STUD MARKS
August 10, 1918. The Liverpool Football Echo
In answer to a correspondent, it is the fact that W. Balmer has figured in an England v. Scotland inter-League match at Glasgow.
That was in 1901, and the England team was; Kingsley Newcastle); Balmer (Everton), Crabtree (Villa); Bull (Notts), Bannister (Burnley), Needham (Sheffield United); Whittaker (Blackburn), Athersmith (Villa), Raybould (Liverpool), Sager (Bury), and Blackburn (Blackburn). England were well beaten 5-2.
There is little for one to do just now, apart from answering corresponding.
Menham was Everton’s keeper in the 1897 Cup final. He was a tall six feet one, born at North Shields and played for the Grenadier Guards and Luton before joining Everton. Leaving the Blues, Menham spent a season with Wigan County. Subsequently Menham threw in his lot with Swindon Town, for whom he did good work. As a keeper Menham cleared his lines in fine style as a rule, but was inclined to get somewhat excited when hard pressed. In his Swindon days Menham had at least one stable contention who was destined to achieve greatness subsequently on the “turf”. This was A.G. Morris the finest inside left in the kingdom in his day.
David Jardine a former day Bootle and Everton favourite is also doing quite well in the capital of North Wales. Jardine figured in football’s footlight glare at a time when there were some peculiarly kittle-cattle to deal with among one’s clubmates and when social attractions were much stronger than they are today. To degree the sport keeper, who is now in the forties and still fit for active service was understudy to Robinson, the famous internationalist for two seasons at Southampton, after having previously assisted the Overseal F.C. Tiring of waiting a first team turn, Joyce hired him to Millwall for two season, following which he joined Blackburn Rovers for 1902-03, but returned to Millwall for 1905-06. That was fifteen years ago.
High up in the scale of excellence, yet omitted stands Alex Brady, an inside right of first rate ability, known to fame chiefly by reason of his partnership with Alex Latta. As an entire forward line Everton have never placed in the field a quintet to equal Latta, Brady, Geary, Chadwick, and Milward.
Brady a native of Glasgow was by no means a player of the ostentation or ornate type but he was wonderfully accurate in his passing and unselfish to his methods whilst he could shoot well from almost any position. That Brady was something of a traveler in his day is shown when one states that he played in turn for Renton, Celtic, Gainsboro Trinity, Newcastle East End, Sunderland, and Burnley before joining Everton. Then, after securing a distinguished service medal at Everton, Brady threw in his lot with Sheffield Wednesday. For the Blades he, however, shone chiefly as an inside left, for the Olive-grove he laid himself out very largely to fetch and carry for the inimitable Fred Spikesley. It was during Brady’s cojours at Sheffield, by the way that practically the whole of Spikesley’s international honours were won, and this surely is significant of Brady’s effectiveness in bringing the best out of a man. Brady played no small part in Everton’s downfall before the Blades more than once. In brief, Brady was an inside forward after a Meredith’s own heart.

NOTES AND NOTIONS
August 10, 1918. The Liverpool Echo
The Ayr of Freedom Again!
Another famous footballer interned in Germany at the outbreak of war, John Cameron, has had more fortunate that Bloomer, Wolstenholmes. He is now fit and is now the new secretary of Ayr United.

EVERTON FULL BACK IN INDIA
August 14, 1918. The Liverpool Echo
Louis Weller. The Everton full back, writing me from Quetta, says; - your welcome letter, I am in excellent health at present; in fact I have been my arrival in this country, although there is a tremendous lot of malaria knocking about. I see Stoke beat Liverpool on the last lap. What kind of football has been produced this last season? I hardly imagine Stoke running away with championship in ordinary times on paper. No doubt this war has found some unknown talent. I have watched a few matches out here, and I see a few likely lads in time serving soldiers –a couple of lads in the South Lancashire Regiment especially. I have not played a great deal myself, but enough to keep me well in practice and fit. Just now we are at cricket and our own little side has won every match up to date. Arthur Woodward (Norwich and Kirkdale) and Pat Allen of Clyde are doing well with the bat. It is getting very warm out here now, and we play in the cool of the day –if any. Yesterday I received a letter from my old clubmate Bobby Parker who is at Alexandra. On my way out here I ran up against George Livingstone (Manchester U) and he told me he was not far off and I fully intended seeking him that night but unfortunately I had to proceed in the afternoon to Port Suez. He has fully recovered from his wounds and has played a few games and is having a rest from it, but thinks he will be fit when once back in old Blighty. I am sorry to hear of Sam Chedgzoy and Billy Kirsopp and sincerely hope they are both well on their way to recovery. I wish them well.
• Joe Smith, ex-Hull City, Everton and Bury, cannot help Hull this year, as he is now quartered in Ireland.

EVERTON PRACTICE
August 15, 1918. The Evening Express
Everton will hold a practice match at Goodison Park on Saturday at 3-30, this being possibly the only one there before the time comes for serious action. Mr. Cuff tells me that the whole of last years League team is available and they have also had numerous offers of assistance from promising local players so that they will again held a strong side. I quite expect to see them top the table this year. Of course Saturday’s proceeds are for local charities so seize the chance of having a first look at the big ball and give much-needed aid at the same time.

EVERTON PUTTING THEIR HOUSE IN ORDER
August 15, 1918. The Liverpool Echo
Bee’s Sports Notes
Football is on us – and very glad we are, too, for a sight of the big ball is ever welcome no matter what fine weather obtains at this moment. Everton have arranged a practice game for Saturday at Goodison Park and as charity benefits I hope a large crowd will attend to see the League side contests with. “The Reds” Maybe the first game of the season will be on September 2 when combined strengths (Everton-Liverpool v. South and Tranmere) will make an attractive game.

EVERTON TEAMS
August 16, 1918 Evening Express
Everton hold a practice match tomorrow, kick-off 3.30. The regular eleven is again available and will be pitted against promising juniors. The chosen team are;- Blues; Mitchell; Thompson, Robinson; Fleetwood, Wareing, and Grenyer; Wadsworth, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell, and Donnachie. Stripes; Best; Collins, Jackson; Cotter, Cordall, and Honley; Platt, Walter White (the former player); Halwood, Jones and Burgess. Referee; Mr. Jos Stewart.

Wattie White to Play.
Liverpool Echo - Friday 16 August 1918
To-morrow Everton get off the mark, and it  will surprise enthusiasts to find the name of the former Bolton, Everton,. and Fulham player, Wattie 'White (recovered from wounds), in the team.-The strong side chosen for " the" team should win handsomely, but, course, they will not thrash their opponents, and? therefore, the real stuff in the , matter football trickery should be seen tomorrow, starting a£ 3.30.
Calling in Locals
Everton have called in Jackson (Patternmakers), Hooley (local), Platt (Brynn), Hallwood (local), Jones (Patternmakers), and Dailey (a reserve who has been playing with Laird's). Johnnie Best, of course, is the Stadiun) boxer—and ever-happy fellow. Referee Stewart will line up the following sides, and as the proceeds go tochairty, it is expected that a good sized crowd will attend;- League Team; Mitchell; Thompson, Robinson; Fleetwood, Wareing, Grenyer; H. Wadsworth, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell, Donnachie.  
Stripes; Jonnie Best; Collins, Jackson; Cotter, Cordall, Hooley; Platt, Wattie White, Hallwood, Jones, Burgess. 

W. BURGESS
Star Green 'un - Saturday 17 August 1918
W. Burgess the Everton football who was successful in the big foot handicap at Blackpool last week, is 25 years of age.  A miner by profession, he lost part of an arm in a colliery accident ten years ago. 

FIRST OF THE PRACTICE GAMES
August 19, 1918. Evening Express
By CRI
The opening of the football season was heralded locally by the trial at Goodison, and Everton’s run in public should add a fair sum to the coffers of local charities. They are earlier afield over the border and the big ball came into its own “league ally” up north at the same time. Regarding the trial, it demonstrated to all present that Everton are lucky in this fifth year of war, inasmuch as the whole of their first eleven, a combination as powerful as any, in the section is made up of men on work of national importance so that the directors are happy able to report no important change. The opposite on provided by the reserves was not formidable, it is true, but was sufficient to show the seniors as being in pretty good trim when called upon or series work. As far as Mitchell is concerned no opinion can be offered because he had nothing to do, being so well covered by Thompson and Robinson. One was glad to see the former once again in the business after his long absence. His knee was heavily bandaged but it is to be hoped it will stand the strain as he adds greatly to the stability of the defence. The three halves were again the real back-bone of the team, Fleetwood fairly reveiling in the game, while Wareing and Grenyer were as reliable as ever. The front line did not take undue advantage of the opposing defence and if they will take full advantage of shooting chances this season, should collect a fine bag of goals, as they have an excellent understanding. Williamson was given a run at outside right. He is on the small side, but sturdy with plenty of dash and good ball control. As to the Stripes “Best” capital saves several times that one man in my hearing mistook him for Mitchell. There was little to choose between Collins and Jackson, but Cotter was the pick of the intermediate line. Wattie White was at inside left, but did not shine largely because he received absolutely no support from his partner Ward, through the whole attack was never very conspicuous. Higher up I have said that the Everton combination is as powerful as any in the section, and I look to them by the deeds in the League to prove that what I have said is a good estimate of their abilities.

EVERTON’S TRIAL AND PROMISE FOR THE SEASON
August 19, 1918. The Liverpool Echo
Bee’s Sports Notes
Turf good, talent variable –that is a summary of Everton’s trial game of Saturday. It is doubtful whether one gets the best out of a trial game when the class team is pitted against the reserves. A blending of strength with weakness would make for a better match, and would produce better “form” results. Saturday’s game may have shown us that the known Everton players are in their best form or their customary form, but it is purely a guess, because the opposition was too weak to extend any class player. On the other hand, there may be false security and the known Evertonians may have played below the form needed to win a League but we may not have noticed their frailty because the opposition was weak. Time will tell. Certain it is that “the” Everton team look like having a rosy season. Clennell and Bob Thompson look fit – each had a long spell of enforced idleness last season. In goal is Mitchell –nuff sed –at abck the twins Thompson and Robinson at half-back the old familiar line –good enough for an international line, Wareing, Fleetwood, Grenyer; forward centres of Joe Donnachie are an object lessons –he is worth playing in any side on that more alone. Clennell shooting hard and giving the crowd amusement; Gault has shaken off a succession of colds, and should have a profitable season; Jefferis in fashion plate dribbles, coaxing his partner to play – he is a treasure to manipulation for and assistance of partners. It was a petty Wattie White had to forage all through the game. A willing and pretty player, White was a triton among minnows and when he had worked an opening and passed the ball he said good-bye to it. Although he has helped Fulham for a long spell at half-back he showed he had not forgotten forward style. Best of all in the newcomers was friend Johnnie Best, who revels in hard work. He fielded the ball well till late on and then one would pardon slight errors in picking up. Cotter pleased all through –he beats the Makepeace stamp and shows forward tendencies – and Cordall played fairly well. The forwards of the Stripes (beaten 4-0) were heavy –timbered, slow, and knew nothing of ball control, Clennell (2), Jefferis and Gault were the scorers. By the way H. Wadsworth; named on Everton’s team sheet is playing for Liverpool this season.

EVERTON’S SECOND TRIAL
August 26, 1918. The Evening Express
By CRI
The second public practice will be held at Goodison Park next Wednesday, kick-off 6-60. Teams; Blue; Micthell; Robinson, and Thompson; Fleetwood, Wareing, and Grenyer; Cosgrove, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell, and Donnachie. Stripes; Lawson; Riley, and Winders; Cotter, Cordall, and Young; Platt, Grey, Hallwood, Christie, and Bell. Referee; Mr. S. A. Lowe.

EVERTON PLAYER HOME ON LEAVE
August 28, 1918. The Evening Express
By CRI
News that Sam Chedgzoy arrived in Liverpool on leave from France yesterday, and will play in the practice match at Goodison Park tonight, will add greatly to the interest of the proceedings. He will play at outside right in place of Grosgrove, who had been selected. Sam is a popular wearer of the blue shirt and he will have a rousing reception. The team now will be;- Blues; Mitchell; Robinson, and Thompson; Fleetwood, Wareing, Grenyer; Chedgzoy, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell, and Donnachie. Stripes; Lawson; Riley, and Winders; Cotter, Cordall, Young; Platt, Grey, Hallwood, Christie, and Bell. Kick-off 6.30.

CHEGZOY’S APPEARANCE AT TRIAL GAME
August 28, 1918. The Liverpool Echo
Bee’s Sports Notes
The ruling spirit of the boys who return from France is always the same –they want a game. The professional footballer is even more keen than the ordinary amateur player, and the love of the game is thus exemplified. It is always good to find a man keen on his work and capable of finding enjoyment from his work. We have an instance of this in the case of Sam Chedgzoy, who is due tonight to make his reappearance at Goodison Park in the trial game that has been fixed. Chedgoy is home on leave, and is yearning for another game at Goodison Park. But for the war, Simpson and Co would have had to take a back seat when the international caps were handed out, for I am convinced that his Glasgow exhibition had made Chedgzoy’s ran as outside right guarantee that he would be England’s regular outside right. His selection, I feel sure would have been as automatic as that of Crompton and Wedlock. The team now will be;- Blues; Mitchell; Robinson, and Thompson; Fleetwood, Wareing, Grenyer; Chedgzoy, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell, and Donnachie. Stripes; Lawson; Riley, and Winders; Cotter, Cordall, Young; Platt, Grey, Hallwood, Christie, and Bell.

EVERTON’S SECOND TRIAL
August 29, 1918 Evening Express
By CRI
So far as a real test of the merits of the men was concerned, it was a good idea to line up the Everton first team attack in striped shirts, and so let them oppose the regular defence, as this pulled out the best that was in these who will have to bear the brunt of the League battles. Sam Chedgzoy was home on leave, and naturally had a kick but this will not affect any selections, as he will be returning soon to his unit. For some period of the game I thought the defence would have the honours but the forwards showed up well afterwards and the final score was two goals each. Hallwood began it, then Gault squared matters in the first half, afterwards Wareing netted the best goal of the game, rasping home a ball taken on the drop, and Chedgzoy finished up with a “complimentary” equalizer. Mitchell made several spectator one-hand saves, not for, effect but from necessity. The backs and halves were as sound as usual and the front line was best served by Grey and Hallwood. Lawson did quite well in goal for the Stripes, back Riley and Winders gave a promising display, Cotter was the best of the halves, and the forwards showed, that stiff opposition will not keep them from troubling the custodian.

RETURNED SOLDIER AMONG THE GOALS
August 29, 1918. The Liverpool Echo
Bee’s Sports Notes
Long months ago when space permitted discussions of knotty points and talky topics. I spent some time and type on the value of hitting a ball has it came to the shooter. At rope my theory was headed on practical experience. It was a joy to one who was not then grade three to take the ball as it came towards the back, and let it have the full force of the book. No such speed could be obtained by causing the ball to become “dead” and than shooting. The speed of the ball must increase if the contrast is allowed but somehow pre footballers male a fetish of “deadening” a ball are shooting. I was reminded of the matter by the best goal scored last night at Everton’s second trial, Wareing, taking the ball half-volley, banging it is a great ball and scoring a goal to be remembered. It was one of four notches, and Sam Chedgzoy, who looks as well as he plays –saying much, is it hot? – was among the goals; a popular point of course, when he was home on leave. The Everton directors put the regular forwards against the regular defence, and in view of my criticism of a week, or an ago regarding the unevenness of trial games. I am happy now to say tribute to those responsible for the balance of the sides. I am sure the game was a better “trial” as a consequence of putting good players to good taste. There were the goal scorers and side and there is nothing to add save that Cotter continued to please and that Everton’s reserve back shaped very well. Hallwood, Gault, Wareing and Chedgzoy scored.
Blues; Mitchell, goal; Robinson and Thompson, backs; Fleetwood, Wareing and Grenyer, half-backs; Cosgrove, Grey, Hallwood, Holden, and Burgess, forwards. Stripes; Lawson, goal; Riley and Winders, backs; Park, Cotter and Fergie, half-backs; Chedgzoy, Jefferis, Gault, White, and Donnachie, forwards.