft 10in, high, 11st 9lbs, weight, whose discharge from his regiment was purchased by Everton. When one thinks of it the Army is a good place to select footballers from. Young soldiers can be depended upon for health, strength, and muscle, and well trained. In going soldiering one of the first places a man is turned into is the gymnasium, and if he was a liking for football and is worth his salt, he soon finds himself in the regimental team. Therefore the War office are killing two birds with one stone-they make soldiers and footballers at the same time, and if a promising “dribbler” gets sick of being Tommy Atkins, all he has to do is to get a football club to supply him with his discharge, and you have your football professional made and trained with the taxpayers money. It is quite easy when you know how to do it. The only risk you run is the possibility of your protégé losing his balance of mind by his perhaps too sudden accession to wealth, because there is a tremendous difference between the pay of a private soldier or a N.C.O, and that of a football professional. The risk is all on your side, not the soldier’s. However, Everton seem all right in this respect, and to all appearances have got two capital bargains. Menham had all the attributes of a good goalkeeper, and Barker has some reputation as a right full back. The other new players are J. Robertson, left half back, late of Greennock Morton; J. Taylor (Dumbarton and St. Mirren)., a Scottish international; J. Cameron (Patrick Thistle and Greennock Morton), a centre forward described as “speedy and a deadly shot at goal.” This is the sort of player Everton has been on the look out for years. Got him at last! Now, Cameron, your debut at Goodison park will probably be witnessed by 20,000 pairs of eyes, and I trust that reputation will be sustained. Mind you play up to it. Then there is William Campbell who played inside right for Renton, but is “able to play in any position forward except centre.” Well, we shall not require Willie or anybody else to play centre if Cameron is spared his health and strength. Last of the “new blood,” and least so far as inches go, is W. Nash. He is 5ft 6 ½ in, in height (half-an-inch less then Campbell and an inch and half shorter than Robertson), and 10st 7lb, in poundage, not a very formidable person for a right half back; but as he is said to be a Dicky Boyle in miniature, Nash evidently possesses quality if he doesn’t quantity. Mr. Molyneux, speaking at the Everton picnic, held at Freshfield the other day, said he anticipated great things from his players this season. They were all made of the right sort of stuff, and were in a tip-top state of efficiency. They had material for three teams, one as good as the other. Therefore a fresh and effective pone could always be relied upon, no matter what competition they might be engaged in. He hoped to see realised this next season what the club had always desired-the possession of the Association Cup, which he trusted would be placed alongside that of the League. They would be engaged in other Cup contests besides these two, but for choice he asked them to win the League Championship and the English Cup. They could supplement these with others if they liked, but the two named for preference. It was, eh said, a large order, but not outside their capabilities. ‘Hear, hear.” Mr. Molyneux, I for one hope your dream will be realised.

OPENING SEASON
August 31 1896. The Liverpool Mercury
Beyond improvements to the ground and a satisfactory selection of new blood there is little new to record of the Everton club. The practice games were about the average of such like contracts and there is every prospect of a successful season. The fixtures are much the same as usual that is, they are made up chiefly of League engagements cup ties, and a few ‘'friendly'' of the best class among the latter being those with Glasgow Rangers (tomorrow), Anglo Scots trial team (Boyle's benefit), Manchester City, Celtic ands the last but not least, Liverpool. The directors have made but few changes in their staff of professionals. The names of Adams, Kelso Hillman, and McInnes will not be the familiars ones of last season, but as far as could be gleaned from the preliminary canters the new recruits appear to reflect credit upon the judgement of those who had the selection in hand. The abilities of Taylor who was identified with Dumbarton and St Mirren's and had played four times against the English League and against the Irish and Welsh Associations are well known, and the right wing will be much strengthened by his inclusion, while the other new men come with good credentials, and doubtless when called upon will make a big efforts to build up a reputation. The forwards department gives promise of great success and from the halfbacks at the disposal of the club there need be no doubts entertained as to efficiency in this line. The full backs positions however, do not appear to reach the efficient standard of last year, but possibly the shortcomings in this direction will be remedied before the season is well on its way. The post of custodianship will likely be in the hands of Briggs, who did so well last back end, and also in the general practice games. The club is fortunate in having a friendly game at home tomorrow evening against Glasgow Rangers preparatory to their first League match with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday also at Goodison road where the approaches and ground will once again present their usual animated appearances.

EVERTON
August 31, 1896.
The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent
Everton, the club of big gates, who had 15,000 people to watch their first practice, have been making changes will strengthen the team remains to be seen. However, that may be the “Toffeemen” have such a wealth of talent at command that they are bound to figure prominently in the great competitions during the coming season. Adams has gone to Edinburgh, and Kelso and Hillman to Dundee, and neither will the Everton ranks know McInnes any more. The new men are Menham, a goalkeeper who has been a soldier, Barker a Guardsman (full back); Cameron (Greenock) and Campbell (Renton) both centre forwards; T. Robertson (Greennock), half-backs, and Nash (Dumbarton) inside right. The Evertonians open the season on Saturday next, when they entertain Sheffield Wednesday.

EVERTON
The Athletic News -Monday, August 31, 1896
By the Loiterer
The public have shown as much interest as ever in the preliminary canters of the Everton teams for some 15,000 persons attended the first practice, while 10,000 turned out to view the second. Very fair games were played, the men at times taking a rather serious view of matters. Still, too much can be made out of what, at the best, is only intended as a breather for the old ‘ins, and an opportunity to the new ones of adapting themselves to the new surroundings. With the exception of Holt, all the old members, barring Hillman and Kelso, who have gone to Dundee, and Adams, who has returned to Edinburgh, turned out, and to see Boyle’s accurate placing of the ball, and Stewart’s peculiar, though none the less effective, mode of feeding the forwards, takes one’s mind back four months, so identical is the style of to-day with that with which they finished last season. The new recruits in the half-back line are Nash (right), from Dumbarton, and Robertson (left) from Greennock Morton. Both are study lads, and gave a good account of themselves. Then there is Goldie, who played in the League team during the time Holt was laid up last season. Je is as good as ever, and little, or any, inferior to the regular playing members. Assuming Holt is all right, I do not anticipate any change in this important part of the team. There may be some competition among the forwards. Schofield, a local lad, as outside left, will want some shaking off, for he plays a good game in the open, and, in addition, is a deadly shot at goal, a very essential accompaniment to a forward’s usefulness. The centre-forward is another position which will be challenged, for Cameron, of Greennock Morton, has filled the position creditably in the practice games, and Hartley will have to smarten up to maintain his place. The Queen’s Park Cameron is out of the reckoning at present. Bell is safe, and I should say he will have Taylor, an old Dumbarton club-mate, who last season played for Paisley St. Mirren, as a partner, but which will take the outside position? Their style is very similar, and both are big good ‘uns. Chadwick was not as effective last year as could be wished, but I don’t see anyone to beat him. Campbell, of Renton, is an inside-right forward, and, though rather little in very effective, so that at present Chadwick has no serious rival. There are other new men, local talent being recognised in the persons of Balmer, and Molyneux, and Barker, of the Third Grenadier Guards. These, with Arridge, Storrier, and McDonald, are to form what I consider will be the weak spot in the team. There is not a class back in the lot. Barker played a very taking sort game on Wednesday, but when pushed got into difficulties. The others are young and inexperienced, so that I am forced to the conclusion that the directors will reply on Storrier and Arridge. The latter is not a certain starter, as an old sore has troubled him in practice, and the same can be said of McDonald. Storrier gave satisfaction in a few matches at the end of the last season, but, after all, they are, on paper, the weakest backs that have done duty for Everton for a long time. Further behind the outlook is not encouraging, when we bear in mind Briggs was engaged as understudy to Hillman. Either he or Menham, another Guardsman, must take the position of goalkeeper, and if the practice games are anything to go by, there is no question as to which is the better man. In the first match Briggs gave a capital display, showing confidence, and clearing in a decisive and resolute manner. Menham, on the contrary, seemed nervous, and his manner of getting rid of the ball left much to be desired. For the first match to-morrow (Tuesday) against Glasgow Rangers, the bulk of the new men will be tried, but for the League game with Sheffield Wednesday, on the 5th, I think the team will be something like this; briggs; Storrier and Arridge (if fit), backs; Boyle, Holt, and Stewart, half-backs; Taylor, Bell, Cameron, or Hartley, Chadwick and Milward, forwards. I am afraid the directors have not made any advance on last season’s team, but there are several very promising youngsters who only want the opportunity to distinguish themselves. The ground is in capital order, and the only alteration which the spectators are interested in is a structure erected over the Press box for subscribers of two guineas, and, in addition to having a capital view of the game, the occupants will have the privilege of rubbing against a real live director of the club.