EVERTON v STOKE SWIFTS
Liverpool Daily Post - Tuesday 01 January 1901
These erstwhile keen antagonists met yesterday at Goodison park to engage in a friendly encounter. Both teams were representative, and the ground being in almost perfect condition a keen match was anticipated. There was, however, only a sparse attendance when Fieldhouse started on behalf of Stoke. The Potters had the better of the opening exchanges, and after Crelley had been beaten, Kitchen saved a well-directed shot from the foot of Fieldhouse. Following a brief incursion into Stoke territory in which Roche and Dawson were prominent, the visitors came away, and Kitchen was seriously troubled. McDonald was then conspicuous with a tricky run, and, putting Dawson in possession, that player looked like a scorer when robbed by Peacock, who transferred play into less dangerous quarters. For some time after this play was located in midfield, the half-backs on each side monopolising the work. Bradley by a judicious movement put his forwards in possession, but Feilding overran the leather and spoiled the move, Elliott being enabled to effect a clearance. The Goodison Park brigade now came away from the centre, and after passing all opposition A. McDonald sent in a fine shot, which Cartlege was rather more than holding their own, and after the Potters’ custodian had saved several shots manfully he was at least defeated by McDonald. From the restart Everton attacked strongly, but Cartlege, who was well covered by his backs, routed the invades. A foul against Everton was well placed by Benson, and Kitchen was called upon to respond to an effect by Fieldhouse. Everton were again the aggressors a nice movement by Gray and Dawson evoking the plaudits of the crowd. The leather in the end found its way to A. McDonald, who, however, was hampered by peacock, and could not get in his shot. Diversity was now witnessed by Stoke becoming dangerous and their position was further improved by a foul against Blythe but Fieldhouse’s shot was weak. Kitchen having no difficulty at all in clearing. Desultory play followed, and then Everton got into close proximity to Cartlege. Dawson finishing a fine effort by scoring the second goal. Straightaway from the kick off the Potters, by stages, looked decidedly dangerous, when Eccles kicked out. Not to be denied, Stoke kept up the pressure, but nothing of moment occurred until the interval, when he score stood- Everton 2, Stoke nil.
On resumption of play the Potters were the first to show up, and several shots were sent into Kitchen. The game now slowed down considerably neither side exerting themselves. After this Everton were several times dangerous, one shot from McDonald particularly being very close. From a  throw-in at centre Everton again played up, McDonald neatly tricking Bradley and sending to Roche, who sent in an oblique shot which missed by inches. Stoke broke away on the right, but Fieldhouse was penalised for offside. Everton after this did most of the pressing, but Cartlege was in form, and frustrated the efforts of the home forwards to score. Towards the close Stoke made strenuous efforts to reduce the lead, but failed, being in the end beaten by 2 goals to nil.

TODAYS FIXTURE
The Liverpool Mercury- Tuesday, January 1 1900
Bury v Everton, Bury. Everton;- Muir, goal; Balmer and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner, forwards.
THE COMBINATION
Everton Combination v. New Brighton Tower reserve, Goodison Park.
Everton; Kitchen, goal; Eccles and Crelly, backs; Boyle, Green and R. Taylor, half-backs; Roche, McDonald, Worthington, Gray, and Corrin, forwards. 

EVERTON v BURY
Liverpool Evening Express - Tuesday 01 January 1901
LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION
The Everton team spent their New year’s day at Bury, where they were engaged in a League match, upon which important issues depended. On Boxing-day the Cup-holders visited Goodison-Park, and after having apparently the game in their own hands had to be content with a draw of three goals each. Not satisfied with their present position in the list, the Evertonians were determined on a great effort to secure the full points at Bury. The team that gained so easy a victory over Preston North End was relied upon, and the players and directors travelled by the 11.15 train from Exchange Station, Liverpool. The weather was dull and miserable, but this did not prevent the people rolling up to Gigg-lane in the confident expectation of witnessing an exciting match. The teams were;- Everton;- Muir, goal; Balmer and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle and Turner, forwards. Bury;- Thompson, goal; Darroch and McEwan, backs; Pray, Leeming, and Ross, half-backs; Richards, Wood, McLuckie, Sagar, and Plant, forwards. It will be noticed that on the Bury side McLuckie resumed his position as centre forward. Considering the heavy rain the ground was in good condition. Five minutes before the advertised time Mr. Kirkman, the referee, brought the players together. Settle won the toss, and McLuckie kicked off before some twelve thousand spectators. The opening stages were not too interesting play apart from a casual visit to either and being for the most part confined to midfield. The Everton right made progress and Thompson had to run out and kick away, but there was no serious onslaught made on the Bury goal. Settle and Turner put in some smart passing without result, and when the home forwards tried to break away the visiting halves were equal to all emergencies. Abbott was penalised for pushing and from the free kick Sagar headed in dangerously, Muir just managing to get his foot to the ball, which he sent behind. From the corner there was an exciting time in the Everton goal mouth, but eventually Sagar with a fast shot sent wide. Another corner fell to the home team, but it was not turned to account. Play, however, was maintained in Everton quarters and only fine defence prevented the sprightly Bury forwards from opening the score. From a corner Richards screwed the ball into the net without its touching any of the players and the pressure on the visitors’ citadel was terrific for a time. Once when Sagar seemed likely to run the ball through Muir saved in marvellous style. The game was of the liveliest description, good football being shown by both. Clever work by Booth afforded an opening to the visiting forwards, but it was not utilised, and the cupholders were again attacking, though not quite with the same dash as before. Turner called upon Thompson with a somewhat weak shot but Everton’s aggression was only temporary, Plant was conspicuous with a grand effort, which brought out all Muir’s resource, and both Balmer and Abbott saved dangerous situations. Another brief visit was paid to the vicinity of Thompson, and then the old pressure was resorted to by the Buryites. Shots were rained in from all quarters, and it was marvellous how the goal escaped downfall. Credit, however, was due to the Everton defenders for the persistency with which they stuck to their guns. Settle, who had been undergoing the fond attentions of his former colleagues, was badly fouled, and this led to a change in the scene of operations. The attack had no string behind it, and a moment later, after some fine work between Richards and McLuckie, the downfall of the Everton goal was wonderfully averted by the extraordinary agility of Muir. There was no doubt about the superiority of the Bury men, and in view of their vigorous attacks, the visiting defenders were lucky in keeping clear sheet. Only rarely did the Evertonians cross the half way line, and on those occasions they were disappointing. Pray brought out more of Muir’s excellencies, and when Turner, Settle, and Proudfoot indulged in some effective passing, Taylor was robbed before he could get in a shot at goal. In the course of another attack by Bury there were cries for a penalty against Watson, but the referee was of a different opinion. The best attack so far was now shown by Everton. Turner banged the ball across in fine style, and Sharp, outwitting McEwan, cantered nicely, Taylor meeting the ball and testing Thompson with a fast low shot. Soon the ball found its way to the other end, where had an easy shot to negotiate and the visiting forwards bore down upon the Bury goal in threatening fashion, but the defence could not be penetrated. Everton’s attack improved considerably, and a grand shot by Taylor was kept out splendidly by Thompson. The game was full of interest and afforded the spectators plenty of excitement the midfield exchanges being exceedingly clever. A foul against Wolstenholme looked dangerous but Wilson relieved and another free kick against sharp led to Plant shooting through into the net. This roused the Everton men, and in a twinkling Settle had the ball past Thompson. The point, however, was disallowed for some infringement of the rules, which was not very apparent from the stand. The game continued lively until the whistle blew for the interval. Half-time Result Bury 1 Everton 0.
Final Result Bury 3 Everton 0

EVERTON COMBINATION v.  NEW BRIGHTON TOWER RESERVE
Liverpool Evening Express - Tuesday 01 January 1901
The first of the fixtures between the reserve teams of Everton and New Brighton Tower was decided at Goodison Park this afternoon in fine weather. The teams were;- Everton; Kitchen, goal; Eccles and Crelly, backs; Boyle, Green, and R. Taylor, half-backs; Roche, McDonald, Worthington, Gray, and Chadwick, forwards. New Brighton Tower; Bradshaw, goal; Turner, and Ellis, backs; Holmes, Ellison, and Gibbs, half-backs; Colvin, Barnes, Green, Graham, and Ford, forwards. There were about 4,000 spectators present at the start. The Tower lost the toss, and Green started. Everton at once got down and nearly scored, Holmes clearing almost on the goal-line. The Blues continued the pressure, but the forwards dallied too long with the ball, and Turner cleared. Roche forced a corner, from which Bradshaw had to handle. Chadwick had a warm shot charged down, and getting to the other end the Tower were dangerous, but Green kicked away. The home right took up the running, and McDonald tried a long shot, which went over the bar off one of the defenders. The corner was worked away. For a long time play continued in the visitors’ half, the Everton half-backs being much too good for the visiting forwards. Everton gained another corner, which was worked away, and Ford was making progress when he was bowled over by Eccles just outside the twelve yards’ line. The free kick led to warm work in the home goal, and, after the ball had been twice repelled, the outside right shot through at the corner. Gray was fouled on the Everton forwards taking up the attack, but the home side made nothing of the free kick. Kitchen saved a fine long shot from Holmes, and at the other end Bradshaw disposed of a capital high shot from McDonald. The Tower custodian also cleared from Chadwick. A couple  of free kicks against Everton put the Tower on the attack, but Ford was adjudged offside as he shot into Kitchen’s hands. The home forwards again pressed, and after McDonald had sent yards too high Bradshaw saved from Worthington and Taylor. He conceded a corner from the second shot but although Roche placed the ball accurately the Everton forwards could not force the ball into the net. Kitchen twice ran out and kicked away, and from the last clearance Worthington beat the backs and looked all over a scorer. Bradshaw came out to meet him, however, and the centre shot yards over the bar. Bradshaw directly afterwards punched away from Roche, and then saved from McDonald, who had got past the backs. For sometime Everton kept up an almost continuous pressure on the New Brighton goal, but Bradshaw was in grand form, and successfully repelled all the shots. A run by the Tower right wing relieved the pressure, but Everton were quickly again on the attack, and Chadwick put past Bradshaw, but was offside. A moment later, however, Chadwick pulled the ball into the net from a centre. Following the equalising goal Everton pressed, but could not get ahead. Half-time -Everton 1 goal, Towe 1 goal. Final;- Everton reserve 4, new Brighton 1.

BURY 3 EVERTON 0
January 2 1901. The Lievrpool Mercury
The return engagement between the above teams took place at Bury, yesterday, before 15,000 spectators. The sides it will be remembered met a week ago at Goodison Park when the Evertonians, after Bury were leading at half-time 3-1, made a most creditable draw. The team for yesterday's struggle was similar to that which gained such a decisive victory over Preston North End whilst Bury were at full strength. The teams faced prompt to time as follow: - Everton: - Muir, goal, Watson and Balmer, backs, Wolstenholmes, Booth, and Abbott, halfbacks, Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot Settle (captain) and Turner, forwards. Bury: - Thompson, goal, Darroch and McEwan, backs, Pray, Leeming, and Ross, halfbacks, Richards Wood, McLuckie, Sagar, and Plant forwards. Bury kicked off, and after Wolstenholmes had got the ball away, McEwan sent back, and play for a few moments settled in the home half. A respite came through an incursion by Taylor, but shortly following Sagar came along in fine style, and caused Muir some anxiety. The latter saved, but play followed in the Everton half, the goal having some exceedingly narrow escapes. Once the ball was through but from a corner kick it was untouched. Then Muir saved magnificently when surrounded, and with complete unison the Everton forwards moved to the other end, the ball however, going over the line. Bury continued to monopolise the play, and Plant made an extremely fine attempt to lower Everton's colours, Muir having to run out to save. McEwan checked an incursion by Turner and Settle, and Plant gave Muir a warm handful, the Everton custodian being warmly cheered for his agility in saving what seemed to be a certain point. Play was fast and of an exhilarating character. Thompson coming in useful from grand shots from Wolstenholmes, and Sharp, whilst Muir, saved marvellously with McLuckie Sagar, and Wood in close attendances upon him. In fact, at this period, Muir's goalkeeping was the feature of the game. Pressing with persistence, the Bury forwards gave the Everton defence unceasing trouble, and it was only after a couple of futile corner kicks that the ‘'Blues'' again persuaded danger, Taylor shot, however, being easily coped with by Thompson. A return to the other end followed by Abbott putting in fine work, whilst Sharp tested the opposing goalkeeper in grand style from long range. There was no mistaking the earnestness of the teams and the sides were working with a vigour worthy of success. This eventually came to Bury through a rather doubtful decision on the part of the referee, who allowed a free kick, from which Plant scored. Straight away the visiting forwards raced down, and Settle put through, the point, however, being offside. Bury pressed again, but upto halt time, there was no further scoring. Everton thus being in arrears by a goal to nil. On resuming, Richards and Wood dashed away, and Muir saved from both in rapid succession, a rather prolonged siege being eventually raised by Balmer, who sent down to Turner, the latter in company with Sharp keeping the Bury defenders on the quivive for some moments. With Darroch McEwan, and Ross, ever on the alert and incline form, the Evertonians could not equalise, although Turner missed a glorious chance with practically an open goal from a smart screw by Sharp. Bury demonstrated their superiority in no unmarked manner, and Muir was frequently troubled. Full of resource, however, he coped with efforts from Richards and Wood in masterly style, and saved his goal when all other opposition was passed. One was extremely worthy of notice this being when Platt ran down and sent swify across to Sagar who got high up from short range, Muir tripping the ball over the bar in artistic style, only to be beaten, however, a moment later, by Plant this placing the home side two points ahead. Ten minutes off time a determined onslaught by Bury was again awarded, tackling near the Everton goal, ending in Wood putting through. Later on the visitors worked hard to reduce the lead, but the opposing defence was thoroughly sound, and no further scoring was done the game ended Bury 3 goals Everton nil.

EVERTON RESERVES 4 NEW BRIGHTON TOWERS 1
January 2 1901.
AT Goodison Park, in front of 4,000 spectators. Everton winning by 4 goals to one, Chadwick, and Gray scoring one goal each, and McDonald scoring the other two goals. (Game 19) Everton: - Kitchen, goal, Eccles and Crelly, backs, Harrison, Blythe, and Elliott (s), halfbacks, Roche, Dawson McDonald (a), Gray, and Chadwick (t) forwards.

EVERTON v  BURY
Liverpool Daily Post - Wednesday 02 January 1901
The Everton team opened the century by paying a visit to Bury, in order to meet that club in their return League match. The Bury club was at Goodison Park so recently as Boxing Day, when a fine match ended in a draw, the Evertonians drawing level in the last few minutes. Yesterday the game was consequently expected to be a rattling good one, and as there was holiday in the Lancashire town, a big gate was certain. The weather, though cold and damp, was not disagreeable, but the Gigg-lane ground was very heavy, owing to the recent rains having told their inevitable tale on the ground. Everton relied upon the same team as beat Preston North End on Saturday; and Bury were also fully represented. There were 12,000 spectators present when Bury started, with their faces to the sun. Sharp and Taylor at once moved away on the right, but McEwen headed the ball away and the home left made ground, but only to be effectively checked by Balmer. Midfield work followed, and then Abbott served up nicely to Turner, but the movement was spoiled through the leather going over the line. The home forwards then moved along in fine style, and Sagar headed in strongly to Muir, who kicked clear at the expense of a corner. This eld to a hot assault on the Everton goal, Sagar again shooting well without success. A break away by the visitors came to nothing, McEwan checking cleverly and then a run on the part of Turner and Settle was spoiled by Darrach, who gave to Pray, the latter, from long range, shooting wide of the mar. at this time the home eleven were having much the best of the argument, literally penning the Evertonians in. a second corner was forced, and this was taken by Richards, who managed to screw the ball into the net, but fortunately for Everton, it did not touch a second player. Following upon this, Muir was subjected to a terrific series of shots, Sagar and McLuckie both trying hard to score, but on each occasion the visitors’ custodian succeeded in clearing, Balmer at length gave relief, and the Everton left wing progressed at top speed towards Thompson, who easily dealt with Turner’s shot. The home forwards were not long in taking up the attack again, and both Balmer and Watson were hard pressed, a long shot from Plant being rather luckily stopped by Muir. A dash down the wing by Sharp and Turner came to nothing, and once more the home font rank paid persistent attention to Muir, who behaved splendidly, clearing twice from McLuckie and Wood. The home eleven were monopolising all the play, but at length the Everton forwards succeeded in moving away, and Taylor shot in, but the effort was a very feeble one. A free kick to the visitors placed them again in the position of aggressors, and Taylor put in a dangerous dropping shot, which Thompson caught and threw away. Richards then broke ground, and gave to McLuckie, who seemed certain to score, when he was knocked off the ball by Muir. Another stiff bombardment ensued. Plant sending in a capital shot, and Sagar missing a fine chance. A run down by Richards looked promising but Proudfoot failed to take the pass, and Darroch nipping in, cleared easily. After this Pray sent in a long dropping shot, which McLuckie caught with his head, but Muir was fortunately on the alert and saved what looked like being a certain goal. Sharp and Taylor were easily beaten back by Darroch, and again the game ruled all in favour of Bury, who missed innumerable absence of scoring owing to indecision when in front of goal. The next item of interest was a smart forward movement on the part of Taylor and Sharp, the former sending in a swift low shot which brought Thompson to his knees. More midfield work followed, the home forwards gradually making ground, but McLuckie spoiled the movement by a very feeble shot. Proudfoot, Settle and Turner were concerned in a smart bit of play, but at usual, they failed at the crucial moment and it was not long before the Bury men were swarming in front of Muir, who saved from Richards, after the latter had beaten Watson. The Everton forwards then advanced in businesslike fashion, when Taylor sent in an oblique shot, but Thompson collared it and cleared. Booth, by a clever run gave to Turner, but the latter overran the ball, and the home front rank were soon in front of Muir again. Wolstenholme fouled Sagar, and from the ensuing free kick, a terrific bombardment took place. A foul was then awarded against Sharp, and from this, Plant succeeded in netting the ball. This came seven minutes before the interval, and Everton at once made desperate efforts to draw level, the forwards raced away in fine style, and after a struggle, Settle sent the leather into the net, but the point was disallowed, presumably for offside. Following upon this the visitors pressed strongly, but all to no purpose, half-time arriving with the score; Bury 1, Everton nil.
In the second half Everton showed greatly improved form attacking with great persistence, but their shooting was far from good, Turner upon one occasion, when in a good position, shooting ridiculously wide of the mark. After this Bury reasserted themselves and Richards came within an ace of scoring, Muir running out and missing the ball, which, luckily for Everton, struck the side of the net. Give-and-take play followed, in which the home eleven always appeared to the best advantage. Though the Everton custodian performed wonders between the sticks, he was unable to stand the strain, a sustained onslaught ending in Plant scoring a second. Although two down, the Evertonians continued to play with considerable dash, but their efforts were weakened through lack of proper combination, and many clever movements were nullified on account of this. Within ten minutes of the finish the Bury forwards again came down with determination, Sagar sending in a shot which Muir ran out to save. Instead of getting back to his goal immediately, Muir attempted to try conclusions with his opponents outside, with the result that Wood ran in and scored with perfect ease. The closing stages of the game were all in favour of Bury, who ran out winners by 3 goals to nothing. Everton.- Muir, goal; Balmer and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner, forwards. Bury.- Thompson, goal; Darroch and McEwan, backs; Pray, Leeming, and Ross, half-backs; Richards, Wood, McLuckie, Sagar, and Plant, forwards. Referee; Mr. Kirkham, of Stoke.

LANCASHIRE COMBINATION
Liverpool Daily Post - Wednesday 02 January 1901
EVERTRON RESERVE v.  NEW BRIGHTON RESERVE
More than ordinary interest was evinced in the initial Combination encounter between these local rivals at Goodison Park yesterday. The weather was fine and bracing, and there were fully 5,000 onlookers when the following teams lined up. Everton; Kitchen, goal; Eccles and Crelley, backs; Boyle, Green, and R. Taylor, half-backs; Roche, McDonald, Worthington, Gray, and Chadwick, forwards. New Brighton Tower; Bradshaw, goal; Turner and Ellis, backs; Holmes, Ellison, and Gibbs, half-backs; Colvin, Barnes, Green, Graham, and Ford, forwards. Everton won the spin, and Green set the leather in motion for the Tower. The opening stages favoured Everton, who attacked strongly. Ellison checked Gray, but the Goodison Park brigade returned on the right, Roche and Boyle being conspicuous with exceedingly lucky work. Roche transferred the sphere to the left, and Gray, after completely beating Turner, sent in a magnificent shot, which struck the bar and rebounded into play, Ellison being afterwards enabled to clear. A brief incursion by the Tower was the next item of interest, and Green was given a good opportunity, but failed at the critical moment. After this Everton attacked persistently, and forced a couple of corners in quick succession, which, however, proved abortive. Turner at length relieved the pressure, and the Tower forwards combing prettily, moved up towards Kitchen, who saved from Green. For some time play was located in the Everton half, and after several of the Brightonians had futile shies, Kitchen was beaten by a shot which gave him no chance whatever. From the centre the Tower got away, but Eccles cleared, and Everton looked dangerous, Gray and Chadwick indulging in a sequence of passing. The leather was transferred back to Taylor, who shot at long range, Bradshaw effecting a really clever clearance. A moment later Ellison was penalised and the leather once more was got well away, but Bradshaw was not seriously troubled. At the other end Kitchen was applauded for saving a difficult shot from Green, and then Eccles neatly tricking Ford, passed out to Roche, the latter made ground on the right and Everton looked like scoring, but Bradshaw cleared at the expense of a fruitless corner. Green (New Brighton) received the leather at midfield, beating both his namesake and Crelley, and when a score seemed imminent he shot lamentably wide. Midfield play was the order for some time after which McDonald with a good opening, shot high over the bar. Everton were now playing the better game, and several times got within close proximity to Bradshaw, who was in good form and repeatedly repelled the efforts of the home contingent. Everton kept up a sustained attack, and on one occasion Chadwick netted the leather, only to be ruled offside. This proved of little consequence, however, as a moment later the same player equalised. The game now became very fast and exciting, with Everton invariably attacking up to the interval, when the score stood one goal each. Worthington restarted and Everton came away with great dash. McDonald beating Bradshaw for the second time. Everton continued to have the best of matters, and several times Bradshaw’s charge underwent narrow escapes. Turner at length removed play to the other end, where Green was in evidence, but Eccles and Crelley responded to all calls made upon them. Everton again made things lively for the Tower, Gray further putting his side ahead. The homesters now monopolised the attack, and only the alertness of Bradshaw and his co=defenders prevented score. The Tower once made ground, but nothing eventuated, and Everton were again the aggressors. Roche sent in a shot which hit the crossbar, and McDonald, meeting the rebound scored a fourth goal. The game after this slowed down considerably, though the interest was fully maintained to the end. Final; Everton Combination 4 goals, New Brighton Tower 1 goal.

LIVERPOOL CHAT
Athletic Chat - Wednesday 02 January 1901
By The “Mersey-Mentor.”
By the piper that played before Mosses, but we had fine times at Goodison Park on Saturday! Who said Everton couldn’t score goals? What’s the matter with 4 to 1? Aren’t Preston North End the Wooden-spoonists? What of that? They all count. And by all that’s powerful, we wanted to do a little bit of calculation badly! One point of three Christmas holiday matches didn’t exercise us much- and that point a lucky one. But 4 goals, 2 points, and a team which was all over the other side- why, it was a feast for the gods! Everton had their original quintette at work against Preston- Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner- and they played very fair football. Proudfoot ought, in my opinion, never to have been dropped because of one poor display, simply because the club hasn’t another centre anywhere near as good. Then the continual shifting and shuffling of the front line has been most aggravating-the committee have tried every combination possible rather than own they were in the wrong. Mind you, not even Saturday’s forward game was perfectly satisfactory-there was far more shooting done by the half-backs than by the forwards- dangerous, dead-on-the-spot shooting, I mean. It is a good thing for Everton that it can boast of three half-backs of such undoubted ability as Booth, Abbott, and Wolstenholme. I look upon this line as extremely strong for each man not only knows all the tricks of his trade, but he adds to them the skill and knowledge necessary for playing the backing up game which a few years ago made the Aston Villa halves so formidable. Some of the shots put in from half-back on Saturday nearly knocked Mcbridge through the posts-and McBride is no chicken.
I hope the season ticket holders, who have been threatening to return their cards in disgust, will await the result of the Bury and Wolverhampton matches at least. Give the present team time to prove its mettle, and I don’t think they will regret it. Anyhow, there is no fear of the wooden spoon yet, and plenty of time to make a creditable finish.

TODAYS MATCH
North Star (Darlington) - Wednesday 02 January 1901
MIDDLESBROUGH v  EVERTON
These teams meet at Middlesbrough to-day in a friendly match. The team to represent the Tees-siders will be;- Goal, Hodgson; backs, J. Jones and McFarlane; half-backs, Smith, Jones, and Doig; forwards, Longstaff, Wilkie, Thompson, McCowie, and Eckford.

MIDDLESBROUGH 1 EVERTON 6
January 3 1901. The Liverpool mercury
At Middlesbrough, on a heavy ground, before 5,000 spectators. Middlesbrough played severe Reserves in view of their Cup tie on Saturday. Wilkes early scored for Middlesbrough, but before the interval Taylor equalised. In the second half Proudfoot, Turner, Settle, and Boyle (twice) scored for the visitors, who thus won very easily,, what was all an interesting game by six goals to one. Everton: - Muir, goal, Balmer, and Watson backs, Wolstehomes, Boyle, and Abbott, halfbacks, Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot Settle (captain), and Turner, forwards.

MIDDLESBROUGH v  EVERTON
North Star (Darlington) - Thursday 03 January 1901
These clubs met in a friendly fixture on the Linthorpe-road Ground, Middlesbrough, yesterday, in fine weather, and before about 4,000 spectators. The turf had been rolled, but was still soft and greasy. The players selected to represented Middlesbrough were chiefly drawn from the second eleven, whilst Everton also played several of their reserves. Middlesbrough won the toss, and elected to attack the Linthorpe-road goal. The opening exchanges were in favour of the Toffees, who throughout the game did not exert themselves to any great extent. The spectators, however, were treated to same fine combination. Middlesbrough were the first to score, Muir making no effort to stop a simple shot from Wilkie. McCowie, directly after the restart, made a good run, and passed both of the visiting backs. He was just in the act of shooting, when Muir rushed out and kicked the ball away from his tee. McCowie was again prominent and Muir saved magnificently a close shot by the same player. Play was transferred to the other end, where Booth struck the cross-bar with a lightning shot. Hodgson collared the leather, and a scrimmage ensued. The custodian, however, cleared. After this, the visitors went in more for the passing game, and the homesters on several occasions were nonplussed. Shortly before the interval, Sharp gave Taylor a neat pass, and that player equalised the scores. The interval arrived directly afterwards. The scored moiety was greatly in favour of the visitors. Settle and Proudfoot netted the leather, but their efforts were disallowed, swing to an infringement of the offside rule. Proudfoot, however, was successful in his next effort, and put the visitors ahead. Turner (3) and Taylor notched further goals for the visitors, who won with the score;- Everton 6 goals, Middlesbrough 1 goal.

MIDDLESBROUGH v EVERTON
Morning Leader - Thursday 03 January 1901
This friendly was played at Middlesbrough on a heavy ground, before 5,000 spectators. Middlesbrough played seven reserve in view of  their cup-tie on Saturday. Wilkie early scored for Middlesbrough, but before the interval Taylor equalised. In the second half Proudfoot, Turner, Settle, and Boyle (2) scored for the visitors, who thus won very easily. It was an interesting game notwithstanding the heavy margin. Everton 6; Middlesbrough 1.

MIDDLESBROUGH v  EVERTON
Manchester Courier - Thursday 03 January 1901
At Middlesbrough, before 6,000 spectators. Everton pressed during the first ten minutes, and then Middlesbrough broke away, and Wilkie scored cleverly. Even play followed until close upon the interval, when Booth sent in a fast shot which struck the crossbar, and on rebounding into play Proudfoot shot in, but Hodgson fell upon the ball, and though two or three Everton men were upon him he retained possession until he rose to his feet, and he then threw away, amid the applause of the spectators. Very shortly after Everton again pressed, and Taylor, from the right wing, scored and equalised. Half-time; Middlesbrough one goal, Everton one.
In the second half Everton had much the best of matters and scored five more goals, the home defence being quite unable to cope with the Everton attack. Middlesbrough failed to score again.
Everton 6 Middlesbrough 1.

LANCASHIRE COMBINATION v  BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT LEAGUE
Liverpool Daily Post - Thursday 03 January 1901
The annual encounter of the representatives of the Lancashire Combination and the Birmingham and District League invariably evokes considerable interest, owing to the keen rivalry that exists between these organisations. The Birmingham men have had a distinct advantage in the previous contests, but it was confidently anticipated that the Lancastrians would wrest the laurels from their opponents at Goodison Park yesterday afternoon. There were several alterations in the advertised teams, the most notable being the inclusion of Clover (Liverpool) in the Combination team vice Slater. There were fully 3,000 spectators present when hostilities commenced, Brown kicking off for the League. It was at once obvious that the game would be exceedingly fast. The Birmingham contingent were the first to hold any appreciable advantage, one shot from the foot of Brown being perilously near. The Lancastrians made a brief incursion to the opposing territory, but Whiteley was not troubled and the visitors got away strongly on the left, Bache sending in a grand shot to Kitchen who evoked the plaudits of the crowd for an equally clever save. Midfield play was the order for some time, and then Soulsby and Hunter became busy, but the Liverpudlians were easily beaten by Wassel, who returned. At the other end Brown got the better of the exchanges with Glover, but the latter recovered himself in time to prevent disaster. The next item of interest was a dash by Soulsby, who, being so badly hampered by Wassel, was compelled to send the ball outside. From the subsequent throw-in the Birmingham men moved well down, the ball passing from end to end with praiseworthy precious, and when a score seemed imminent Kitchen dashed out and cleared. The game at this stage was of an even though highly interesting character, both sides pressing in turn. From a foul against the homesters Brown was given an opportunity, but he was tricked by Green at the critical moment. By a lofty kick Glover transferred play to the Birmingham quarters, where play was located for some time, and on one occasion Archer, with an almost open goal, shot wildly over the bar. By stages the Birmingham lot moved up, Brown and Bache combining well, and after Kitchener had cleared Brown scored. At the other end Whitley’s charge underwent several narrow escapes, that custodian having to save at the expense of a corner. This proved abortive, but a moment later Hunter forced a second, which also afforded no advantage. Keeping up a sustained attack, the Lancastrians made desperate efforts to equalise, but Whitley and his co-defenders frustrated their aims, and at length the leather was conveyed to the centre, where play ruled up to the interval. Half-time; Birmingham 1, goal; Lancashire Combination nil. In the second half the opening exchanges favoured the Lancastrians, but Hunter misjudging the pass from Dawson, Smith was enabled to clear. This proved of little consequence, however, as in the next minute Miller equalised, giving the Aston Villa custodian no chance whatever. From the centre the visitors came away, and Kitchen had to clear a warm handful from Woolridge, while at the other end Whiteley saved from Dawson. Play settled down in midfield for some time, the half-backs on either sides monopolising the work. Then Kitchen repeatedly repelled shots from Brown and Tobbs, once at the expense of a corner. The Lancastrians now maintained the advantage, and after Whiteley had cleared his charge, Dawson almost scored a second goal. The Birmingham men played up better after this, but met with stubborn defence. Final; Birmingham 1, Lancashire Combination 1 goal.

TOMORROW’S FOOTBALL
Liverpool Evening Express - Friday 04 January 1901
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton-For this League match to be played at Wolverhampton, the following team has been selected to represent Everton;- Muir, goal; Balmer and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle and Turner, forwards. Excursion train leaves Central Station (Lew Level) ay 11.30; kick-off 2.30
Everton Combination v Newton Heath Reserve-This Lancashire Combination match will be played at Goodison Park. The Everton team will be;- Kitchen, goal; Halliday and Crelly, backs; Boyle, Green and R. Taylor, half-backs; Roche, Girdwood, Worthington, Gray, and Chadwick, forwards. Kick-off 2.30.

WOLVERHAMPTON v. EVERTON.
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 05 January 1901
Played at Wolverhampton, in dry, sharp weather, before 5,000 spectators. Both sides were well ropresented. The Wanderers were the first to press, and then Baddeley bad several shots to deal with. The Wanderers were penalised three times in succession, and they proved most erratic in shooting. Everton •spoiled several chances by getting offside, but attacked strongly to the interval. Half-time—Wanderers 0, Everton 0. Shortly after the restart Everton got down on the left, and the ball was passed to Taylor, who scored. An appeal by the Wanderers for a penalty was disallowed. Wooldridge headed through and equalised. Play the finish was exciting, both sides-striving hard to score a victory. Result—WOLVES 1, EVERTON 1.

FAMOUS CLUBS AND GROUNDS
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 05 January 1901
STOKE
By Perseus
Through a long course of well-nigh forty years the Stoke Club has been playing a part in the development of football. A long period this when one considers the comparative modernity of the game itself. Someone disputes the reference to football as a modern institution! Well, it may be as Mr. Catton tells us in his excellent book on the pastime, that some sort of football was forbidden by law five hundred years ago, because it interfered with the cultivation of archery; but really our present game belongs largely to the second half of the century just closed. Why, it was only in 1857 that the first provincial club was founded, and that in Sheffield, while Lancashire, destined to be so closely associated with the growth of the game, only made its acquaintance therewith a long time afterwards.
TWINS; STOKE AND THE F.A.
Stoke, however, came in the path of the football storm long before it spread to the Palatinate; and by a coincidence which may stamp the early birth of the Pottery organisation even on the least retentive memory, it came into being in the same year as the Football Association was founded. The Association was then a body of only limited influence. The year was 1896, and of all our big professional clubs Stoke along looks so far into the past. Such antiquity commands respect, and perhaps all who are deeply and intelligently concerned in the advance of football have good wishes for Stoke’s success. Auld acquaintance even here is one of the strongest claims on our goodwill, and Stoke have been so long on the stage that to lose them would be the snapping of an old, old link. Yet with all this respect for the club its name never kindles the flames of enthusiasm. Reflect on the history of North End, Rovers, Sunderland, and you are full of the great deeds of these masters of the past; while Stoke you feel little of this, for, strange though it be, the Potters have never climbed the loftiest heights of fame, at all events, since the era of professionalism dawned. The English Cup has never come within their grasp. In the League they have never occupied either of the first three places, and once they were excluded from its ranks, to reappear, however, in the following season.
POTTERS OF THE PAST
Original Potters were engineering students. In this way several old Charterhouse boys- Old Carthusians sounds more familiar -were in the locomotive works of the North Staffordshire Railway at Stoke, and the love of football having been implanted in their school-days they set to work to provide present pleasure. Securing the co-operation of others they founded a club which remains to this day as Stoke. As the club owed its birth to public school football, so it received a fillip ten or eleven years later from a Saltney College youth, T. Slaney, who combined the offices of honorary secretary and captain with such enthusiasm as to inspire the organisation with new lift. He had hearty helpers on and off the field, but to detail names of men of 20 years and more ago could scarcely prove interesting. One player, however, stands out stamped as a forward of exceptional parts- E. Johnson, who could win a match off his own foot, even as we have seen a present Stoke player do when in his most buoyant humour-I mean Maxwell. Among Johnson’s contemporaries in football were the Hon. Alfred Lyttleton and the Hon. E. Lyttleton, of the Old Etonians, while amongst those playing international in 1880 or 1884 the years in he was capped, were Brindle and Marshall (Darwen), N. C. Bailey, who holds the wonderful record of 10 successive appearances against Scotland, W. Mosforth, the Sheffield crack, Jack Hunter, E.C. Bambridge, and others, who all belong to a past generation of players.
MODERN MASTERS
Coming a step nearer the time of those still following football closely, we are brought face to face with the most luminous factor in Stoke’s career. If they have never filled the highest positions, and have never had a team comparable to some brilliant constellations we have seen, they would ever be remembered if only for the famous triumvirate of Rowley (goal), Clare and Underwood (backs). The first-named of the trio was a talented keeper, and in Clare and Underwood, with their burly figures, one seems to see the origin of that robust style of defence which, seen in later days in Robertson and Eccles, has been reckoned a leading characteristic of Pottery back play, though I am not sure that the present pair Capewell and Durber, quite liveup to the traditions. Clare and Underwood were both heavy weights, yet speedy withal, and their association must rank almost with that of Trainer, Howarth (or Holmes) and Ross, or with the dashing opposition W.R. Moon, and the two Walters. Strange, therefore, that only one of the three secured his Scotch cap, this being Clare in 1894; but honours in defence were supremely difficult to secure in the late eighties and early nineties, when among our backs were the Walters, Holmes, Howarth, A. T. B. Dunn, L.V. Lodge, and amongst the custodians such stars as W.R. Moon, L.H. Gay, Sutcliffe, &c. Thus it was that men like Rowley and Underwood had to be satisfied with minor international honours, both playing twice against Ireland. Clare, I may say, has been doing useful work even this season for Burslem Port Vale, yet his powers have, of course, wanted appreciably.
LEAGUE LIGHTS
Other players who have shone brightly for Stoke since the League came include that distinguished Dundee product, W. Dickson, W. Sayer, and others; while, to pass hastily to men who almost all presentday onlookers know, one things of Hysloy, the tall Guardsman who was once the best shot in Britain; Robertson, a fine and sometimes too forceful, back, now with Liverpool; Eccles a very old servant, who showed that as good talent was to be found at home as in Scotland; J. Turner, an effective half-back; J. Schofield, another local, who used to skip along the outside left under the grand stand in capital style, finishing with first rate centres; T. Wilkes, an accomplished goalkeeper, who helped Villa to win the Cup long before he attained his majority; Fred Johnson, a fast outside right; Willie Maxwell, Leonard Benbow, and Alf Wood. Hurriedly compiled from memory the list does not profess to be complete only merely to mention a few of the men that have been seen in claret and blue since the start of the League.
THE PRESENT ELEVEN
“We have never had so good a team,” said a Stoke critic as we sat in the press box on the Victoria Grounds watching the way Maxwell and his confreres rubbed it into the Prestonians on Boxing Day. Possibly the inspiration of the moment had led to exaggeration for some of us may not endorse so sweeping an opinion. At the same time it is a good eleven, vastly better than its low position would seem to indicate. There is one department I am not so sure about; at least, Capewell and Durbar do not impress me so favourably as the rest of the team. Wilkes we all know as a keeper par excellence, and if there is a more determined line of halves in the League than that of Parsons, Wood, and Bradley, I have not seen it. Forward, Benbow leads with pluck and judgment, Watkins and Jones are a clever left wing, while the right at its best-on Boxing Day, for instance- is a stormer. Maxwell may be a man of moods, but grandly built weighing well on towards 13st., and measuring 5ft 11in., he can scarcely be stopped when once going, combing with his physical powers rare dribbling ability and remarkable shooting force. His fastest drives knock a custodian through if he happens to get in their course, and though he be off form for a month he can in a single afternoon display such brilliance as obliterates all the past and establishes him afresh as first favourite. He was centre-forward for Scotland three years ago. The ground at Stoke is large, and its accommodation for large crowds- larger than you see there in an ordinary way- has several times attracted the favourable notice of the F.A.; which is expressed in allotting semi-final ties thereto.

EVERTON v.  WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 05 January 1901
League match at Wolverhampton; excursion train leaves Central Station (low level) at 11.30. kick-off 2.30. the following have been selected to represented Everton;- Muir, goal; Balmer and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner, forwards.
EVERTON COMBINATION v  NEWTON HEATH RESERVE
Combination match at Goodison Park; kick-off 2.30; Everton;- Kitchen, goal; Halliday, and Crelley, backs; Boyle, Green, and R. Taylor, half-backs; Roche, Girdwood, Worthington, Gray and Chadwick, forwards.

EVERTON FOOTBALL TEAM
Liverpool Evening Express - Saturday 05 January 1901
TO THE EDITIR OF THE EVENING EXPRESS
Sir- I notice a letter from “One of the Old Boys” who says that Watson is no longer worthy of a position in the league team, and also that Muir should be dropped and Kitchen substituted in his place. I admit that Watson is not a full back of the first water, but I can honestly say that he is improving every match. Better for a player to do his level best, which is undoubtedly what Watson tries to do, than to be like a great many first class footballers who can play the game but will not unless they feel disposed. The assertion that Muir ought to be substituted for Kitchen is outrageous. Muir cannot be improved upon by Kitchen on by any other goalkeeper.
Jan 4, 1901. EVERTONIAN.
“One of the Old Boys” writes to say that Watson is no longer deserving of his place in the Everton league team, and that Kitchen should be substituted for Muir.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v. EVERTON
Sports Argus - Saturday 05 January 1901
THE LEAGUE- FIRST DIVISIONS
Everton visited Molineux to-day, and the Wanderers wished to repeat their performance of last year of 2-1. Everton, like the Wanderers have not been playing brilliantly, and prior to this match were only two points ahead of the Wolverhampton. The backs were Walker and Matthews, Davies not being fit. Annis appeared on the half-back line, and the front line again included Woolridge on the left wing, and Miller extreme outside. Everton had a good team up, and the following were the elevens;- Wolverhampton Wanderers;- Baddley; Walker, and Mathias, backs; Annis, Pheasant, and Flemming; half-backs; Bowen, Harper, Beats, Woodridge, and Miller, forwards.  Everton; Muir, goal; Balmer and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Boyle, and Abbott, half-backs; Taylor, McDonald, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner, forwards.  The weather was fine but cold, and there were not more than 4,000 spectators present. Everton played McDonald in place of Sharp. Play went in favour of the Wanderers. A neat forward movement promised the falling of the Everton goal, but Harper was just too late, and Muir kicked away. Then Everton got away, and Proudfoot got a nice position when the whistle went for off-side and few minutes later the same player performed the same trick. At the other end Harper, with a bounding ball, shot in splendidly, but the effort went just wide. Baddeley was called upon to negotiate a difficult shot from Settle. Pretty forward work on the part of the Everton front string followed, but the effort were nullified by the sound kicking and tackling of the home backs. Baddeley was again called upon, and the Wanderers, going away in good fashion, beats had a lovely chance, but he shot wide, and there was great disappointment. The first corner fell to the Wanderers, but Miller put the ball outside Bowen passed across in excellent style, but an excellently judged header by beats was caught by Muir, and disposed of easily three times running. The whistle went for offside against Everton. An exciting time occurred in the Wanderers’ goal, and the ball seemed to be going into goal when the whistle went again for offside. Play wastaken to the other end, where a foul close in goal fell to the Wanderers. Pheasant, however, placed outside when he appeared to have an open goal. The next play by the Everton forwards nearly caused the downfall of the home goal. A ball shot by Turner passed right across the line without being touched.
Interval- Wanderers 0, Everton 0
In the early part of the second half there were two gross fouls on the part of Everton. Bowen was making for an open goal when Warson clasped him round the waist. The free kick came to nothing. Everton got away, and Turner, putting the ball across, it beat the backs, and being met by Taylor, the latter had no option but to put it into the net. The game became somewhat rough, and Beats when making for the ball in the twelve-yards line, was tripped. An appeal for a penalty was fruitless, and the ball was thrown up and cleared. Then the Wanderers gave a better exhibition. A pretty passing bout resulted, and from a grand centre by Millar Wooldridge prettily headed the ball into the corner of the net. It was splendidly gained and the excitement grew as two corners in succession fell to the Wolves. Final Wanderers 1 Everton 1.
COMMENTS
It was, as far as scientific football goes, a miserable exhibition at Molineux. True, the Wolves maintained their unbeaten home certificate, but they seemed lucky in being able to do so. Everton played a good forward game, while the backs gave indication of being a pair of the best in the League. The attendance was meagre and the takings did not total up to more than £120.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v  EVERTON
Wolverhampton Express and Star - Saturday 05 January 1901
Everton earlier in the season gave Wolverhampton Wanderers a 5-1 defeat at Goodison Park. This afternoon the Toffeyites were visitors to Molineux and spectators was rife as to whether the Lancashire club would be able to administer to the Wolves their first League defeat at home. Everton have been doing better during the present tournament than they did the first half of last season, as these figures show;- 1899-1900; Played 19, won 6, lost 10, drawn 3; 1900-01; Played 19, won 8, lost 7, drawn 4. Last season the Wolves were twice successful at the expense of their opponents of this afternoon. Wolverhampton Wanderers;- Baddley; Walker, and Mathias, backs; Annis, Pheasant, and Flemming; half-backs; Bowen, Harper, Beats, Woodridge, and Miller, forwards.  Everton; Muir, goal; Balmer and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Boyle, and Abbott, half-backs; Taylor, McDonald, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner, forwards.  Referee; Mr. Black, Burton.
The weather was cold and foggy, and the attendance was on the small side. The Wanderers won the toss, and were the first to attack, Miller and Woodridge leading the front string. They were repulsed, but when the visitors tried to get away the home backs kept them at a respectable distance. The passing of the visitors was poor at first, and they were easily kept at bay by the home defence. Harper, when close up, shot in. Watson missed his kick, but Muir prevented the ball from going through. Muir was forced to save when awkwardly placed, but he worked his way through the attacks, and set Everton on the trot. Turner went off on his own, but was pulled up for offside. The pace was slow, and there was but little enthusiasm in the early stage. The visitors began to improve , and Taylor centred nicely, but the whistle blew for offside. The Wanderers made another incursion into the Toffeyite territory, and Beats sent the wrong side of the upright. The visitors became dangerous, and Abbott sent in a beauty, which Baddeley neatly caught. From a throw-in Taylor sent across to Turner, who shot yards too wide. The visitors were having the best of matters, causing our halves plenty to do. Pheasant spoilt a very well-planned effort on the part of the Evertonians. Whilst play was taking place near to the home goal Fleming got the leather, and, evading his opponents, gave to Beats, who, however, was too heavily tackled. The pace quickened, and the Wanderers made some fine breakaways, which were well met. The ball was carried from the one end to the other somewhat rapidly, without either side gaining any advantage. Beats missed when he had a good opening. The visitors attacked hotly, and Taylor was pulled up for off-side as he centred. Bowen received a nice pass from Annis but he was altogether too slow, and, therefore, lost it. A corner was given against Everton, but was sent behind. For some time the game hovered close to Everton’s goal without the Wolves finding an opening. Harper and Beats passed prettily, but their colleagues was not so alert, and the Everton halves took advantage of this. Muir saved with Wooldridge close upon him, and a moment later saved a hot one from harper, whilst Watson met a daisy-cutter from the feet of Pheasant. The visitors lost ground on a number of occasions through Turner lying off-side. There was a nasty tussle in front of Baddeley, and Turner was again pulled up for off-side. Abbott touched to Turner, who passed to McDonald, the latter heading without judgement causing Baddeley to beat him. The Lancashire forwards gave the halves and Walker the go-by, and when a goal looked certain Proudfoot was pulled up for infringing the offside rule, and another chance was lost. Annis headed away while Baddley back into goal after making a fine clearance. Towards the close of the first half the visitors did most of the pressing. A foul was given against the Wanderers in midfield, and Proudfoot used his hands and no advantage accrued. Baddeley saved twice within a few seconds, each effort being distinctly good. Half-time; Wolves 0, Everton 0
On the restarting Bowen went away on his own, and was badly fouled by Abbott. Some exciting play followed the free kick, and Balmer relieved when matters became oppressive for Everton. The Wanderers attacked with determination. Matthais was beaten by Taylor, who was attended to by Pheasant and Fleming, and at length Walker kicked away. About seven minutes from the re-start the Everton forwards cleared all before them, and McDonald touched to Taylor when both were but a yard or two from Baddeley and Taylor quietly put the ball through, making the score one to nothing.
IN FAVOUR OF EVERTON
Watson’s conduct brought forth a demand for a penalty and the referee gave a foul close to the Everton goal. There was a lively scrimmage which was followed by a corner, the ball being put behind from the flag kick. Millar gave to Wooldridge, who centred, and Harper unfortunately headed the ball as Balmer, who kicked away. Shortly afterwards the same back met a shot from Beats. A foul enabled the Toffeyites to get into the home half, but not for long, as Woolridge sprinted off, forcing Wolstenholme to kick out of touch. Twenty minutes after the interval, from a corner, Woolridge headed clear into the net sending the ball over the heads of a number of players. It was a clever achievement and put renewed life into the home side. A very neat passing movement was executed by Miller, Wooldridge and Beats, but Watson chimed in the nick of time. Still pressing, Muir kicked away a long-ranger. Miller sped away and swung to Beats, and Balmer was compelled to give a corner to avoid disaster. A most exciting scene followed the flag kick, the ball at one time all but passing between Muir’s feet. Final; Wolves 1 Everton 1.

EVERTON DRAW AT WOLVERHAMPTON.
Athletic News - Monday 07 January 1901
By Wulfrunian
A draw of one goal each hardly represented the play, for Everton were, if anything, slightly the better team.  On both sides their was a lamentable lack of ability to locale the net. Had six goals been scored during the match, it could not have been said that the shooting was good, for even then many mistakes and deficient on either side would have had to be recorded.  The crispy, invigorating weather imparted some of its nature to the play, and no one could complain that the players were at all dilatory. As a matter of fact, there was a trifle too much life infused into the play times, for it was no uncommon sight to see several players lying upon the ground at once—the result of, to put it quietly vigour. The visiting side undoubtedly held the upper hand at the commencement of hostilities, and the smart and clever tactics of the blue-shirted forward rank were a trifle too much for the ‘'Wolves” who, whilst never lacking in keenness, had not the ability of their opponents, as far as combination went. Everton’s fine defence, Balmer and Watson, ably assisted by the three halves, presented a rock-like obstruction to the most dangerous rushes of the Wanderers’ forwards. The two backs were especially smart, and but for the fact that they were so the Wanderers must have netted the ball several times.
IN PRAISE OF ABBOTT
On the occasion of Everton’s visit to Molinenx ground last season it was impossible to speak in complimentary terms of the play of Abbott at half-back, but the old Small Heath forward on Saturday held his wing completely in check, and, moreover, engineered  many an incursion into the home –team’s territory in the style of a past-master. Though he tired somewhat at, the finish of the game, he did remarkably good service to his side, and Harper and Bowen were never at rest. The veteran Boyle also did well, and to see him skipping in sprightly fashion about the sward, anyone that knew him not would never have thought he had played good football before some of the members of the team had thought of it.
THE GOALS.
The speedy forward rank of the visiting team were continually spoiling their own good efforts by getting off-side, but at tremendous speed they dashed right through the Wanderers' defence early in the second half, and, the ball coming out nicely to Taylor, that player had nothing to do but kick hard to score. It was a well-worked for point, and nearly all the Everton forwards had a share in the obtaining of it. This point was the signal for piling on of the pace, and the “Wolves,” striving most strenuously to regain their lost ground, made matters very warm for the Everton defence, and at last they were rewarded with a goal, obtained in a somewhat straggling fashion. Woolridge heading just past Muir. The home team kept pegging away for all they were worth, and when Watson apparently sent Beats sprawling on to the ground by means of what appeared to be trip there was much clamour for a penalty  kick, but after consultation with the linesman the referee threw the ball up in the twelve yards line. From now until the finish it was a fine struggle for supremacy, but neither side could take the lead, and a fast and fairly scientific game resulted as stated above. The teams were: Wolverhampton Wanderers;- Baddley; Walker, and Mathias, backs; Annis, Pheasant, and Flemming; half-backs; Bowen, Harper, Beats, Woodridge, and Miller, forwards.  Everton; Muir, goal; Balmer and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Boyle, and Abbott, half-backs; Taylor, McDonald, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner, forwards.  Referee; Mr. Black, Burton. 

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1 EVERTON 1
January 7 1901. The Liverpool Mercury
The first of the season's League games between these clubs took place at Wolverhampton on Saturday. Owing to the indisposition of Booth and Sharp. Places were found for Boyle and McDonald, the former player making his first appearance in the League team this season. The home side was at full strength, and at 2-30 the teams lined up as follow : - Everton: - Muir, goal, Balmer and Watson, backs, Wolstenholmes, Boyle, and Abbott, halfbacks, Taylor, McDonald, Proudfoot, Settle (captain), and Turner, forwards. Wolverhampton Wanderers: - Baddeley goal, Walker, and Matthias, backs, Annie, Phesant, and Fleming halfbacks, Bowen, Parker, Beats, Woolridge, and Miller, forwards. The early play ran slightly favourable to the Wanderers, and Muir was called upon but for some time afterwards play was contested in the home half, but for several offside infringements, Baddeley must have been defeated. Bowen, the Wanderers outside right, was kept well employed and his centres caused much uneasiness to the visiting defenders. Boyle was clever in clearing, and eventually putting his forwards in possession, the home goal was subjected to severe pressure. Faulty shooting spoiled the Everton attempts at scoring, and breaking away Beats had the goal at his mercy, and failed badly. The bulk of the play continued in favour of Everton, but they could not score, the interval arrived without a tangible point being recorded. Early in the second half, the visiting forwards got going and after Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner had taken part in a movement towards Baddeley, the ball came to Taylor, who put it into the corner of the net. On getting to work again the Wanderers infused dash into their play, and for some time did not appear that the visitors would be able to retain their lead. An appeal against Boyle for a penalty was not unheld, but directly afterwards from a corner against McDonald, Woolridge headed into the net. The game fluctuated up to the finish, but sides having narrow escapes and a draw of one goal each resulted.

EVERTON RESERVES 5 NEWTON HEATH RESERVES 0
January 7 1901. The Liverpool Mercury
At Goodison Park. Everton started, and Dawson soon opened the score, Gray followed with a second soon afterwards. A good defence by the Heathers prevented any addition till the interval, which found Everton two goals ahead. On resuming Dawson again scored, and repeated the performance shortly afterwards. Gray who with Dawson shared all the goals, added a fifth and the result was Everton 5 goals, Newton Heath nil. (Game 20) Everton: - Kitchen, goal, Halliday, and Crelly, backs, Harrison, Green and Taylor (r), halfbacks, Roche, Dawson Worthington, Gray, and Chadwick (t), forwards .

EVERTON REVIEW
January 7 1901. The Liverpool Mercury
The visit of the Everton team to Molinuex Grounds, Wolverhampton have in reach season's not been attended with favourable elemental conditions, for one has forcibly in mind the blizard of a few season ago, and a dense fog that put play out of the question on the occasion of the last journey to the Midlands. On Saturday there were evidence of fog interfering with the game, but fortunately it was not of sufficient denaty though a penmature ending threatened all though especially in the second half. In obtaining one point, the Evertonians improved upon their last visit to the Midlands; in fact their opponents registered all four points last season. At a set off, Everton have secured three points from their opponents as the result of this season's inter club contests. The standard of play reached, but a very moderate level, and when one recalls the performances of the contending team a season or two ago, it is difficult to imagine that there has been such a falling away of merit. The Wanderers of course have no pretensions to great game, but in the ranks of the visitors have been included several stars who are however, demonstrating with marked regularity has they are not such notable exponents nor such serviceable players as the earnest and moderately paid footballer of today. There was but a very ordinary display given by the Everton forwards when it came to a matter of testing the goalkeeper. In the first half the whole quintet worked the ball down nicely, and had they taken advantage of the openings they actually made for themselves, they must have laid a solid foundation to success. Their failure to pop at goal at the right time, combined with otherwise faulty finishing touches stood out in marked contrast to their efforts in the Derby match at Goodison Park. Rarely indeed did they keep the ball low, and when in the air an eager Wanderers was almost certain to gain possession. The home line of attack also showed but little ability in general movements, but what they lacked in skill was more than accounted for by their determination to get the ball at any one and more than once they had the measure of the Everton defenders. In their ugly rushes towards the goal they met with stout opposition from Boyle, who made the first appearance in the League team this season, and there can be no question that the value of the services of the player could not be over estimated. When danger threatened he cleared the goal with excellent judgement, and in accurately anticipating the ball from an opponent's pass his general play showed that he has much good football in him yet, and that the Everton directors are fortunate in having so capable a player to fall back upon. No exception could be taken to the play of Wolstenholmes and Abbott, but at full back Watson was ill at easy, and often beaten. The Wanderers were not slow in taking in the situation, for most of their attacks were directed to the right wing, and but for some fine clearances by Balmer. Watson's part in the performance must have cost his side clearly. Muir had not much to do, but there was a suspicious that the header that defeated him might have been saved. It was a struggling game, and it can safely be stated that the Everton club in all its history never had a better chance of recording full points, and those with a substantial margin.

EVERTON v. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 07 January 1901
Played at Wolverhampton. The visitors lost the toss, and Proudfoot started prompt to time against a slight breeze. After opening exchanges the Wolves made ground on the left, Balmer twice intercepting Woolridge when he was dangerously near the goal Boyle served up to his forwards nicely, but they lost possession, and the Wolves left again ran down, the ball eventually going over the line. From the goal kick the Everton forwards moved off in nice, combined order, but they were not permitted to get within shooting range, and the succeeding stages were in midfield. The homesters advanced gradually, and Bowen sent in a long shot, but it went wide of the mark. Another sustained attack on the part of the home right looked dangerous, but Muir saved from Parker. After this the game slowed down somewhat, both sides attacking in turn, but without success. The Everton right wing put in a brilliant bit of work, but Taylor’s pass was intercepted by Matthias, who gave to his forwards, and the home quintet dashed down in dangerous fashion, Beats and Parker both sending in smart shots, which were as smartly kept out. A couple of free kicks to Everton let the visitors in, but they failed to gain advantage of the opening, McDonald kicking out. Abbott by a mistake let in the Wolves’ right, but Watson stopped them, and the ball travelled across to the home left, where a corner was forced off Balmer, but Beats sent behind. The home team kept pegging away, and a minute later a corner was conceded by Watson, but in this case also the leather was sent behind. The Wolves were now having the best of the argument, and both Watson and Balmer had all their work cut out to prevent disaster. Bowen passed to Beats, and the letter sent in a stringing shot, but Muir, fortunately, dashed out, and cleared. A promising forward move by the visitors was stopped by Walker, and it was not long before the Wolves were again swarming round Muir. Pheasant sending in a long shot, which the Everton custodian dealt with in masterly style. The game at this stage was practically confined to the Everton half, and it was only the erratic shooting by the home quintet that saved the visitors’ goal. A diversion was at length created by Taylor who ran finely, and sent across to Settle, who was practically under the bar when he missed the ball, and allowed Bradley to clear. Another run down by Taylor, who was doing two men’s work, came to no better termination, Proudfoot failing to meet the pass, and so enabled Walker to kick clear. Proudfoot and McDonald then rushed down splendidly, but the former was penalised for hands when close in, and a fine chance of scoring was thus missed. The whole five forwards next moved down prettily, Settle finely sending in an oblique shot, which just passed outside. The visitors were now having much the best of the argument, penning the Wolves in their own goalmouth, but try as they would they could not get the ball into the net. Just before the interval the home forwards got away on the left, but Wolstenholme checked finely, and it was not long before the visitors were once more paying attentions to Baddeley’s charge, which was never, however, very seriously threatened, the shots one and all lacking the necessary “devil.” A couple of minutes before the whistle sounded Wolstenholme sent in a fine shot from long range, but it was kept out, and a few minutes later the Wolves’ custodian had to run out to a shot from McDonald. The homesters made one more effort on the left, but without success, and half-time arrived with no score. There was a largely increased crowd present when operations resumed. The Wolves at once worked down, and Watson was properly fouled for holding Bowen when the latter was about to shoot. The free kick was safely negotiated, but the Wolves soon returned on the left, and the Everton goal was in great jeopardy when Boyle, who was playing an excellent game kicked out. Still the home forwards kept up the attack, and Woolridge seemed certain to score when Balmer hampered him, and allowed Muir to clear. After this the Evertonians had a spell of attack, and this time their efforts were crowned with success. Taylor and McDonald worked the ball down, and the former put the ball low down into the corner of the net. This reverse roused the Wolves, and the Everton goal was subjected to a hot bombardment, a free kick right in the goalmouth being saved at the expense of a fruitless corner. Balmer kept out an ugly rush, and Settle tried to run through, but without success, and the following stages of the game were fairly evenly fought, both sides attacking and repulsing in turn. Just before the finish Miller raced down the left wing, finally passing the ball over to the other wing, where Woolridge managed to head it past Muir into the net, thus equalising. A good game resulted in a draw- 1 goal each. Teams;- Everton;- Muir, goal; Balmer and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Boyle, and Abbott, half-backs; Taylor, McDonald, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner, forwards. Wolverhampton Wanderers;- Baddeley, goal; Walker and Mathais, Miller, Woolridge, Beats, Parker, and Bowen, forwards.
Lancashire Combination
Everton 5 goals, Newton Heath nil.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v EVERTON
Birmingham Daily Post - Monday 07 January 1901
The Everton combination journeyed to Wolverhampton on Saturday to play the return match in the League tournament, and as the first encounter ended in a victory for the Lancashire men by five goals to one there was just the possibility that they would secure two more points. The weather was dry but exceedingly cold, and doubtless this fact had an effect upon the attendance which was not so numerous as could be desired by the directors, who, for the sake of the exchequer, would be pleased to see a large number of followers of the sport at Molineux Grounds every week. There were not more than 5,000 spectators present, the receipts amounting to £115 9s. each side was strongly represented. Sharp was unable to appear for Everton, and his place was taken by McDonald and Matthias played full back for Davies in the Wanderers; team. Winning the toss, the Wanderers were the first to become aggressive, but the visiting defenders were not taxed very seriously, as the local men lacked the necessary ability to make use of their opportunities in front of goal. Beats lost a grand opening, and Muir easily got rid of the ball when efforts were made by Harper and Bowen to steer it past him. Bowen got in a number of fine centres, but they were not utilised. The Everton forwards were much smarter than the local man, and Turner and Taylor out in some fine runs, and but for the reliability of Walker, who was playing in his best form, Baddeley would have had a lot more work to do. In their anxiety to score Proudfoot and McDonald were several times pulled up for getting offside, and a number of finely-combined movements were spoiled. Towards the latter portion of the first half the Everton men taxed the Wolverhampton defence severely, but Baddeley and the backs prevented a score being registered. On restarting in the second moiety the Wanderers attacked strongly, and Woolridge shot in at close quarters, but Muir easily cleared, and from the kick off Turner raced down and lifted the ball over to Taylor, who easily got it past Baddeley. A little later from a corner kick taken by Miller, Wooldridge headed past Muir, and the Wanderers afterwards played with more spirit. They were helped by several corners, but could not break through the visitors defence. Everton then attacked up to the close, each side having then scored a goal. On the whole, the Everton men gave a more interesting display than their opponents. The forwards were cleverer, and the wing men nearly always made ground when they got hold of the ball, but the shooting of the whole line could easily be improved. The half-backs played a sturdy game, and the defence all round was very safe. On the Wanderers’ side the forwards gave a somewhat ragged show, and it was only on rare occasions that they indulged in a clever passing bout. Wooldridge was a hard worker, but he had great difficulty in getting the better of Abbott and Watson, who watched him closely. Annis and Pheasant were the two best half-backs, as Fleming tried to do too much work. The backs played well, and Baddeley was as reliable as ever.

LIVERPOOL CHAT
Athletic Chat - Wednesday 09 January 1901
Everton are the most disappointing crowd in the League, seeing what poor results they give for the outlay. They played good football, though, at Wolverhampton, and could do everything except score goals. The defence is beginning to feel the strain of a helpless sort of forward rank, and there are rumours of the backs been neither so skilful nor so stubborn as of yore. Baddeley made a marvellous save on Saturday literally from Proudfoot’s chest, as that robust youth was carrying the ball into the net. By the way, that player suffered somewhat from Mr. Black’s ideas of off-side, and Taylor was being constantly pulled up for the same reason. Another feature of the game was the holding-Watson and Bowen being caught wrestling; while Woodbridge was once held fast by the legs by the visiting backs. The team, as a whole, earned unstinted praise at the hands of the Black Country people, a very good critic remarking that the forwards “had only to thank their lack of quick potting at the mark for not reckoning with the whole of the honours.”

BALMER’S BIRTHPLACE
Liverpool Evening Express - Thursday 10 January 1901
TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING EXPRESS
Sir-would you allow me to refer to the birth place of W. Balmer, Everton’s full back? I have overheard on different occasions that he belongs to Aintree, Everton, Walton, Aigburth, &c.. Allow me, as one of his old schoolmates, to state that he belongs to none of these places. He was born in Crosby-green, West derby where he still resides with his father. The first time he played football was with his schoolmates, and the club was known as West Derby. After playing with them for two or three seasons he went to Aintree Church with his brother Jack, and thence to Everton. We can boast of having one International footballer in West Derby (a Rugbyite), and nothing would please his schoolmates more than to see him gain his International cap- Yours, &c., AN OLD SCHOOLMATE. January 9, 1901.

TO-MORROW’S TEAM ARRNAGEMENTS
Liverpool Evening Express - Friday 11 January 1901
Everton v Aston Villa.- This return League match will be played be played at Goodison-park kick off at 2.45. The Everton team has been selected as follows;- Muir, goal; Balmer and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner, forwards.
Bury Reserve v Everton Combination- The Everton team for the Lancashire Combination match at Bury will be;- Kitchen, goal; Eccles and Crelly, backs; Boyle, Green, and R. Taylor, half-backs; Roche, Dawson, Worthington, Gray, and Corrin, forwards. Train leaves Exchange-station at 1.10. 

EVERTON v.  ASTON VILLA
Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 12 January 1901
League match to be played at Goodison Park; kick-off 2.45. The following team has been selected to represent Everton;- Muir, goal; Balmer and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle and Turner, forwards.
EVERTON COMBINATION v. BURY RESERVE
At Bury. Train leaves Exchange Station at 1.10. Everton; Kitchen, goal; Eccles and Crelley, backs; Boyle, Grene, and R. Taylor, half-backs; Roche, Dawson, Worthington, Gray and Corrin, forwards.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 12 January 1901
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY POST
Sir.- Allow me to make a few remarks through the medium of your valuable paper, about the Everton Football Club.

1. Why not put Settle in his old position as centre forward?
2. Bring Abbott into the forward line.

He is a speedy man and a good shot; and again, owing to his size, he would not be put off the ball as easily as some of the lighter men. Eccles and Crelley, of the Combination are a good back men. The team I should like to see is- Muir, Balmer, Eccles of Crelley, Wolstenholme, Boyle, Booth, Sharp, Taylor, Settle, Abbott, and Turner. I hope that some of your readers will take this up, and state their opinion in the matter.- Yours, &c., Jan 11, 1901. EVERTONIAN.

FAMOUS CLUBS AND GROUNDS
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 12 January 1901
MANCHESTER CITY
By Red Rose
The history of the Manchester City may be told in a very few words, for it is only ten years since it adopted professionalism and made a bid for prominence in the football world. Since gaining a place in the coveted circle of the First League a little over 18 months ago, it has maintained a degree of respectable mediocrity, while the English Cup and smaller fry like the Lancashire Cup have never come the City way. This is to be wondered at, seeing the class of players who have been engaged to uphold the club colours, the state of the exchequer generally having been such as to enable the officials to book the best talent which could possibly be obtained. This season the club continues to display in and out form-one Saturday a standard of brilliance being attained, while the very next will see them beaten by an apparently inferior eleven. So far as stature and physique are concerned, the City players this season are fit to hold their own among the very best, and man for man will bear comparison with the heaviest teams in the three kingdoms. However, weight, while being a very important factor, does not count for everything in Socker football-else the City team would be extremely bad to beat.
THE TREND OF LEAGUE FOOTBALL
It is only fitting that a large and important centre like Manchester should be represented in the highest circles of Association football. The whole tendency of present-day football seems to be for the large towns and cities to surely and steadily monopolise the best positions in the First Division of the League. When the League was first initiated there was room for clubs with limited resources like Accrington and Darwen, but such organisations as these have long since had to go to the wall so far as the League is concerned, and now, although the League has been greatly extended, Bury and Preston are about the smallest towns in the country able to boast of a First Division team. Look at the organisations which head the competition to-day, and you will find almost without exception that they hail from the large cities of Lancashire, the Midlands, and the North- Newcastle, Sunderland, Notts Forest, Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Sheffield being notable instance. Bury -the bright star of Lancashire football-is the only small town that can boast of a club fit to hold a prominent position in the forefront of footballdom. The performances of the Shakers during the past few years have demonstrated that it is possible to run a successful team without the practically unlimited resource of the Birmingham, Newcastle and Liverpool organisations. Thus the plucky, hardworking set of players at the command of the Bury directors last season succeeded in accomplishing a feat which the money-bags of Everton and Liverpool had hitherto failed to do. A well filled nurse, however, is of the utmost importance in the successful running of an Association team, and for this reason alone we can hardly expect the Manchester City team to undergo the vicissitudes through which Preston North End, Burnley, Blackburn Rovers, and Bolton Wanderers have passed in recent years- while sooner or later they must rise into prominence, and render themselves famous by the capture of the English Cup, the winning of the League Championship, or some other notable feat.
REMINISCENES OF ARDWICK
Association football was by no means in its infancy in Manchester when the City club sprang into vigorous life, for in the early days of the game in Lancashire many well-known Manchester organisations flourished. Ardwick was one of these, and when this club died a natural death through a lack of support, a few of the officials, undesirous that the game should altogether disappear from the district, took counsel together and formed the Manchester City club. As the latter is, to all intents and purposes, a second or later edition of the Ardwick club, a few words respecting the latter will perhaps not be out of place. Its formation took place in 1880, when a band of young men put their heads together and elected Mr. Wm. Lee (secretary), Mr. W.L. Furniss, and Mr. W. Chew to run the show. A suitable ground was obtained and a small subscription was charged, and before very long the organisation could boast of a fair number of members. The gates, however, were extremely small-indeed, at the commencement they were practically nil, and it was by no means an easy thing for the officials to place eleven reliable amateurs in the field Saturday after Saturday; and many a time the secretary found it a matter of extreme difficulty to get a strong eleven together against Blackburn Rovers, Blackburn Olympic, Witton, Park Road, Burnley, Accrington, Darwen, Bolton Wanderers, and, in later years, Preston North End. These teams, however, were annually met, and although Ardwick had, as a rule, to play second fiddle, at times they brought off some very clever wins. The first guarantee offered by the Ardwick club was accepted by Matlock, but the gate receipts did not cover the guarantee, with the result that Mr. John Allison, who was instrumental in arranging the fixture, had to pay the balance out of his own pocket.
“NIL DESPERANDDUM”
In no way disheartened, however, Mr. Allison and the other officials adopted a bolder policy and in 1890 Ardwick followed in the wake of those Lancashire clubs as the result of whose agitation professionalism was legalised in England in the summer of 1885. Plenty of new blood was obtained. Davie Weir, the famous Bolton Wanderers’ international, cast in his lot with the Mancunians, and was straightway elected captain, bringing down with him from Bolton Milne and McWhirter, also of the Wanderers’ team, as well as Haydock, Whittle, Pearson, and Rushton, of the Reserve. Amongst other players Douglas, of Dundee; Robson, Campbell, and McWhinnie, or Ayr; Young, of Glasgow; and McColl of Burnley, were also secured, and with this galaxy of talent it was not surprising to find them fight their way into the final for the Lancashire Junior Cup, where they succumbed to Kearsley. In the Manchester Cup competition, however, they met with better success. Newton Heath had a monopoly of this cup, having held the trophy for three years in succession but in 1891 Ardwick met them in the final and defeated them, after a hard struggle. The next season Ardwick went one better in this competition, beating Bolton Wanderers, who then occupied third position in the English League, by four goals to one in the final tie. In 1891-2 Ardwick joined the Alliance-the Second Division of that period-and may be said to have done fairly well during their first season, Sheffield Wednesday and Notts Forest being amongst the half-dozen clubs to finish above them. The following season the Alliance was merged into the Second Division of the League, and this time Ardwick stepped up a couple of rungs in the ladder, Small Heath, Sheffield United, Darwen, and Grimsby Town being their superiors in the competition. The club, however, fast got into low water, being unable to stand the pace and racket of League football, and as the result of financial difficulties the organisation came to an untimely end at the end of the following season’s competition, which resulted in them finishing third from the bottom of the Second Division-eight matches being won and 18 lost.
THE BIRTH OF THE CITY
A vigorous organisation, however, quickly rose out of the ashes of the old club, and mainly through the exertions of Mr. Josiah Parlby , an old Ardwickian, the present Manchester City Club was formed on a sound basis. Admission to the Second Division was obtained without any great difficulty, and quite a number of fairly prominent players were secured from other Lancashire teams, amongst the men obtained being Calvey, a Blackburn Rovers, who subsequently got into hot water with the Association; Williams, the clever Woolwich goalkeeper; Smith and Wallace, of Blackpool, Jones, of Everton, McBride, of Liverpool, and Rowan and Finnerhan, of Northwich. The City finished ninth in the Second Division of the League at their first attempt. The following year they climbed up to the second position, tieing with Liverpool premier position with 46 points to their credit -the Merseyites, however, taking the title of champions by reason of a superior goal average. In 1896-7 they were sixth on the list, and the succeeding season saw them come third to Newcastle United and Burnley. In 1898-99 they headed the list with ease with 52 points to their credit, and in company with Glossop, who came a bad second with 46 points- stepped into better company at the expense of Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers. Last year they occupied seventh position in the League, with an exactly similar number of matches lost and won.
PERSONALIA
Of the players the “Cits” now have at their disposal, two or three stand out prominently. Jimmy Ross, the master-hand of the art of combination, although verging on the sere and yellow leaf, is yet one of the best, and generally manages to do himself justice when meeting his old club- Preston North End, Ross holds a unique honour with respect to test matches having been a member of the Burnley, Liverpool, and Manchester City teams, which fought their way out of Division II into Division1., and also participating in that memorable test match at Sheffield, in which Preston North End maintained their place in the First Division at the expense of Notts County. Meredith, the captain, has perhaps, no superior in the three kingdoms as an outside right. The famous Welsh international excels in neat footwork, trickiness, and unerring centres, and shots at goal, while his rare turn of speed stands him in good stead. He has exhibited such magnificent form on the Manchester right that it is not surprising to hear that Ross considered Meredith- when the Welshman was at his best-to have been the best partner he ever had during his football career. This to those who remember, the partnership between Ross and Gordon in the halcyon days of Deepdale, may come as a surprise, but there can be little difference of opinion as to the Welshman’s skill and superb command over the ball. Di Jones, another well-known Welsh international, can still resolutely defend his goal, although increasing in years and weight, while in Johnny Holmes the City have a sturdy, reliable half-back worthy a place in any League eleven.

FOOTBALLERS WHO HAVE PROFESSIONS OR TRADES
Southern Echo - Saturday 12 January 1901
Richard Boyd, Everton’s ex-captain, the right-winger of Stoke, is an artist engaged in a China work at Hanley. So skilful a brushman is he that on the occasion of the wedding of Hyslop the players purchased two very handsome oil-paintings Ex-Guardsman. Three of our most famous players are also club secretaries. James Sharp, one of the finest half-back that ever played a ball, who was for some seasons captain of Preston North End is now secretary of Reading, and has proved a great ville is secretary of Bolton Wanderers and in spite of his cares of office, played, until recently, as brilliantly as ever he did. David Boyd, the ex-Southampton and Preston forward is a ship-builder, and has some very perfect models that he has carved in idle hours. John Cameron, secretary of the Hotspurs, held a very good appointment in a commercial house before quitting Scotland, and while with Everton, edited an athletic paper, John Ball, his old playing partner is a successful tradesman. James Stevenson, of West Bromwich, is in partnership with his brother at Dumbarton, where the pair have a flourishing smithy. Edgar Chadwick and John Holt, two of the finest of the many great players Everton has had, worked regularly. Chadwick is a baker and confectioner at Blackburn, and has a fine nosiness. Holt has a thriving business. He by the way, is a great globe-trotter, and each summer takes a berth on one of the great liners as steward. He is as well known on board some of our ocean cities as he is on the football field. Alec Latta another grand player, is a yacht builder. Robert Holmes, the international, is by trade an engine-driver. As coach to the Stoneyhurst and Ampleforth Colleagues, where come the sons of some of the most noble Catholic families in Europe, he makes a big income.- “Notts Football News.”

EVERTON v.  ASTON VILLA
Sports Argus - Saturday 12 January 1901
THE LEAGUE-FIRST DIVISION
By “Argus Jun”
VILLA LOSE AGAIN
HARD-FOUGHT GAME
EVERTON FORWARDS IN FINE TRIM
PROGRESS OF THE GAME
After 15 minutes; Everton 1 Aston Villa 0
After 30 minutes; Everton 2 Aston Villa 0
Half-time; Everton 2, Aston Villa 1
After 60 minutes; Everton 2 Aston Villa 1
After 75 minutes; Everton 2, Aston Villa 1
Final; Everton 2, Aston Villa 1
In a dense fog the Villa eleven left Birmingham this morning at nine o’clock to receive entertainment from Everton. The Villa have practically lost all hope of retaining the championship honours, it is true, but they are always welcomed by the home club’s treasurer. A good “gate” was anticipated at Goodison Park this afternoon, but the weather to some extent kept many away. Everton played their strongest eleven. Proudfoot being in the centre, Beveridge, the old Notts Forest man, not having rendered them much assistance. Therefore, Aston Villa recognised that the “Toffeyites” would provide them with a stiff struggle, and they would have a hard task to repeat last year’s performance when the Aston brigade won by two goals to one. The Goodison Park supporters hoped to see their representatives take four points, for it will be remembered that the Lancashire eleven were the first to lower the Villa’s colours this season, and at Aston, too! Everton on paper form, are equal to the Villa, and thus everything pointed to an evenly-contested game. Except that Athersmith reappeared in his old position vice Templeton, the Villa were represented by the same eleven that faced so disastrously against the Albion last Saturday. Strict attention has been paid to training during the week, and it was hoped the team would give an improved display. The following were the teams selected;- Everton: - Muir, goal, Balmer, and Watson, backs, Wolstenholme, Booth, and Abbott, half-backs, Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle (captain), and Turner, forwards. Aston Villa: - George goal, Spencer and Evans, backs, Wilkes, Cowan, and Crabtree, half-backs, Athersmith, Devey, Johnson, Garrirty, and Smith, forwards. Referee; Mr. Capes, Burton. The ground at Everton was in fair condition, though on the soft side. There was a fairly strong and rather keen wind blowing. The teams were at full strength, and it is doubtful if Everton have played a stronger side than they ahd in the field for this game, in fact it was the side upon which they elected to rely at the opening of the season. There was a big gathering of people, the cheaper stands being well packed, but the big stand on the reserved side was not full. However, there was a great crowd in the unreserved portion of the ground. In all, there were not many short of 20,000 people present when the game began. The Villa, losing the toss, had to kick off against the wind, and Settle and Turner got away, but Spencer cleared extremely well. A little later the Everton right made ground, but the ball went behind the goal. Still pressing, Booth gave Turner a nice pass, but again Spencer was on the qui vive, and the Villa attacked sharply. After one good movement had been checked, Spencer put the ball nicely into the mouth of the goal again, but it was got away, and Jack Sharp made a fast run down his wing, but could not get the ball into the centre. The Villa were now being pressed, and Evans headed out of goal well at a critical moment, but the Villa halves could not keep the home forwards at bay, and Turner tricked Wilkes very cleverly and made a capital centre, but Evans was not to be beaten. Athersmith tried hard to get away, but Abbott was not easily passed, and a diversion on the Everton right gave the Villa defender a great deal to think about until Proudfoot, while on the run, shot the ball high over the cross-bar. Everton were having all the game, but there was nothing particularly smart in the way of combination on either side, and the shooting of the Everton side was quite loose. There was one very fierce scrimmage in the mouth of the Villa goal, George saving in really magnificent style. Although having quite a horde of opponents round him he came right through them with the ball, bouncing it as he ran, and the crowd gave him a right royal cheer. The Villa defence was very sure, and once Crabtree saved when it appeared more than likely that the Villa custodian would be beaten. At last the Villa went up the field, but a claim for offside pulled them up at a critical moment. Thirteen minutes from the start Everton made a capital attack, and Settle getting on the ball in a good position, neatly dodged past the backs and scored a clever goal. It was a solid piece of work, and Settle gained a great cheer from the crowd. The game still went in favour of Everton, who were now playing a winning game, and the Villa goal was closely invested. George was winded for a time, but was soon able to resume and Smith made a smart run, only to be charged from behind, and the free kick given in favour of the Villa profited them little. Garratty lost a god chance a little later, Balmer taking the ball from him in nice style, but at no time was the Villa forward play up to a really high standard. The halves, too, were frequently beaten, and the consequence was that a great deal of work devolved upon George. So far Athersmith had not had a single chance of showing his prowess, the ball rarely coming to the Villa forwards. Proudfoot made a good dash down, and but for a timely rush across on the part of Crabtree might have scored, but as it was George was able to come pout and effect a save. Still the Villa could make no headway, and when at last a stray chance came their way Wolstenholme robbed Garratty of the ball in a very skilful way. At length the whole line got moving, and, from a pass by Devey, Johnson got in a long shot, but Muir managed to get at the ball, and his save was a very smart one indeed. The Villa were now doing better, and first Devey and then Crabtree made shots at goal, but in each case the ball struck an opponent. Everton now made off, but an appeal was made against Proudfoot for offside, and the referee blew the whistle. However, the home team came again, and after the first attack had been repelled the ball came out to Wolstenholme who took deliberate aim and beat George with a fairly long but extremely difficult shot. Everton were now on the best of terms with themselves, and attacked persistently, but did not manage to add to their score, and a spasmodic attack on the part of the Villa saw the ball carried harmlessly over the goal-line. Sharp ran down. Evans had to concede a corner to prevent him running into goal, then a free kick. The Villa became very dangerous, and after Johnson had shot, Garratty met the ball and put it past Muir, so the Villa were a goal behind at the interval.
Half-time Everton 2 Villa 1.
In the second half the Villa opened well, and the forwards running down Garratty and Devey shot at goal, but without effect. Still the Villa left wing broke away and Smith won a corner, but it came to nothing. Aided by some good play at half the Villa still pressed, and another corner fell to them, but it shared the fate of its predecessors. Still the Everton backs could not get the ball away, and it was not until Proudfoot made a determined run that the home forwards could get the slightest chance. Then Turner went off, and shot right across the mouth of goal, but the ball just went out on the other side of the posts. Then came another spell of play in midfield, and then the Villa backs came in for another spell of work and several hard shots being sent in George had a busy time. James Cowan, when hard pressed, had to concede a corner, and this was so well taken that a fierce scrimmage took place in the mouth of the Villa goal. This scrimmage led to another good attack and (missing line) opening, of which he did not avail himself. The fog was now rather dense, and the game was followed with difficulty from the Press box. A quarter of an hour from the close the mist which ahd been hanging over the ground from the start grew thicker, and it was difficult to follow the flight of the ball from the remote Press box. The Villa did a great deal of pressing now, and had the men played in line better they might have drawn level, but the ball was rarely away from the left wing. Result;- Everton 2 Villa 1
COMMENTS ON THE GAME.
The Vilal and Everton always provides spectators with a good fight, and there was some keen play in the match which took place at Goodison Park to-day. It is true that the Villa were not seen to much advantage in the earlier stages of the game. They did not settle down to play in their old determined style, and for at least three-quarters of the first half the play went very largely in favour of the home team. The forward work on the Everton side was thoroughly good, and it was generally admitted that they had not given such a good and effective display in any match this season. It was a brilliant piece of work on the part of Settle that produced the first goal, and Wolstenholme, from half-back, shot the second with wonderful judgement. The Villa’s goal was also a good one, but the home team deserved to lead at the interval by more than a single point. Up to this period the Villa forward work had been moderate, but the backs and George had done their work very well. At the beginning of the second half the Villa looked like taking a strong lead, Smith and Garratty doing really good work, but they could not score, and Everton got the lead again. For a considerable spell the Everton men were swarming round the Villa goal, and it seemed as though it must fall, but although the home team obtained three corners in rapid succession they could not beast the vigilant George. If anything, the play was faster now than it had been at any previous period of the match. Certainly the ball was taken from goal to goal much more quickly than it had been before, but there was no great amount of method about the forward work on either side. There were few attempts at really skilful Combiantion, the men preferring to rush straight ahead with the ball, and let fly at goal on the slightest provocation. This, while it made the game fiercely exciting did not lead to football of the first class being exhibited by either of the combatants. Generally speaking, however, Everton had a slight pull, and they were the better eleven of the day, although the Villa made a big fight, and were a far more effective team in the second half than they had been in the first. Amongst the individual men George gave one of the best displays in goal. The shots which beat him were quite out of the ordinary, and could not have been stopped. Spencer and Evans were also full of vigour, and held up the forwards opposed to them excellently. The Villa halves opened in rather tame style, but they improved greatly as the game advanced, and all three men in the line did much good work. Among the forwards, Athersmith did not get the chances which should have fallen to his share, and the same tale had to be told of Templeton. It is no use having speedy men on the wings unless they are fed, and Athersmith was not fed efficiently in this match. The halves do not swing out the ball to the wings as they used to do. Smith and Garratty were the best pair, and were often aggressive, but Johnson and Devey did work in the closing half,. All the Everton forwards played splendidly; indeed the team were good all round.

MARTIN JOHN EARP
January 14, 1901 Lincolnshire Echo
Mr. M.J. Earp, who will be remembered as the captain of the Stockport team when they visited Lincoln, on December8th, left Nottingham on Saturday for South Africa, having joined Major-General Baden-Powell's police. Earp was unfortunate in coming to the front in football at a time when Notts Forest had such a reliable pair of backs as Scott and Ritchie to depend upon, and unable to get a regular position in the Forest team, he, for a time, assisted Everton as an amateur. Then he returned to the Forest for a spell, and was finally induced to go to Sheffield, where he turned progressional, and captained the Wednesday team when they won the Association Cup. Last August, he joined Stockport County. When he got out of touch with First Division football, however, he lost some of his enthusiasm, and since the outbreak of the war in South Africa he has always been anxious to go to the Cape. He has been a trooper in the South Notts Hussars for two or three years, and the experience he has gained in that smart yeomanry regiment should stand him in good stead in the more series work that lies before him in South Africa.

EVERTON 2 ASTON VILLA 1
January 14 1901. The Liverpool Mercury
As is usual when these teams meet, there was a large gathering of local enthusiasts at Goodison Park on Saturday, fully 18,000 being present during the progress of the game. Both sides were full strength, and at 2-45 they lined out as follows: - Everton: - Muir, goal, Balmer, and Watson, backs, Wolstenholmes, Booth, and Abbott, halfbacks, Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle (captain), and Turner, forwards. Aston Villa: - George goal, Spencer and Evans, backs, Wilkes, Cowan, and Crabtree, halfbacks, Athersmith, Devey, Johnson, Garrirty, and Smith, forwards. The game opened at a brisk pace, with Everton holding a lead in the operations, and after seventeen minutes play, a smart pass from Sharp to Settle resulted in the latter scoring a clever goal. Later Turner almost defeated George with a swift low shot, and then Athersmith and Devey were busy on the visitors right, but there was no defeating the home defenders, and play was quickly at the other end again. George effected some smart saves under pressure. Smith subsequently got well down, but could exact no quarter from Balmer, and a subsequently attempt to get within shooting range was checked by Wolstenholmes. Returning again Turner forced a corner off Spencer, and Wolstenholmes rushing up, scored with a fast shot, the visiting custodian having no chance of saving. The Villa then put on pressure, and Garrirty scored close in goal. Nothing further occurred up to half-time, when the score stood Everton 2 goals Aston Villa 1. The second half opened with the visitors forcing Muir's position, but the keeper got a capital shot away, from Garrirty, and immediately afterwards Turner was only a trifle wide with a fine shot across the goalmouth. Then followed a stubborn pressure on the Villa goal, corner succeeding corners, until Johnson fastened on the ball and removed play to the other end. Still play favoured the home side until ten minutes from time, when the Villa pulled themselves together, with the result that the Everton goal was subjected to a severe pressure. Muir defended splendidly, and a rush or Proudfoot, supplemented by a smart movement on the left, brought about a melee in from of the Villa goal, which was again saved by George, though surrounded by a host of opponents. During the last few minutes, Everton put on further pressure, but there was no change in the scoring, and Everton won by 2 goals to 1.

BURY RESERVES 2 EVERTON RESERVES 1
January 14 1901. The Liverpool Mercury
At Bury. At the end of 30 minutes Dawson opened the scoring from a melee at close quarters, the ball going though Montgomery legs. Half time Everton 1 goal, Bury nil. Resuming pretty work by Singleton and Cooper completely mystified Eccles, and Singleton getting round him, beat Kitchen with an oblique shot. At length Singleton sent in and Booth rushed in and scored, giving Bury the lead and Bury winning by 2 goals to 1. (Game 21) Everton: - Kitchen, goal, Eccles, and Crelly, backs, Boyle, Green, and Taylor (r), halfbacks, Roche, Dawson, Worthington, Gray, and Corrin, forwards.

M.J. EARP
January 14, 1901. Lincolnshire Echo
M.J. Earp, who will be remembered as the captain of the Stockport team when they visited Lincoln, on December 8 th , left Nottingham on Saturday for South Africa, having joined Major-General Baden-Powell's police. Earp was unfortunate in coming to the front in football at a time when Notts Forest had such a reliable pair of backs as Scott and Ritchie to depend upon, and unable to get a regular position in the Forest team, he, for a time, assisted Everton as an amateur. Then he returned to the Forest for a spell, and was finally induced to go to Sheffield, where he turned professional, and captained the Wednesday team when they won the Association Cup. Last August, he joined Stockport County. When he got out of touch with First Division football, however, he lost some of his enthusiasm, and since the outbreak of the war in South Africa he has always been anxious to go to the Cape. He has been a trooper in the South Notts Hussars for two or three years, and the experience he has gained in that smart yeomanry regiment should stand him in good stead in the more serious work that lies before him in South Africa.

LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT NOTES
Athletic News - Monday 14 January 1901
By the Loiterer.
Everton have not had a canter in the competition, as Mr. Molyneux made all his arrangements safe before going on his annual cruise.  Nevertheless his team have to face the same club on the same ground as last season, when, as all the world knows, Southampton came off an easy first.  Then the ground did not suit Everton, but I do not think the playing pitch has been extended and the Everton team will have to adapt their play to the surroundings.  Even after they have done this the Southern players may have a bit in hand, but I look more hopefully of Everton pulling through than either of the others.  I am not at all sanguine of any of the ties we are interested in, only I rather fancy Everton of the three. 

EVERTON AGAIN DEFEAT THE VILLA.
Athletic News - Monday 14 January 1901
By the Loiterer.
Everton have had the satisfaction- a rare one ’tis true—of taking four points from the Villa this season, their two over successes over last year’s champions being gained by exactly similar scores. There were close upon 20,000 persons present at Goodison Park to witness the downfall of the Midlanders, and though the latter were not so heavily belabored as on their last visit to the city, when Liverpool treated them to a little surprise packet, they were well beaten, and Everton fully deserved to gain the verdict. Both clubs were represented by what must be considered their strongest combinations, as a glance at the names mentioned below will demonstrate, so that there was no fluke about Everton's victory, in fact, the Villa custodian was the chief factor in averting a more serious disaster. No matter how the Villa may be travelling, and they must have tried their supporters very hardly this season, they are always a welcome team in this district, for past fame cannot be obliterated at short notice, and possibly the Everton players recognized this fact, their display being considerably in advance of what has been witnessed from them for many a long day.
HARD TIMES FOR THE VILLA
The visitors had to face a stiff breeze in the first half, during which all the scoring was done. Everton led off with a couple of goals, each of which was obtained by a clever effort, and then just before the interval they practically presented the Villa with their only point. Surely this was carrying generosity to an unwarranted limit! Thirteen minutes after the start, according to a most reliable chronometer, Sharp crossed the ball to Settle, who dodged round Evans, and, with only the custodian to face, made no mistake in opening the scoring. Very few minutes had elapsed when Turner banged the ball straight at George, with such force that the skillful “Villian” lay prone on the earth. Everton fairly had the measure of their opponents in this period, and after half an hour had elapsed, Wolstenholme got possession and fairly shook the rigging with a clipping shot.  With two goals in hand, so to speak, Everton slowed down somewhat, and from a free kick about seven minutes from the interval, the ball was nicely placed, and Watson missed his kick, the leather was sent against Muir, from whom it cannoned to Garritty, who was practically obliged to score. This was the state of affairs half way through the struggle, and it remained thus until the final whistle blew. The Villa shaped better in the second moiety, but rarely appeared like scoring, and their efforts in front of goal seldom brought about the interference of Muir. The most exciting passage of the afternoon occurred about five minutes from the close of the game. From a free kick the ball was dropped into the goalmouth, and George fell in the act of clearing. In instant half the Everton team were on him, and, following suit, half the Villa side precipitated themselves on the struggling mass. As each player came up he dropped on the heap of humanity, but after some considerable time, when everyone expected the custodian to be simply flattened out, he emerged triumphantly, and threw the ball behind.
A BIT OF REAL EVERTON.
The display given by the Everton team all round came as a welcome surprise, and they fairly had the upper hand for the greater part the ninety minutes. There was a better understanding between the players than has been the case in recent matches, and what is of more hopeful import, there was a total absence of dallying with the ball, which was replaced by a determination to make for goal at all hazards. The hitherto patent weakness in the front rank, of hesitancy near goal, could not be laid to their account on this occasion, and in this respect the Villa carried off the honors, the difference between the tactics of the respective sides being in this important branch of the play most marked. Of the Everton forward line, the left wing was decidedly the more dangerous, and the work executed by Settle and Turner was extremely smart. The outside man was particularly aggressive, tricking the Villa backs repeatedly, and then putting the finishing touches to his play, either by prettily dropping the ball in front or shooting with stern resolve. It has always been difficult for me to understand why the Everton left wing has not shone effulgently, for the pair that operate there have ample ability, and against the Villa they showed something of their real worth. Settle gave a vastly improved exhibition, and the goal he scored was beautifully worked for. Would that the humour would extend for a few months, end the Everton left wing attain the heights which it is capable of reaching. The right wing was disappointing, for once in a way, and thus the attack was shorn of much of its keenness. At half Everton held a most decided advantage. Wolstenholme leading the way with another very fine performance and for consistency and effective work the right-winger has few superiors in the country. He simply shattered the plans of the Villa left, and though Smith’s speed often presaged danger, his partner could do nothing with the home half. Booth also rendered excellent service, and Abbott ably backed up their efforts; in fact, the whole line was completely in touch with the front rank, to the consequent improvement of both divisions. Balmer was very sound in his tackling and kicking, and was rarely in difficulties, and beyond one fatal mistake Watson also defended well, whilst Muir was always present when the Villa made their call, which was not as frequent as the visitors’ supporters would have liked.
THE VILLA’S WEAKNESS
It was in the front rank that the chief weakness of the Villa was made manifest. Occasionally they indulged in some concerted action, but the play was by no means evenly distributed. For example, Athersmith was left severely alone for a considerable time, though it must be admitted that he did not exactly cover himself with glory when he had the ball, and on two occasions made a very feeble attempt by sending outside when close to goal. It was only in the closing stages that Smith began to make his presence felt on the left wing, and it was here that the greatest danger to Everton’s success arose. The inside men were very moderate, but the great weakness all along the line was the feeble shooting, and Muir had only about a couple of decent shots to stop. The halves were none too useful to the men in front, and often acknowledged their defeat transgressing the laws of the game relating to fouls. The backs were effective, but to George must unstinted praise be accorded for his brilliant display. Unlike his vis-a-vis, he had some work to do, and he accomplished it in a manner that drew forth the plaudits of everyone present. It was the only part of the team that showed anything approaching the high standard of play which has in previous years been associated with the name of Aston Villa. He well deserved the ovation accorded him as he left the field. The teams were as follows : Everton;- Muir; Balmer and Watson; Wolstenholme, Booth, and Abbott; Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner.  Aston Villa; George; Spencer, and Evans; Wilkes, Cowan, and Crabtree; Athersmith, Devey, Johnson, Garritty, and Smith.  Referee; Mr. G. capes, (Burton). 

EVERTON REVIEW
January 14 1901. The Liverpool Mercury
League teams hailing from Birmingham and district are not deriving much satisfactory from Everton, this season, and, as a matter of fact they have not distinguished themselves against Liverpool. It has been so customary to expatiate upon the excellencies of the Midland clubs that the present state of affairs attracts attention simply on account of the novelty of the situation. Last season Everton presented the Wolves with four points, and forfeitrf three to West Bromwich and the Villa respectively, the Goodison Park team being beaten at home by each of the three clubs mentioned. But the transformation has been complete. Already have three points been extracted from the Wolves, and the victory gained over the Villa on Saturday placed them in the proud position of having gained four points from last year's champions. West Bromwich have also been vanquished, so that the Everton team can point to one meritorious achievement as a result of their labours. Their most recent success showed them in a more favourable light than for some considerable time past, and it may safely be asserted that a continuance of similar form would quickly dispel the dissatisfied feelings, which have been aroused by their numerous previous failures. In the first half-hour of the opening moiety, there was displayed an excellent standard of football, in which the home players showed to the utmost advantage. The methods adopted were those that have been so conspicuously wanting in earlier struggle. Ample skill was interspersed with dash and vigour, the two elements being most judiciously combined to such an extent that the Villa were decidedly overplayed. The pace was very fast and the shooting was crisp and incisive, the result being that the Villa defence was sorely harassed, and George was called upon to preform prodigies of valour between the uprights. In spite of his grand work, Everton twice found the net, and a third was prevented simply because the custodian could not get out of the way of a tremendous short drive from Turner. There followed for a quarter of an hour prior to the interval a toning down process, and the Villa from a mistake by Watson diminished the home teams lead by a goal. In the concluding half the visitors had more of the play, but seldom appeared likely to score. They displayed clever footwork at times, but they lacked vigour, and it was here where they were beaten. The strongest part of the Everton team was at halfback where some very fine work was shown. On the right wing Wolstenholmes attended to Smith and Co, with brotherly assiduity, and so pressing were his attentions that the speedy left winger could rarely get close enough to trouble Muir or the backs. Garrirty was literally helpless against him, but the speedy Smith brought out all his resource and rarely was he beaten. A fine goal was a fitting addition to his display throughout the game. Booth also demonstrated considerable improvement, and Abbott stuck tenaciously to the opposing wing, whilst the whole trio lent every assistance to their front rank. In this latter branch of the teams the left wing bore off the honours of attack. The most dangerous forwards was Turner, who was both tricky and speedy, and his centre were judged to a nicety. His partner Settle emerged from his habitual secturation, and gave several evidence of his innate ability whilst the goal he obtained was the result of a beautiful bit of trickery which fairly puzzled Evans. Sharp indulged in a few sprints, but Taylor was not at his best, and the right wing did not attain its usual efficient standard. Little fault could be found with the backs, for Balmer kicked and Tackled most sturdily, and Watson only made one blunder, which unfortunately cost his side a goal. Muir had little to do throughout the game until the last ten minutes, when he cleared a couple of ‘'headers'' that might easily have been forgiven had he failed to negotiate them. Coming to the Villa, one cannot fail to be struck by the signs of decadence in the front rank, and at halfback. For pretty tapping and deft pediputation the Villa forwards have long been acknowledged experts, but they seem unable to stand the rushes of a less skilful, but more energetic side. In front of goal their efforts were as feeble as in midfield, they were so enticingly efficient and weak finishing touches much previous good work. The forwards did not combined satisfactorily and the play was by no means evenly distributed. Towards the end Smith became rather aggressive, but taken as a body the front rank was not a success. The halves were erratic and often beaten, and the recourse to fouls, to which decaying skill ever lends itself was often apparent. The backs were fairly sound, and kicked with judgement, but George was the one player that saved his side from a heavy reverse. In a tremendous scrimmage under the Villa bar just before time he lay under a mass of struggling friends and foes, but in some occult manner succeeded in getting the ball away, and emerged without, apparently, having lost any of his embonpoint in the tussle. The victory comes to Everton at an opportune period, and with an arduous League match, and equally exacting cup tie in immediate store for them, the success over the Villa should give them confidence for their coming engagements. Saturday next should provide a game well worth witnessing.

THE VILLA BEATEN AT EVERTON
Birmingham Daily Gazette - Monday 14 January 1901
Aston Villa sent their best team to Everton, but they were beaten by 2 goals to 1, and honestly speaking, had the margin in favour of Everton been greater, no one could have grumbled. Everton were cleverly the better team on the day; they were quicker on the ball, more alert to seize their chances, cleverer], and altogether more full of spirit and go. A really magnificent display of goalkeeping by George was the outstanding feature of the Villa game, and it is pretty safe to say that but for his brilliant performance between the sticks the Birmingham brigade would have been utterly and completely routed. I don’t think George has had such a busy and anxious time for many a long day, but he struck to his game like a Trojan, and acquitted himself so nobly that he quite won the affections of the Everton crowd, who cheered him to the echo. In some respects the game was a peculiar one, for there were times when, with a little bit of head and extra dash, it seemed quite possible for the Villa to have pulled the match out of the fire. All the scoring was done in the first half, though in the later stages both goals, and especially that of the Villa, had some miraculous escapes. On two occasions at least it seemed absolutely certain the Villa goal must fall, but by a superhuman effort George came out of the ordeal successfully. This was when a couple of the most desperate scrimmages I can recall took place right under the bar, and in which it seemed that every player on the field except Muir- the Everton custodian-took part. When George eventually came through the ruck with the ball and punted up the field it was to the complete astonishment of everyone on the ground, and certainly I must confess I have never seen a goalkeeper do better or more courageous work. Everton made the pace very hot from the start, and for half an hour were all over the Villa. Settle and Wolstenholme scoring for them. But apparently it was a trifle too warm to last, and they could not keep it up. Had the Villa steadied themselves and risen to the occasion as we have seen them do in days gone by they could easily have equalised, but Garratty only succeeded in getting the ball into the net once. In the second half play was more even, each goal being visited in turn, though Everton were generally the more aggressive, and undoubtedly more dangerous. Again in the closing stages the Everton defence seemed to go a little rocky, but the Villa forwards were not quick enough to take advantage of the many fine runs and centres that Smith got in, and so they were defeated. The one fact that was brought home to us was that the Villa are sadly in want of young blood, especially in the front rank. And I am afraid it is equally true that they do not possess the young blood that is capable of adequately filling the old, and that in these days of limited wages and fixed transfer fees it will be increasingly difficult to obtain it. Smith was the only forward who shone to any advantage, though it is not to be forgotten he was well and faithfully served by Garratty. Devey was right off the mark, and Athersmith with the few chances he got was nothing like the star he used to be. Somehow he seems to have lost his power of centring, and has developed an irritating method of hesitating and running back with the ball, instead of passing or going forward. Johnson was not nearly so effective as usual, his passing and shooting alike being erratic. Wilkes was the best of the halves, but they quite failed to support their forwards when attacking as they should have done. Frequently there was a space of thirty or forty yards between the vanguard and the half back line even when the Villa were close on the opposing goal. A little more energy and cohesion in this respect might have made all the difference in the world. Spencer found a hard nut to crack in Turner and Settle, but Evans was in great form on the left, tackling and kicking splendidly. The Everton forwards were wonderfully smart on the ball, Turner and Sharp doing extremely well on the respective wings, and Proudfoot in the centre keeping them on the move all the time. The half-backs, as a body were far superior to those of the Villa, Booth, Wolstenholme, and Abbott all putting in excellent work, particularly the two former, whose shooting and passing have formed a striking object lesson to their rivals. Balmer proved himself a reliable and resourceful back, and Muir, in goal, did what little came his way in workmanlike fashion. All round Everton were the better side, and deserved to win. I suppose after this latest defeat we may look for some experiments in the Villa team. They have nothing to go for now but the English Cup, so it behoves the to keep an eye on the future.

EVERTON v.  ASTON VILLA
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 14 January 1901
Played at Goodison Park. The weather was of a disagreeable charcater, but notwithstanding, there was a very large crowd of spectators. Settle won the toss, Johnson kicking off towards the Park goal. At first it appeared as though the visitors were going to run clean through, as their right wing seemed on business bent after Johnson’s pass out, but suddenly the advance was checked, and Turner became busy on two occasions. Settle followed with a smart pass, which Turner failed to reach. A free kick against Booth yielded no advantage to the Villa, the ball being returned to the home right, Sharp making a great dash down, but being checked at the finish. Some good play by Spencer spoiled the Everton skipper and his partner on several occasions, but a free kick against Wilkes let the homesters in again, and from the return Balmer made a bold bid for goal with a long shot, following which the Evertonians kept up the attack, Proudfoot twice making attempts for goal. A really brilliant piece of work on the part of Turner was responsible for a very hot onslaught on the Villa goal. Outmanoeuvring Wilkes and Spencer, the home outside left placed the ball beautifully across the goal, and as George was in difficulty, both Settle and Proudfoot tried desperately hard to force a goal. The Villa custodian, however, declined to be beaten, and after a lot of dodging near goal, succeeded in throwing away. Everton kept up the attack with great spirit, and, aided by the wind, were on the aggressive repeatedly, but for a long time could not make any impression, though both Abbott and Taylor were very near. At length Sharp got along on the right wing, passing across to centre, where Settle was lying in wait, and eluding the backs, beautifully planted the ball into the net, quite beyond George’s reach. After a short visit to Everton territory the homesters again made the pace very hot, and Turner shot well for the mark. A free kick against Cowan gave the Villains another anxious time, as after the defence had been severely tested Turner nearly scored when close to goal. The Villa left wing then made tracks but were splendidly pulled up by Wolstenholme, the result being a rush and a shot from Sharp, in answer to which George kicked out. A corner was forced after the throw in, and from the Abbott made one of his favourite lunges the ball travelling very wide of the desired mark. Another drive came from Taylor, and yet another from Turner, and it was freely conceded that up to this point the home team had matters pretty much their own way. Everton were unquestionably having most of the play, and it was only at rare intervals that the Villa crossed the half-line. Once Abbott gave Sharp possession, the latter sprinting gaily along and shooting splendidly, the sphere just passing outside. At last Smith made an incursion to Everton ground, centring accurately, but before either Garratty or Johnson could secure possession Muir rushed out and cleared. The Villa were now giving a glimpse of their old form, time after time racing through the home halves, but fortunately Balmer and Watson were in tip-top form, and defeat was averted. One good move was made by Athersmith, who passed to Devey, the latter giving Johnson a grand chance, but Muir, was on the qui vive, and grandly repelled the visiting centre’s shot. A short delay was caused owing to Settle being grassed and winded, and for some minutes afterwards Jack was quite as good as his master, the most noticeable feature being a brilliant clearance by Balmer. However, later on, the Villa had a good spell of attacking, although they were always checked when they came within shooting distance. Proudfoot broke away from the centre and passed out to Turner, who sprinted down and quickly forced a corner from Spencer. This was remarkably well placed, but was cleared away by Evans, and the ball was sent amongst the half backs. Then Wolstenholme fastened on the leather, and soon steered it into the Villa net, amid deafening cheers, Everton’s second goal coming after thirty-one minutes’ play. This second success on the part of Everton was hugely relished by the crowd, who by this time numbered fully 18,000. As if to emphasise their superiority, Everton again made tracks for George right from the centre kick, and for some moments troubled the visiting defence. A lovely understanding existed between Sharp and Taylor, as the result of which the former forced an abortive corner, following which Abbott shot wide of the mark. The game now opened out somewhat after this, and a free kick was given against Wolstenholme in a good position. After being once cleared the ball was transferred to Garratty, who had no difficulty in placing a goal to the credit of the Villa. Both sides worked desperately hard after this, Cowan unsuccessfully testing Muir. The Villa played hard towards the interval, but failed to equalise. Half-time; Everton goals, Aston Villa 1 goal. The fog thickened somewhat during the progress of the game, and when the rival elevens reappeared in the presence of quite 20,000 people, it seemed as though darkness would come over the proceedings. Proudfoot resumed operations, the Villa at once making their presence felt, and after Balmer had once checked the invaders. Devey put in a true and terrific shot, which Muir successfully coped with. Play ruled in the Birmingham men’s favour for some time, though Muir was not seriously threatened but ultimately Turner got off on the left, and after a fine run, he shot beautifully. George having great difficulty in saving. Following this, Booth checked the centre men when they made an attempt to visit Everton quarters, and Everton went back in fine style, Abbott commencing a long bombardment by a heavy lunge at goal. Then Taylor forced a corner from Evans, and from this Abbott had another pop at goal. Spencer cleared, but a further corner fell to Everton, who a moment later had a free kick close in. A third corner then fell to Everton, but nothing accrued and after a Sharp shot coming from the midst of a crowd of players, the Villa broke away, but this advantage was of short duration, the homesters coming back again. Abbott having another shot at goal. Though the Villa tried desperately hard to reduce Everton’s lead they were met by a stubborn defence, both Balmer and Watson covering Muir in fine fashion. A quarter of an hour from the finish the light got very bad. Everton more than held their own, good shots by Turner and Settle respectively narrowly missing their intended billets. The Villa forced a corner after this, but nothing came of it. About five minutes from the finish an exciting scrimmage took place in the Villa goal, nineteen out of the twenty-two players being in a bunch all on the goal line, and amidst intense excitement George made a wonderful save. Final; Everton 2 goals, Aston Villa 1 goal. Teams;-
Everton: - Muir, goal, Balmer, and Watson, backs, Wolstenholme, Booth, and Abbott, halfbacks, Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle (captain), and Turner, forwards. Aston Villa: - George goal, Spencer and Evans, backs, Wilkes, Cowan, and Crabtree, halfbacks, Athersmith, Devey, Johnson, Garratty, and Smith, forwards.
Lancashire Combination
Bury 2 goals, Everton 1 goal.

LIVERPOOL CHAT
Athletic Chat - Wednesday 16 January 1901
By “Mersey Mentor”
What’s the matter with Everton? They’re all right, surely? The only club in the League to beat Aston Villa at both ends! And on their merits, too. Strange, isn’t it, that when such teams as Notts County, Blackburn Rovers, Bury, and Sheffield Wednesday come to Goodison Park, they should not be beaten, while the League champions, who were burning to avenge that little affair last September, should have to go under. The directors put exactly the same forward rank in the field as brought off the win at Aston Villa, while the Villans had absolutely their best eleven. But the result was the same as before-Everton 2, Villa 1. Everton’s two goals were clapped on before the Villa had settled down, Settle notching the first after a run and shot in his best international style, while Wolstenholme was responsible for the second. All through the game the home trop shooting halves were very prominent, Booth especially putting in some terrific attempts, which did not meet with the luck they deserved. Everton thoroughly deserved their lead at half-time, which would have been greater but for George’s smartness in goal and the way in which Evans dogged Jack Sharpe. Up to this point the Villa’s chief weakness was with the halves, who were too slow, while the forwards looked combination. Ten minutes after the restart the blue shirts made a terrific assault on the Villa goal, three corners falling to them, and half-a-dozen players being at one time in the net. There was a similar scene towards the end, when the Villa made their last effort, and four or five men were on the ground in the goal mouth, but in a miraculous way Muir got the ball away. Although Villa played gamely to the finish they showed little method, and no doubt suffered by neglecting Athersmith too long. Everton’s passing was distinctly superior to the Villa’s, and all round they were the better team. Settle and Turner were the most prominent of the forwards, but they all worked together well, and shot finely. The crowd of 25,000 thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and the man who had suggested that Bootle would get far more interesting play out of an amateur team of its own had to hide his diminished head.
And now, what will happen next Saturday, when Liverpool and Everton meet at Anfield Road for their Second Derby Day? Liverpool have a slight pull in the League table, and annexed a point at the Goodison Park meeting, but seeing-that Everton are now playing a good game, while Liverpool have somewhat gone off, I don’t think the home lot will have a walk over. The game should be a great one, if the men can avoid the displays of feeling which have disfigured these matches in the past.
The successful reappearance of Dicky Boyle after his long illness provides the Everton directors with a capable understudy for either of the present three halves. These men are all doing so well that it would be unjust to displace one of them, but Boyle’s time will come. Possibly we may yet see Wolstenholme in the forward rank, as has been suggested.

EVERTON’S CUP TIE AT SOUTHAMPTON
Liverpool Daily Post - Friday 18 January 1901
Very considerable interest is being evinced by the supporters of the Everton club, the general feeling being that the Everton team this year will take their revenge for last season’s defeat at Southampton. The club’s agent (Messrs. Bullock and Co) have arranged with the Great Western Railway Company to run a special express excursion to Southampton for the match, leaving Central Station (Low level) at 6.40 a.m. on the 26th inst. The train will consist of corridor carriages, and the journey will be completed in a little over six hours, thus allowing plenty of time for dinner in Southampton before the match. The Everton team and officials will travel to Basingstoke on the Friday, going to Southampton on Saturday morning. This will be an unique excursion, being the longest distance day football excursion that has ever left Liverpool.
EVERTON LEAGUE v.  LIVERPOOL
For this return League match at Anfield-road on Saturday, the following team has been selected to represent Everton;- Goal, Muir; backs, Balmer and Watson; half-backs, Wolstenholme, Booth, Abbott; forwards, Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner.
EVERTON v. LEYLAND
The Leyland team pay their return visit to Goodison Park on Saturday next, and for the convenience of those who attend the match the directors will post up the result of the League match at Anfield-road at intervals during the game. Two amateurs from the Old Xaverian’s Football Club will be included in the home team viz., Messrs O’Brien (outside left) and Barlow (centre-forward). Kick-off at three o’clock. The following team has bene selected to represented Everton;- Goal, Kitchen; backs, Halliday, and Crelley; half-backs; Blythe, Green and Taylor; forwards, Roche, Dawson, Barlow, Gray and O’Brien.
I is currently reported that C.B. Fry, the Sussex amateur cricketer, and member of the Corinthian F.C., will assist Southampton in their Cup tie with Everton on January 26.

TOMORROW’S FOOTBALL
Liverpool Evening Express - Friday 18 January 1901
LIVERPOOL v.  EVERTON
The return League match between these two great local clubs takes place at Anfield-road to-morrow, and every preparation has bene made for a big gate. The teams are reported to be in the best of condition, so that everything points to a grand struggle. Never in the history of the two clubs have their positions in the League been more interesting. The gates will be opened at 1.15; kick-off three o’clock. The prices of admission may be seen in our advertising columns. Liverpool; Perkins, goal; Robertson and Dunlop, backs; Wilson, Raisbeck, and Goldie, half-backs; Robertson, McGuigan, Raybould, Walker and Cox, forwards. Everton; Muir, goal; Balmer, and Watson, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle, and Turner, forwards. Kick-off, three o’clock.
Everton Combination v. Leyland.- This return Combination fixture takes place at Goodison Park, the kick-off being fixed for three o’clock. The home team is to have the assistance of Messrs O’Brien and Barlow, two amateurs from the Old Xaverian F.C., who play outside left and centre forward respectively. The progress of the League at Anfield-road will be exhibited on the ground at intervals during the game. The team will be;- Kitchen, goal; Halliday and Crelly, backs; Blythe, Green and F.R. Taylor, half-back; Roche, Dawson, Barlow, Gray and O’Brien, forwards.

EVERTON RESERVE v LEYLAND.
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 19 January 1901
This match at Goodison Park started in a downpour of rain, before only a handful of spectators. Soon after the kick off one of the visiting forwards in trying to clear a corner to Everton put the ball through his own goal. Leyland played up pluckly. and R. Taylor, at back, missing his kick. Walker promptly equalised the score. A few minutes later Barlow put the home team ahead, and Dawson scored a third goal. These reverses seemed to discourage Leyland a great deal, and they played half-heartly game; and were penned in theirt own goal-mouth. Everton should have scored again and again; but the forwards found the ground too slippery. Half-tithe Everton 3. Leyland 1. The game was afterwards abandoned owing the rain, but the half-time score was accepted as final by both sides.

TO-DAY’S GREAT FOOTBALL MATCH
Liverpool Evening Express - Saturday 19 January 1901
Everything else in the football world to-day sinks into insignificance locally compared with the return League match at Anfield-road between the great rival Liverpool and Everton. Given anything like a fine day the accommodation of Liverpool’s ground should be taxed to the uttermost. Unfortunately it cannot hold nearly so many people as Goodison-park, but none the less people should not be deterred from attempting to see what ought to be one of the finest games ever played between the two clubs. Their positions in the League at the present time are extremely interesting, and both teams will naturally strain every nerve to gain the victory. With one exception the full strength of both organisations will be available. Watson, Everton’s left back, will, it is stated, be unable to appear in consequence of an injury sustained in practice. Eccles takes his place, and this clever player will assuredly prove a fit companion for Balmer, as he has done on previous occasions. May victory rest with the better side is the feeling of all true sportsmen.

FAMOUS CLUBS AND GROUNDS
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 19 January 1901
NOTTS COUNTY
By Perseus
Notts County are the popular club of the lace city. To the country Forest as the premiers of Trent side, and their excellent achievements in recent years clearly entitle them so to do; but “good old Notts” still appeal most strongly to the sixpenny spectator. In some sense at least, Forest are the classy team, and Notts-for they never tack on the word County down there-the popular one. The crowds are different in character. Forest followers are of the more equable temperament, and only when the occasion demands an extra spurt do you hear anything like a full-voiced chorus of their old war cry “Just another, Reds!” but pass through the Trent Bridge turnstiles when Notts have a good game on, and you will find yourself in the midst of a crowd as lusty-lunged and demonstrative as may be found anywhere. Or go to a Notts v. Forest match, and mark the warmth of the County’s reception compared with the almost subdued round of cheering which usually greets the Foresters. But make no mistake, the Reds have a solid backing, including the men of substance, who do not hesitate to do handsomely.
BLACK AND WHITE
The County, however, forms our subject at present, and we will speak not of Reds, but of Black and Whites, for so Notts are often called, by reason of their striped singles, an illustration of which is seen on the accompanying figure of Dave Calderhead. Of one thing the County always boast -that they are the oldest established club in the city, having come into being a year or two before Forest, which would practically make them rivals of Stoke for the distinction of being the oldest organisation in the First Division. In those comparatively faraway days of the early the game was, of course, strictly on an amateur basis, and the Notts club was founded by men of position, who also played in the team. It is useless to go over names, some of them little known at the present day, even in Nottingham, but one of those pioneers gained a world-wide reputation, not as footballer, but as cricketer. This was Richard Daft, the first of a line if distinguished cricketers to be connected with the Notts County Football Club. Yet, truth to tell, he never seems to have fired enthusiasm by his football.
A BIRD’S EYE VIEW
Skipping over a period of years one finds that towards the end of the seventies Notts had ambitions in the way of the English Cup without, however, meeting with much success in their first efforts. Possibly this acted in some degree as a damper; anyhow, the club had rather a bad time, losing members, and generally getting weaker. But the occasion brought out the man, and Mr. Arthur T. Ashwell, now a prosperous lawyer, did much to revivify the club, and both in 1882-3 and 1883-4 the County reached the semi-final, to be beaten each time by an odd goal, first by the Old Etonians, and then by Blackburn Rovers. Then, coming to more recent times Notts were one of the original members of the League, and though ejected at the end of 1892-3, they fought their way back after four years, having in the meantime won the English Cup-a performance never accomplished on any other occasion by a club in the Second Division, and one of which the good humoured secretary, Mr. T.E. Harris, is very proud. In some measure this was a surprise victory, for whereas two years previously they had lost to the Rovers at the Oval, they now climbed into the final over the prostrate body of the same club, and that, too, with a less capable eleven. In the League Notts have, as a rule, performed only moderately.
MEN OF MERIT
A list of the Notts County English internationals alone is sufficient to prove that from time to time the club ranks have included men of marked ability. Here are most of the players honoured with caps;- E.H. Greenhalgh, the brothers A.W. and H.A. Cursham, who had the honour of playing against Scotland in the same match, and between them obtained in all 14 caps, A.T. and C.F. Dobson, J.A. Dixon, H.B. Daft, the two Shelton (Alf and Charlie), Stuart Macrae, H. Morse, H. Moore, W. Gunn, and G. Toone. A splendid list this, with the one drawback that it has not been added to since 1892, when George Toone kept goal, and Alfred Shelton played half back in the Scotch match. A very large proposition of the honours were obtained in the early eighties, when Notts were undoubtedly one of the strongest forces in the games, as their run into the semi-finals in two successive seasons serves to show. One international record is greatly treasured by the club, for one of its players, E.H. Greenhalgh, appeared against the Scots in the first international match ever played- in 1872-a match in which, by the way, a former Lord Major of Sheffield, W.E. Clegg, also took part. Perhaps of all these internationals, the cleverest were the Curshams, though some of the others were wonderfully clever, while Jimmy Oswald, a former Scottish member who has gained caps for his own country, was one of the best centres the game has produced.
CRICKETERS AND FOOTBALLERS
It is quite an interesting study to notice how members of the club have also gained prominence in cricket, and one may recall, at least, a few instances. There was Richard Daft, in at the founding of the club, and cricket has seen few more graceful batsmen; and to keep to the same family one may pass to his son, harry, a left winger with five international caps, and a cricketer who has played frequently for his county. Those who have watched Arthur Shrewsbury’s cautious methods at the wickets may not fancy him as a footballer, yet he formerly turned out for Notts, although not one of the vigorous brigade William Gunn’s exploits in football- he was the finest corner taker ever seen- are well known; he used to fly along the right wing in dashing style except when discretion, of which he had large stock caused him to save (missing lines on page) A. Dixon, an international, and for many years previous to last season he was the popular leader of the county cricket team- while Mordecai Sherwin, the distinguished wicket keeper of the Notts and England elevens, also kept goal for the football team, and wherever he went, whether as stumper or custodian, created endless amusement by his funny frolic. Curious is it not that the present goalkeeper is also a very clever wicket-keeper-Pennington, who has played for Lancashire, and has been a highly-respected member of the Old Trafford staff. These are among the best known of the football-cricketers, though I should not omit H.A. Cursham, the talented left winger, who is still the captain of the Notts Amateur C.C., and bats in free and taking style. Let me explain, however, that there is no official connection between Notts and the county cricket club, except that the footballers play on the Trent Bridge ground.
ONE OF THE OLD SCHOOL.
When in Nottingham this season I had the very great pleasure of a chat with Mr. H.A. Cursham, the brilliant outside left, who was at his best in the later seventies and early eighties. In those days his claims to international honours were exceedingly strong, yet he has to bide his time, inasmuch as the partnership of W, Mosforth and E.C. Bambridge was such a successful one that the selectors seemed disinclined to try the experiment of breaking the association, even to let in so talented a player as Cursham undoubtedly was. Consequently the Notts left winger had to figure as first reserve on the honours list, but so marked was his ability, and, indeed, versatility that in 1882, I think it was, he was introduced as outside right. Then a year later, the committee, so well impressed were they, selected him on the left in place of Mosforth- a step which caused much comment at the time. Bambridge should have been his partner, but met with an accident, and this paved the way for the introduced of that prince of dribblers, W.N. Cobbold, who was thus launched on his fine career. Having secured his triple cap in successive years, Cursham was in a fair way for getting his trio again when an injury placed him out of the running after the Irish match in which he had played. His misfortune, however, was the means of letting in another Notts forward, W. Gunn.
“THE PLAYER PAR EXCELLENCE.”
It is instructive to have Mr. Cursham’s opinion of Gunn “To my mind, he was the finest man that ever touched a football; I have knew a player with such complete command over the ball. When he cared to let himself go along the right, his pace and perfect control of the ball enabled him to beat practically everything. And yet, erroneous ideas about him got abroad, for the simple reason that he would not, as I have expressed it above, let himself go. After a semi-final with the Old Etonians, in which Lord Kinnaird bottled him up every time, most people were very severe on Gunn. But Lord Kinnaird was of the vigorous stamp, and simply went straight into the big right winger’s ribs every time. Zand my explanation of Gunn sometimes declining to rough it is this; Cricket was his profession, football his hobby; and with brilliant prospects in the former-prospects since more than fulfilled-he could not afford to recklessly run the risk of injuries which might have seriously cripped his cricketing powers, either temporarily of permanently. But for football pure and simple, Gunn was the player par excellence.”
‘TIS TWENTY YEARS SINCE.
Touching on the style of the amateur days, Mr. Cursham referred to the old individual methods. “When my brother, A.W. was playing, say in the seventies, a man might run into any part of the field, and it would not be though strange. When I came in after my Repton days, the combination idea was just coming along, and in justice to old rivals I would like to say that Nottingham Forest were pioneers of the new idea in England. The style are essentially different, yet I think that if we could get a team of first-class amateurs of the old school in thoroughly good condition for staying, they would beat a professional team of the combination stamp. At the same time, staying power would be very necessary for the individual methods make greater demands on the  men. I remember that after I had practically retired I came forward again, and in a match against the Corinthians-with whom, of course, I used to play myself-appeared at back. The Corinthians were individualists; Notts were playing the professional, or combination, game. For the first 25 minutes the Corinthians, with their speed and dribbling, made rings round us; but they tired, and fell off altogether, while Notts last right through the game.” At the same time, Mr. Cursham is no great believer in absolutely strict training on present day professional lines, and with this and an expression of thanks for the favour of this short interview, I will take leave of him. One word about the ground and the present team. Trent Bridge is one of the prettiest grounds in the League, level as a billiard table, as might be expected, seeing that it is part of the famous cricket field; and the surrounding-artistic suburban villas, &c.- are bright and attractive. The team, captaincy of which, so long, held by Calderhead, is now in the hands of Walter Bull, is to-day just a fair one; perhaps the best man of the lot if he has recovered his old form is Prescott, a dashing full back, whose movements are marked by wonderful elasticity and smartness- a player who worthily upholds the traditions of one of the oldest clubs in the game.

LIVERPOOL 1 EVERTON 2
January 21 1901. The Liverpool Mercury
More wretched weather than that which, prevailed on the occasion of the important fixture can scarcely be imagined, and grave doubts were entertained as to whether the game could possibly take place. The turf always on the soft side, was exceptionally heavy, with here and there pools of water, which accounted for many vagaries during the game. Owing to indisposition of the Everton backs, the Combination pair, Crelly and Eccles were drafted into the teams, while the full eleven represented the home side. At 2-45 the players took up their positions as follows: - Liverpool: - Perkins, goal, Robertson, and Dunlop, backs, Wilson, Raisebeck (captain), and Goldie, halfbacks, Robertson, McGuigan, Raybould, Walker and Cox, forwards. Everton: - Muir, goal, Eccles, and Crelly, backs, Wolstenholmes, Booth, and Abbott, halfbacks, Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle (captain), and Turner, forwards. Right from the start, the Everton forwards became very aggressive, and the methods they adopted gave one the impression that they would eventually turn out a winning team. Long, swinging passes caused the home defenders considerable trouble, and keeping their feet better than their opponents, the Everton forwards were frequently in close proximity to Perkins. As a result of one of these rushes, Taylor scored after play had been in progress 18 minutes. It was only occasionally that the Liverpool appeared dangerous, much ground being left by attempting short passing movements, but at length looseness in the Everton back division gave Cox an opportunity, which he put in the best advantage. Up to half time the Everton team still held a lead in the play, but no further scoring took place. On resuming the Everton forwards were again busy, but met with stout opposition from Dunlop and Robertson, and on the venue being transferred Muir brought off a fine save on the line from Raybound. A little later the visiting custodian had greatly difficulty in getting a shot away from Raisebeck, and a further return by the Liverpool Walker missed a very easy chance of scoring. Once again Everton took up the running, and following several centres from Sharp, Booth supplemented, and Taylor drove hard into the net thus giving his side the lead again. Subsequently the Everton backs were hard pressed Raisebeck being mostly concerned in attacks on the goal, but the defenders prevailed and the game end Everton 2 goals, Liverpool one.

THE LIVERPOOL CLUBS PLAY A HARD GAME.
Athletic News - Monday 21 January 1901
By The Loiterer
The second tit-bit of the season promised to be an interesting event, seeing that the two Liverpool clubs were so close together in the League table, and an additional fillip to the match was the meritorious win by Everton on the previous Saturday. It is, therefore, to be regretted that the weather was in such a bad humour as to spoil the event from football point view. Pitiless rain fell from early morn, and in its train came a stiffest breeze, which swept down the ground from the Anfield-road goal. The turf as a result was soon a quagmire, and, of course, correct football was out of the question. That the game was played to a finish is satisfactory as far as it goes, but it was noticed that the two captains held a consultation after the interval, which no doubt had reference to the advisability of abandoning the game, but, whatever came of it, the game was resumed. Then after Taylor had scored the second, and what proved the winning, goal, Mr. Scragg, the referee, had an interview with the linesmen as to the necessity of concluding the proceedings, but the game went on. I only mention this incident to show under what conditions the game was played, and, so far as criticizing football is concerned, the effort, how good in itself, must of necessity fail to justice to what otherwise would have been an interesting theme. You all know that Everton won by 2 goals to 1, and whatever decisions the officials came to in regard to the conditions under which the match was played, the result stands in favour of Everton. And rightly so, for at the interval they were on level terms, with the elements against them, yet they go on and win.
HOW IT WAS DONE.
There was only one style of play possible, and Everton took it on from the start. There was no shillyshallying in the mud any more than could be helped, but the ball was kept going, not on the ground, but bobbed about, now across from one wing to the other, and from half-back a swing forward, and generally there was a comrade handy to take the ball. The bulk of the play rested with the half-back's and forwards, as it is well to note that both backs were reserve men, and for the greater portion of the first half they had nothing to do. In passing I may say that Eccles and Crelley came out of the ordeal very well, and compared favorably with the Liverpool pair. But the half-backs bore the brunt of the battle, and right well all performed. It is not their fault the Liverpool forwards played the short passing game, but this gave them a fairly even task, and whatever came their way they invariably managed to get in before danger threatened the goal. Wolstenholme played a great game, but all three did very well, and were seldom at fault in feeding the forwards. And the work was not thrown away. No matter how the ball was placed, the forwards got it and made progress in the only way that was possible. As a matter of fact they used their brains to the full, and any dribble that was undertaken was to the benefit of their side, and certainly their all-round play was more to the purpose in view. Sharp and Taylor were the more prominent, but others were always on the alert, and splendid work was done by Proudfoot and Settle. The secret of their success lay in the manner of adapting their play to the existing conditions of the ground, and putting forth every effort to obtain the desired result.
THE CAUSE OF LIVERPOOL’S DEFEAT.
Whatever the effect may be, the cause Of Liverpool’s defeat was the unaccountable way they floundered with the ball in the mud. They never really appreciated the fact that they were playing a game under exceptional conditions. View it in what way you will, their tactics were wrong, and what must be more exasperating to their followers was the absence of any attempt to fit in their work to suit these exceptional conditions. They all played a hard game, but to dribble the ball and then pass alone the ground was courting defeat, as the ball seldom traveled as desired, and the quick Everton halves had always a pull in these bouts for possession. Still Raybould and Walker kept it up, with the result that the move was turned against them. The Liverpool halves were just as hard-working as the Everton trio, but the strain was more severe, inasmuch as they never knew where the ball would be placed, and they were continually on the move. They had to deal with a more intelligent lot, for Proudfoot and his extreme wings were always well advanced, and after going through a lot of grueling tackling, they had often to make off in defence of goal. Raisbeck played well, and tried to alter the style of play his team worked on, but his long passing was lost through a want of conception of what was intended. Further behind, the backs were not at their best, Dunlop evidently tried to do a lot too much, and on the day Robertson was the more reliable. Perkins kept a good goal. The teams were;- Liverpool; Perkins, goal; Robertson and Dunlop, backs; Wilson, Raisebeck, and Goldie, half-backs; Robertson, McGuigan, Raybould, Walker, and Cox, forwards.  Everton; Muir, goal; Eccles and Crelley, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle and Turner, forwards.  Referee; Mr. Scragg. 

LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT NOTES.
Athletic News - Monday 21 January 1901
By the Loiterer.
With all deference to the win of Everton in the bout with Liverpool, most people. I venture to say, will agree that the match was played under gloomy surroundings, and was hardly fit for a real test of strength. At two points of the game there was, on the surface, disposition to cry quits. The first came when Settle and Raisbeck had a consultation when the teams were on level terms, and after Everton had scored the second goal, Mr. Scragg spoke to the linesmen; but things went on as before, plenty of mud, but very little football. The game was on the give-and-take principle, and under the existing conditions. Everton easily won. It was, however, a toss-up sort of game, and the elements were all against a true test of merit.
The Lancashire Combination match between Everton and Leyland, at Goodison Park, was commenced under the most adverse climatic conditions, the ground being a perfect quagmire, and good play being utterly out of the question. Everton at once attached, and from a corner well placed O’Brien shot in, one of the visitors’ defenders assisting the leather into the net. Leyland then equalized through Walker, and Everton scored another two goals, Barlow and Dawson being the shootists. After half an hour’s play the interval was called, with the game in Everton’s favour by three goals to one. The Leyland secretory then intimated his intention of conceding the game to Everton (subject to the approval of the Lancashire Combination), the result of the game to stand as at half-time. 

EVERTON RESERVES 3 LEYLAND 1
January 21 1901. The Liverpool Mercury
At Goodison park. Leyland kicked off in a downpour of rain, the ground being in a shocking state. Everton attacked strongly, and Ashcroft saved well in the first minutes. Eventually from a corner one of the defenders placed the ball through but miskick by Taylor enabled Walker to equalised. Gray got an offside goal, and Ashcroft saved wonderfully on several occasions. He was however beaten by Barlow, before the interval Dawson scored again. At the interval Everton led by 3 goals to 1. Leyland refused to turn out after the interval, and Everton consequently claim the game. (Game 22). Everton: - Kitchen goal, Halliday and Crelly, backs, Blythe, Green, and Taylor (r), halfbacks, Roche, Dawson, Barlow, Gray, and O'Brien, forwards .

EVERTON REVIEW
January 21 1901. The Liverpool Mercury
Amidst a wilderness of slack and swamp, and a wholesome downpouring of rain, the elect of Everton and Liverpool foundered about for 20 minutes at Anfield and close on 18,000 ardent enthusiasts watched them go through the performance. A more dismal day for spectators and more trying conditions for the players could scarcely be imagined, and those of the spectators who clamoured nosily when a faulty move was made on the field might have had their ardour damped somewhat had they ventured from the comparatively long seclusion of the covered stands. There could be no doubt as to the damping process being carried out with celerity and despatch whilst the rain came down all the harder, so to speak. But no one could have anticipated even such a capital display as was witnessed under such a dreatily depressing downpour, at least no use, whose sanity was above reproach and the players of both sides deserve the greatest credit for their efforts to carry out the League contracts, whilst it is not too much to assert that the better exhalation, under similar conditions, could not have been given. The soaked surfaces of the ground like a saturated sponge, clung to the men with more than a passing fondness; it held them in its glutiness grip, but varied the proceedings by allowing then to occasionally glint over its treacherous length, only to finally enshroud there with a musky covering that rendered the individual almost unrecognizable. Similar pranks did the ball play; at times becoming stationary as soon as it touched the ground, and at others quirking over the mud, and ricocheting in every conceivable manner. And all the while the rain kept on raining. What football could there possibly be under such conditions? Nevertheless many excellent bits of play were seen, and on one side were made fewer mistakes than on the other. The Everton players tumbled to the situation more nimbly than did their rivals, hence their success. Early on in the game did the former give the impression that they would ultimately emerge successfully from the pudding, and their victory was the outcome of superior methods and better adaption to the prevailing requirements. What earthly use was it to attempt the short passing game on such a day? Yet this was evidently the chief idea in the development of the Liverpool forwards attacks, but the more they tried to dribble the further they stuck in the mud, and the ball absolutely refused to be dribbled, for it went deeper and deeper into the slush at each propulsion. Long kicks and succeeding rushes were the only tactics likely to be of avail, on such a day, and Everton by adopting these methods, were decidedly more dangerous all through the game than the home side. It does seen strange that experienced players are unable to regulate their movements to be in accord with surroundings of a nature like these which were in evidence on Saturday, for it was utterly absurd to attempt on that turf maneuvers which would have possibly been bewildering on a hard surface. Intelligent football will always prevail, and it was the lack of this, which cost Liverpool the game, their failure to meet the exigencies of the occasion being in marked contrast to the more suitable tactics of their opponents. In having to face such keen rivals, minus both their customary backs, who owing to illness, were each unable to participate in the game, Everton were placed at a serous disadvantage, but the substitutes shaped remarkably well. Eccles in particular fairly reveling in the heavy going. The result was that the defence shone as brightly as ever, and though Crelly was hard beset at times, he stuck to his work gamely. But the strongest part of the Everton team was the half back division, and if the trio give Southampton a taste of what they are capable of accomplishing. Everton will figure in the second round of the English Cup journey. Their work was excellent all round, and indeed on the home side similar praise might be awarded, for Raisebeck and his partner were ever in the midst of the fray, producing opening for their forwards and working consternation in the ranks of their visitors. Wolstenholmes took Cox under his wing as it were from the start and having carefully secured him, kept him there until the finish of the game. The Liverpool; outside left did once burst forth from his confinement, and scored an equalising goal, but after that no further liberty was allowed by the Everton right half. This was all that Cox did during the game. Raisebeck was very prominent, and Wilson worked hard, but it would be better for the last named youth were he to restrain the habit of fouling an opponent a practice which is becoming too common with the capable, and popular right winger. Wilson is a genuine worker, and has sufficient ability in him to be able to dispense with tactics, which can only harm his reputation. The backs on both sides kicked splendidly on the uncertain ground, and the mistakes, which were made, were too ludicrous to be taken seriously. On one occasion the home pair dallied with the ball until Robertson had to send back to Perkins, and in doing so nearly scored for Everton, for the ball went just outside the upright, and the Liverpool custodian had no possible chance of averting a corner. Dunlop and his partner are dashing defenders and, although they often clear in exhilarating fashion, they make some inexplicable blunders. Perkins kept a splendid goal, and had far more work to do than his vis-à-vis, Muir, though the latter was almost caught napping twice in the second half, once from a ground shot from Raybound, when the ball struck on the goal line under the posts, and again when a high shot from Raisebeck tipped over the bar. But both man did well to even hold the ball, which was in a terribly greasy state. Forward, Everton held the advantage, for the sample reason that they did not keep the ball confined and when they did pass, lifted it over to a confreres instead of rushing it along the ground, for in these cases the ball frequently stopped in the mud heap, yards away from the intended billet. When at the interval the score were equal, it did seen possible that Liverpool with the wind in their favour, would prevail, but the illusion was quickly dispelled. They were more effected by the untoward surroundings, and by failing to utilise the openings that were gained, and Walker had two glorious chances of scoring with only Muir to beat, had to acknowledge defeat. It was a case of very hard luck for Liverpool that ‘'the'' gate of the season should be thus spoiled and what with losing points, gate money, and some considerable portion of their ground, which was carried away by the players their experience were by no means of an advisable nature. An attempt was made to put the closure on the game, when the second half had been in progress nearly half an hour, but this was rightly vetoed. The mud larking splashing, and wading through the more continued to the bitter end, and the referee terminated the struggle, which at the best, could only be considered as a hybrid combination of water pole and a skating competition. What was called football did eventually finish, but the rain-kept on missing.

LIVERPOOL v.  EVERTON
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 21 January 1901
Played on the Anfield enclosure. The weather was terribly wet, and not only spoiled good football, but the prospects of a record gate as well. As it was about 18,000 spectators were present. Settle won the toss, and set the Liverpudlians to defend the Oakfield-road goal. Raybould kicked-off, and after half a dozen exchanges in midfield the Everton men went down in strong force. The Everton skipper at the end of a clipping move, found himself with a beautiful opening, and at once made a dash, but came a copper, and went sliding several yards in the mud. The free kick enabled the home contingent to attack strongly, but although McGuigan and Robertson gave the right wing several distinct chances, they utterly failed to make any impression on the Everton defence. Presently Abbott commenced a beautiful move, which ended in Proudfoot almost having the Liverpool goal at his mercy, but he failed when the pinch came. A corner fell to Everton, but yielded no fruit, Liverpool breaking away and forcing the pace until Crelly stayed their rush. Presently the Evertonians again ploughed their way through the mire, and when close to the three-quarter line several players endeavoured to get in their shots, bit either slipped or were shouldered off. The Liverpudlians, however, were unable to shake off their opponents, who kept pegging away in their efforts to reach the home goal, and at last Taylor managed to drive the ball past Perkins, who would have been lucky indeed if he had saved his charge. Everton’s success, which came after twenty minutes’ play, was vociferously cheered. From the centre Liverpool made a rapid raid but nothing further than a goal kick was the result. A good move on the part of Robertson, and McGuigan provided the next feature of interest, the right wing men combining well, but when they had got away beautifully the sphere struck dead in a pool of water, enabling Crelly to dash up and clear. An unaided effort on the part of Raybould followed, but Eccles forced him to send over the line. From the goal kick Everton attacked with great spirit, and considering the slippery and heavy turf the pace was kept up at a tremendous rate. Several abortive shots were sent in by the Everton front rank, but the only one of importance was a brilliant attempt on the part of Settle, who out in a terrific shot, which Perkins negotiated in style. Liverpool, however, were by no means playing a bad game, and the next minute saw the “Reds” busily engaged in attacking Muir. Robertson worked his way beautifully along the wing, eluding Abbott and Crelly in fine style, and centred accurately, but the ball found a resting place in the muddy turf, and a clearance was effected and though Walker had a splendid opening a moment afterwards he shot very wide. Everton soon made their presence felt after the goal kick, and it must be confessed that they adapted themselves better to the prevailing circumstances than did Liverpool. For some minutes they made a terrific raid, and the home defence being a trifle rocky it seemed certain that Everton were bound to increase their lead, but Truner brought pressure to a close by shooting wide. After this Liverpool made a sudden rush. Robertson starting the move, and getting the better of the opposing half and back, he swung the ball across, where Eccles and Booth each failed to stem the threatened danger. Cox, who up to this had been practically idle, pounced upon the ball like a greyhound, and before Muir could realise what had happened his citadel was captured, amid a perfect hurricane of cheering. The equaliser came about eight minutes from the interval, and occasioned great excitement. Everton went down the right and gained a corner, but the homesters defended well, and long kicking between the backs ensued. Eventually the Liverpudlians got away through the efforts of their half backs, and Robertson made play on the right and finished with a clever shot, which Muir endeavoured to save and came a cropper in doing so. The ball passed into the net, but as in its flight it touched Walker’s hand, the point was disallowed. End to end play followed, and when half-time was sounded the score was Liverpool 1 goal, Everton 1 goal.
When the teams reappeared they were arrayed in dry, clean costumes, and certainly they were required, for everyone must have been exceedingly uncomfortable prior to retiring. When the men toed the line Settle and Raisbeck were observed in conversation, and evidently discussing the advisability of abandoning the match, but the crowd loudly exclaimed, “Play the game!” and hostilities were resumed. Proudfoot restarted, Liverpool making the first attacking move, a free kick against Everton placing the “Reds” in a good position, but nothing came of it. The ground became worse, and it was very difficult for the players to keep their feet. Everton made gradual progression, after which Proudfoot had a run on his own, finishing up with a fine, though futile, shot. As time wore on matters became more difficult than ever from a player’s point of view, the churned mud and water rendering anything like accurate play quite out of the question and luck necessarily played a prominent part in the game. Everton were having slightly the best of it, and once much amusement was caused by the frantic efforts of Sharp and Dunlop to elude each other, the latter racing away and centreing finely; but Proudfoot failed to score. McGuigan tested Muir at the other end, without result. Notwithstanding their ill-success, Everton kept up the attack with great persistency, and ti was really wonderfully how the players kept up the pace. For some moments defeat was staved off by Liverpool, but Everton were in determined mood, and never gave up trying. Ultimately the ball was worked up the centre, and transferred to Sharp, who deftly re-crossed to Taylor, who again banged the sphere into the “rigging” quite beyond Perkins’s powers to stop it, this coming after the game had been resumed 17 minutes. From a free kick Eccles netted the ball, but as it failed to touch a second player the effort went for nought. Twenty-two minutes after the resumption the referee and linesmen held a consultation as to whether the game should be proceeded with, in view of the state of the elements, and the terrible condition of the ground. The spectators were evidently in favour of the game proceeding, and the responsible officials, after a short conference, decided that the game should be played “to a finish,” this course finding favour with the vast majority of the enthusiasts present. A quarter of an hour from the finish Raisbeck missed, and let in his opponents once more, but although they had a free kick close in, they made no better use of it. Robertson then changed the scene of play, and though Eccles had cleared once, McGuigan sent in a great shot, which Muir tipped over the bar, the consequent corner being cleverly got away. In the last few minutes both sides tried hard to gain a point, Settle almost doing the trick for Everton. Just before the finish Everton forced three abortive corners. Final result;- Everton 2, Liverpool 1 goal. Teams;-
Everton; Muir, goal; Crelly and Eccles, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Proudfoot, Settle (Captain), and Turner, forwards.
Liverpool;- Perkins, goal; Robertson and Dunlop, backs; Wilson, Raisbeck (Captain), and Goldie, half-backs; Robertson, McGuigan, Raybould, Walker, and Cox, forwards.

LIVERPOOL CHAT
Athletic Chat - Wednesday 23 January 1901
By Mersey Mentor
We had a field day to ourselves on Saturday -and a dirty one. Anfield ground was dirty enough, but the tactics of some of the players gave it points. There always will be excitement when local teams meet, and we can forgive roughness -but dirtiness, never. Everton won, and deserved to win, I say this in full remembrance of that unlucky business of Robertson’s who, after working within twelve yards of Muir, shot hard against Walter’s outstretched hand, off which the ball went into the net. The point was disallowed, of course, but it was a pity, for the effort was a fine one. Dunlop and Taylor were the principal offenders in tactics. I wonder at the former, who we are told has already been reported to the Lancashire Association as using unnecessary force in the Blackburn Rovers’ match. By the way, Mr. Cooper, who made the report, was singularly vague in his complaint, and inept in his recommendation, that referees should have greater powers for dealing with rough players. The law already gives the referee power to send the man off and report him. What more can a referee do? Considering the shocking state of the turf and the weather, the play was really not bad, and the 20,000 people who watched it got all the excitement they paid for. There was a very desperate attack on the Everton goal just before time, which roused the folks to a great pitch, but Eccles and Crelly the reserve backs stood up manfully, and Muir was able to get rid of all the shots which came his way. Mr. Scragg wielded the whistle in the game very efficiently, but the weather was so atrocious that I should not have been surprised if he had refused to turn out at the interval. He took some time about it, too. The railways are running 11s trips to Southampton on Saturday for the Cup-tie, and it promises to be well patronised. The Toffee men are just now in such good form -while the Sotonians are not quite such heroes as they were last season-that the chance of a happy day’s out is bright enough to benefit the folks. We are told that Chadwick and Milward are “lying in wait,” but surely one wing doesn’t make a team? I think Everton will succeed.
Mr. Kelly has succeeded Mr. Clayton as chairman of the Everton Directors, the latter having gone to India on a combined business-pleasure excursion.

POSTPONEMENT OF THE ENGLISH CUP TIES
Liverpool Evening Express - Wednesday 23 January 1901
THE Press Association is informed by Mr. F.J. Wall, the secretary of the Football Association, that the Football Association cup ties, which were to be played next Saturday, are postponed. The Football Association further desires that all clubs playing Association football should postpone their matches. The Emergency Committee of the Yorkshire Rugby Union met to-day to set in conjunction with the Cumberland Rugby Union as regards the Yorkshire v Cumberland county championship match, arranged to be played at Skipton next Saturday, and as the result of an agreement between the counties, they instructed Sam Tattersall, hon secretary, to cancel all arrangement, this measure being in taken of the death of the Queen. Many Yorkshire clubs have under contemplation the abandonment or postponement of matches.
An “Express” representative has interviewed several of the best known football club secretaries in Liverpool this afternoon, and the opinion seems to be generally held that the Football Association have done the right thing in postponing the first round of the English cup ties for Saturday next. Even before the decision became known the feeling was expressed that the ties ought not to be played, and although in certain instances clubs may be put to no small expense such considerations will have no weight in view of the sorrow manifested by the nation at the death of the Queen. Under happier circumstances Everton would have encountered Southampton on the latter’s ground next Saturday, and Liverpool would have been engaged in the lace capital with Notts County, while New Brighton were at Wolverhampton.

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CUP TIES POSTPONED
Liverpool Daily Post - Thursday 24 January 1901
Mr. F.J. Wall, the secretary of the Football Association, states that the Football Association Cup ties which were to be played next Saturday are postponed. The Football Association further desires that all clubs playing Association football should postponed their matches.
The emergency committee of the Football Association having decided to postpone all Cup tie; next Saturday, the Great Western Railway excursion advertised for the Everton match to Southampton also the New Brighton match to Wolverhampton on Saturday next, will not run, but will be postponed to the date fixed for the match by the association.
MATCHES PSOTPONED
The Press Association is informed by Mr. Bentley, president of the Football league, that League matches which have been arranged will be decided unless fixed for the day of the Queen’s funeral.

EVENTS POSTPONED
Liverpool Mercury - Friday 25 January 1901
The friendly match between Everton and Liverpool, arranged to be played at Goodison Park for to-morrow (Saturday), has been postponed.

EVERTON CLUB MATCHES
The Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, January 25, 1901
Out of respect for the memory of the Queen the Everton directors have decided that both the matches away and at home will not take place on Saturday.

FAMOUS CLUBS AND GROUNDS
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 26 January 1901
WOOLWICH ARSENAL
By Red Rose
For many years Woolwich Arsenal have been, and are still, making praiseworthy efforts to secure a place in the first rank of England footballdom, the English League. As a body, Southern clubs have persistently fought shy of the Second Division, and remained content with the fare provided under the auspices of the Southern League, and with the exception of Luton, who have long since departed from the first-named competition, the Arsenal have been the only club to represent the south in the struggle, the successful waging of which means the highest honours for the two teams who finish their 34 matches at the top of the League table. This season they occupy a better position in the ladder than for some years past, and the officials are hopeful that with good management and perseverance they will yet attain the height of their ambition. When that happy time arrives their position will not be begrudged by their Midland and Northern opponents, for the presence of a strong Southern organisation in the First League would give an added interest to the competition.
THE PIONEERS OF PROFESSIONALISM
The Arsenal can lay claim to being the pioneers of professionalism in Southern football circles; and for this reason alone, if for no other, they are worthy of being classed amongst the prominent clubs of the country. A few years ago no professional club existed in the South, although a number of organisations were not above suspicion in the matter of playing bogus amateurs; but to-day strong professional elevens may be found in every large town, and the patrons of Socker football cannot complain of the fare now dished up for them. Just now the Arsenal are brought especially before the notice of Lancashire footballers, by reason of being drawn against the Blackburn Rovers in the first round of the English Cup competition. It is unnecessary to dwell upon their chances against the Blue and Whites; but suffice it to say that Mr. T.B. Mitchell, who for twelve years held the secretarial reins for the Blackburn Rovers, was hopeful and confident that the Arsenal would just scrape in by the old trick against the famous old cup-fighters from East Lancashire. During Mr. Mitchell’s term of office, the Rovers won the English Cup on five occasions, and the Lancashire Cup four times, in addition to holding the East Lancashire Charity Cup during several seasons, so that Mr. Mitchell has already had an experience unique in Cup-hunting, whatever the future may have in store for him.
EARLY DAYS
The foundation of the Arsenal Club dates back to 1886, prior to which little Association football was played in the district. Rugger holding the fort. Associationists from Nottingham, Birmingham, and Lancashire, however, began to settle around the Arsenal, and as the result of a confab amongst these enthusiasts, the “Royal Arsenal Football Club” was formed in close season of 1886. In the first season the club possessed no private enclosure, but played seven matches on Plumstead Common, five of which were won and two lost. The following season, however, the club obtained a more congenial sphere of operations on Plumstead Marshes, and entering for the London Cup, were thrown out by Barnes, in the second round. The Arsenal met Millwall Athletic, their keenest rivals, for the first time in this season, and it is interesting to note that this initial engagement resulted in the overthrow of Millwall by three goals to nil. The following season the Manor field, their present sphere of action, was engaged, and upon this arena the Arsenal were dismissed from both the London and the Kent Cup competitions after making a good fight in each. In 1889-90 considerable success greeted their pot-hunting efforts. For the National trophy they progressed as far as the last round in the qualifying competition before knuckling under to the Swifts, but they met with greater success in the competitions for the London Charity and the Kent senior and junior cups, all three of which they captured. They subsequently removed their quarters to the Invicta ground, which was purchased and laid out by one of their principal supporters, but were dismissed from the English Cup competition in 1891-2 by Derby County by the odd goal. This season, however, they managed to secure the London Hospital Cup.
THE DAWN OF THE PROFESSIONAL.
By this time, however, the paid player was slowly but surely forcing his way upon Southern patrons of football. More than one club privately gave remuneration to the players, who began to demand monetary recognition of their services. The committee of the Arsenal discovered in 1892-3 that they could not hope to retain their most accomplished players unless they paid them, and at a meeting of their supporters it was decided to adopt professionalism. This step, of course, necessitated their withdrawal or expulsion from the London and Kent Associations, and compelled them to remain content with the English Cup Competition that season. Woolwich experienced cruel luck in this tournament, being once again drawn to play on opponents; territory, and Small Heath defeated them at Birmingham. Next year they followed Sunderland out of the hat, and again had to acknowledge defeat in the first round, and at the end of this season a dispute arose with respect to the Invicta ground, the outcome of which was that the club was merged into a limited liability company with a capital of £4,000. The freehold of the Manor field was purchased, every accommodation provided for spectators in the way of stands, &c., the playing pitch was improved, and dressing tents erected, while the name of the club was altered to the “Woolwich Arsenal Football and Athletic Company, Limited,” the use of the word “Royal” being prohibited.
LEAGUES AND CUPS.
Admission to the Second Division of the League was gained in 1893-4, and the Arsenal did well in their initial season, which furnished them with 28 points. In the English Cup competition they fell at home before Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton Wanderers repeating the dose, the following season. The Arsenal joined the United League upon its formation in 1896-7, but only managed to finish in the third position. This year the team again received their quietus early on in the English Cup struggle, and bitterest pill of all, it was at the hands of Millwall Athletic at Millwall- a defeat which rankled long in the breasts of the Woolwich supporters. The directors determined to make a bold bid for prominence in the football world, and with this object engaged Mr. T.B. Mitchell as secretary, at a weekly salary of £4 his great experience in Scottish and Lancashire football being anticipated to prove invaluable to the Arsenal. It must be confessed that the doings of the Woolwich Club since that period have fallen somewhat below expectations. The players have done nothing to startle footballdom, either in the Second Division or the Leaue or in the English Cup competition, and in the former they have never occupied a position much removed from mediocrity, although at the same time they have never had to undergo the vicissitudes experienced by Darwen, Blackpool, Loughborough, and other clubs.
GREAT TRAVELLERS.
It must be remembered, however, that the fact of being so far removed from the general haunts of Second Division football ahs militated against their occupying a very high position. Few teams, if any, in the kingdom have a greater amount of travelling to undergo, and a long journey to the Midlands or the far north once a fortnight, with the night previous probably spent in strange quarters, is hardly conducive to good football being shown. The directors have thus no small difficulties to contend with, but they show themselves an enterprising and persevering body of men, and though the way to the First Division is paved with many obstacles, Woolwich enthusiasts are not without hope that success will crown their efforts in the not very distant future. It would not be unfitting for the claims of the South to be represented in the First League, and the class of football played by Aston Villa, Notts Forest, Sunderland, Newcastle United, and other clubs would prove a rare attraction in the Woolwich district, and give an impetus to football generally in the South. This season the Arsenal have performed creditably in the Second Division, but so far as the race for the first and second position is concerned it is a case of Grimsby, Burnley, and Small Heath running neck and neck, with “the field” far in the rear.
MR. T.B. MITCHELL
Rome was not built in a day, and the building up of a first-class eleven is, in these days of keen competition, no easy matter. The secretarial reins of a club such as Woolwich, however, could not possibly be placed in better hands than those of Mr. Mitchell, than whom a more experienced and able team manager-if we except Mr. Tom Watson, the genial Liverpool secretary-it would be hard to find. Mr. Micthell considers that the football played down South is of a very fair order, and that the composition of the teams is being steadily improved. He commends the idea of a Players’ Union, the interest in which has recently fallen off, but at the same time thinks that professional footballers have had pretty much their own way in the past, and that it is the fault of the leading clubs that wages have risen to such an altitude. He never favoured the idea that the Arsenal should abandon the Second Division for the Southern League, holding that if they wanted first-class football at Plumstead they would have to seek it in the foremost combination in the country. Mr. Mitchell, as is well known, always favoured a mixed team- one in which Englishmen and Scotchmen were equally balanced and this arrangement has, so far as possible, been carried into effect at Plumstead.
PERSONALIA
The players call for very little comment. The club lost a clever and reliable full back and one of its best servants when Joe Powell succumbed to an injury to his arm two or three years ago, at Kettering. The injured limb was amputated, without avail-Powell did not recover. Anderson, Blackwood, and Ord are all players of the useful if not of the brilliant type, while McAvoy has proved worthy of his salt. This player must not be confounded with that clever half-back of the same name who rendered such excellent service to Darwen until they found it imperative to dispense with his services owing to lack of funds. At the termination of his engagement at Darwen McAvoy returned to his team over the Border- Kilmarnock Athletic, and subsequently joined Edinburgh Hibernians. The Woolwich player, however, is a relative of the Old Darwen man, and both played at half-back. Another old “Darrener,” Fergie Hunt, has done capital service for the Arsenal. At Darwen he generally figured at inside right, filling the centre forward position at a pinch, and he has been a shining light in the Arsenal forward rank since he migrated down South.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR-ANSWERS
Liverpool Evening Express - Tuesday 29 January 1901
G.G (Liverpool)- We believe that the Everton club were the first to use goals nets. They were invented by Mr. Brodie the city engineer.
Liverpool- When Everton and Liverpool met at Goodison park on Sept 22nd 1900, 44,324 people paid for admission, and the receipts amounted to £1,311 4s 7d. this is the record “gate” for Everton and Liverpool matches.

NEXT SATURDAY’S FIXTURES
Liverpool Daily Post - Wednesday 30 January 1901
In reference to next Saturday’s League matches, a resolution was passed to the effect that, in view of the King’s order that the day should be observed as one of general mourning, such matches should all be postponed so far as the League was concerned, this decision being in the nature of an order, and not of a request.
The following letter was ordered to be written by the secretary to Mr. F.J. Wall, the secretary of the Football Association, for consideration at the meeting of the Consultative Committee, to be held in London to-day;-
“Midland Hotel, Derby, Jan. 29. 1901
“Dear Sir.- At a meeting of the management Committee of the Football League, held here to-day, the question of the postponed Cup ties, and the dates for future rounds, was considered. After full discussion I was instructed respectfully to submit the following dates for the consideration of Consultative Committee; First round, February 9th; second round, February 23rd; third round, March 23rd; semi-final, April 20th; and final, May 4th. The above dates will cause the least amount of inconvenience to the clubs concerned, and will only necessitate one match being played out of the season. Seeing that my committee represents twenty-six out of the thirty-two clubs engaged in the competition, I thrust you will give this suggestion your favourable consideration.- (Signed) H. Lockett, Secretary.”

LIVERPOOL CHAT
Athletic Chat - Wednesday 30 January 1901
By “Mersey Mentor”
Saturday was a blank day in Liverpool football. Some couple of thousand of people who had intended following the teams to Nottingham or Southampton were disappointed, but there was no grumbling. Liverpool folk quite agreed with the postponement. It is just possible, however, that both Everton and Liverpool will suffer by the adjournment. The latter team in particular is reported to have been trained almost to the hour, so that there is great risk between now and the playing of the ties of the men either becoming stale or suffering from a relaxation of training. Of course, it is very likely that opposing teams will be upset in the same way- and, after all, it can’t be helped.
Abbott, who while at Small Heath was regarded as an inconsistent player, has not missed a match of importance in which Everton have been engaged for fourteen months.
Taylor has scored half a dozen goals for Everton-more than any other player- in spite of the fact that he was not included in the team for the first nine matches.
The value of Booth to Everton is more ungrudgingly acknowledged every week. On his day and in his humour there is no centre half in England to beat him. His great misfortune it has been never to show his true worth in international games.

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Liverpool Daily Post - Thursday 31 January 1901
THE POSTPONEMENT OF CUP TIES
REARRANGEMENT OF DATES
Mr. C. Crump, Birmingham, president over a meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Football Association, at the offices, Chancery-lane, London, yesterday. At the opening of the meeting the following resolution was unanimously passed- “That this meeting of the Football Association respectfully desires to give expression to the profound grief which is felt by its members on account of the death of her Majesty Queen Victoria, and to humbly tender it’s sincere sympathy to his Majesty the King and the members of the Royal family.”
The Secretary reported the result of the match between Reading and Bristol City in the supplementary round of the Association Cup, Reading having won by 2 goals to 1, after two drawn games. The report of the proceedings of the Emergency Committee to the 25th of January, 1901, was then received. Mr. Sherrington moved, and Mr. C. Squires seconded, the following resolution;- “That the Consultative Committee consider the action of the Emergency Committee, in postponing the Cup ties in consequence of the death of her Majesty Queen Victoria was regular, and within the powers of the Emergency Committee.” -This was carried after discussion. The action of the Emergency Committee was then formally confirmed. It was decided that in future very important decisions of the Emergency Committee of a like nature should at once be notified to the principal association and leagues. The committee were informed that the “Blackburn Daily Telegraph” had, on January 22nd. Published a telegram, purporting to come from the secretary of the Football Association, stating that the Cup ties would be postponed. The secretary informed the committee that, in reply to a telegram of inquiry from that paper, he replied as follows;- “Postponement of English Cup ties owing to Queen’s illness under consideration of committee.” It was decided to ask for an explanation from the newspaper in question. With regard to the rearrangement of dates for the competition proper, a number of letters were read from clubs, associations, and leagues, and a variety of suggestions made including line from the Football League, to play the respective rounds on February 9 and 23 and March 23, the semi-finals on April 20, and the final tie on May 4, is being understood that the season should only be extended for the two clubs engaged in the final- It was ultimately decided to play the first two rounds as follows- First round, February 9; second round, February 23; and that subsequent dates should be settled by the council at its next meeting on February 25.