Everton Independent Research Data

 

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 02 June 1928
Y Louis T. Kelly

EVERTON DEFENDER UNSIGNED
Sunday Post - Sunday 03 June 1928
DAVID RAITT, the Everton full back, who is still unsigned, paid a visit the other day to the scene his early triumphs —Dundee. The burly Scot was not long in making himself known to several local officials on Tayside, and there is just the possibility that he may return to Scottish football. It is a pity that a player of Raitt’s ability should have to feature in the Second Eleven, but everyone on Mersey- side is quite agreed that it is only the brilliance of Cresswell in the Goodison rear which kept David out of the League team last season.

GATE RECEIPTS
June 8, 1928. The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury.
Everton the champions of the first division of the football league had a record financial season the amount of income over expenditure being £10,499. Gate receipts amounted nearly £60,000, while players wages and transfer fees cost £18,077 and £1929 was expended on players benefits visiting clubs received £6,262 as their share of the gates at Goodison Park. The annual meeting will be held next Friday at the central hall, Renshaw-Street at .30pm. A dividend of 7 and a half per cent's recommended. The retiring directors are Messrs CS Baxter, E Green, and AR Wade who are eligible and often themselves for reelection, and no other nomination having been received, they will be declared elected. The expenditure income and profit and loss accounts are appended.
EXPENDITURES, players wages and transfer etc, £18,077 0s 0d, players benefits £1929 3s 7d, medical fees players accidents insurance's etc, £342 16s 5d, gate division to visitors, £6,262 18s 8s, travelling expenses £2,872 9s 10d, advertising billposting, printing and stationary £335, 5s 11s, gate expenses and trainers wages, £1,107 7s 9d, ground expenses and ground men wages, £2,595 2s 7d, national health and unemployment insurance's, £136 14s 11d, rent rates taxes lighting, water telephone, insurance tax £8,246 11s d0, office expenses, secretary's salary, postage etc, £899 3s 5d, bank interest and commission £908 3s 5d, clothing materials and shoes £326, 16s 6d, league percentages, subscriptions contributions etc, £782, 8s 7d, law costs and accountancy charges £741 5s 8s. Total £50,963 6s 2d, balance to profits old loss account £10,499 15s 4d,
INCOME, gate receipts £52,492 4s 9d, proceeds of matches played away £7,374 2s 11d, percentage of semi-final cup tie £661, 6s 3d, season tickets £617, 2s 6d, advertising contractors for programmes boarding and refreshments £200,5s 1d, share transfer fee £6,10s d0, rent from sub tenants £111,10s 0d, total £61,463 1s 6d, profits and cost accounts June 3 1927, to dividend declared this day at 7 half per cent per annue less income tax £117, 17s 0d
May 5 1928 to depreciation now written off stands etc 10 per cent. Balance carried forward £49,647 7s 7d, total £53,300 11s 00d.
By surplus at this duty as per certified account may 7 1927 $41,973 19s 0d, may 5 1928, by income from Gwladys street property £2838s 3d, income from Goodison-avenue etc property £415 4s 9d, interest from investments war loan £125,0s 0d, consoled loan £46, amounted of income in excess of expenditure £10499 15s 4d, total £53,300 11s 1d.

THE HABIT OF HOLDING OUT
Liverpool Echo - Friday 08 June 1928
John Southworth, ex-Everton centre-forward, is nowadays a busy man at Llandudno with the orchestra.  He finds much time, as I myself know from observation, to wend his way round the magnificent links on top of the Orme.  Now dear old John has come into a new golfing light, for he has joined the band that rejoices in holing out in one- at the “blind hole” the seventeenth.  On this showing it is plain that “to get your form you must visit the Orme.” 

HOUGHTON TO EXETER CITY
June 14 th 1928. The Liverpool Courier
Houghton, who was on the Everton's books as a forward for six years and was a schoolboy international, has been transferred to Exeter City

EXETEH CITY.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette -Friday 15 June 1928
H. Haughton, the Everton forward, has been transferrer to Exeter City. He is a native Liverpool, and for the past three season has been playing with the Reserves as inside-left. He is 5ft 8in height, and weighs 10st I2lb.

DEATH OF AN EVERTON FOUNDER
Liverpool Echo - Friday 15 June 1928
AN Everton “founder” has recently passed to his rest.  Mr. W.J. Gibson was a forward in those far off days when Bootle was a power in the land.  Mr. Gibson, who by the leaves a wife and two children, those early days of football, when players found duties off the field as bottle-washers, &c.  Mr. Gibson never received a penny piece for his expenses or playing.  Some day in the near future I must recall pages of past history through the kindness of a friend, who has sent me a booklet which shows the happenings of Everton for 1894.  One of the most engaging cuttings in that book is an advertisement.  “To those Christmas possessing the Lord’s money.”  “An appeal on behalf of young Christian Jew, who had received a call from a London colleague to enter the mission field, but is prevented through his present circumstances.”  The follows the plaintive cry I have heard so many times;-
“Liabilities 54.  Will the gracious Christian gentlemen and ladies endeavor to help him in this difficulty, as he feels sure that is the work for which the Lord has called him?”  This was in 1894.  Sounds a trifle like some of the “Agony” advertisements of 1928. 
Mr. Gibson retired two years ago after a life-long service with Messrs R. Preston and Company, distillers, Vernon-Street.  He was a prominent freemason and a P.M. of Queen’s Lodge, No. 2681.  There was a large attendance at the interment at St. Luke’s Churchyard, Crosby. 
Mr. Tom Keates writes of him;-
“Billy” Gibson! The familiarly was a legacy of his football days, for he was the famous amateur who played with the United Church Club in Stanley Park in the seventies and joined the Everton Club on its formation in 1879.  He was one of the most brilliant players in its games at Stanley Park, Priory-road, and Anfield-road, and one of the most popular.  He was so cheery, kindly, and unassuming.  After the bulk of the amateurs had consented to receive payment along with the sprinkling of professionals, “Billy” and George Fleming declined to receive payment, although they were two of the most indispensable and clever forwards.  “Billy” frequently dropped into the half-back line.  In both lines he was an outstanding player, and conspicuous in the analytical criticisms of the Press. 

ANNUAL MEETING
June 16, 1928. The Liverpool Post and Mercury.
Last night Everton held their annual meeting, and much interested was aroused in the reading of the letter from lord mayor miss Margaret Beavan, as follows'' I am interested in the approach of the jubilee of the Everton football club and in compilation of a souvenir history. England a nation of sportsmen, and football occupies a prominent position in the world of sport. It draws for its patrons all classes of the community particularly those who are not able to join in the more expensive branches of recreation. The Everton football club has had a fine career, and is now firmly entrenched of a large following. I congratulate them on the success which has attended the club and wish them every prosperity.'' Mr. W C Cuff, was in the chair, and was supported by directors e green a wade, a Coffey, H. Banks, WJ. Sawyer, J. Sharp, W. Gibbins, and Dc Baxter. Mr. Cuff reviewing the season's success pointed to the value of their stands and property in and around Goodison Park. He said the receipts were the highest of any league cup, which spoke volumes for the loyalty of their supporters, who struck to them through thick and thin. The board appreciated this loyalty and the directors believed that the board was entitled to praise for making admirable accommodating for their followers. Casting their minds back a twelve months, when they came before the shareholders, they would remember that he told them the period was the most nerve-racking in the club history, and that their non success was due to the over anxiety of the players, who could not play their nature game. The team was good enough to put them near the top, and my prophecy and confidence in the team has been justified. When the players had no bogey they brought off the championship. The season was one of the most stern in the history of the game, and their victory demonstrated the ability and loyalty of the players in a season, where there was equality such as had not been occurring in any previous season. The credit of winning the championship was all the more worthy in such circumstances, and it was a happy inspiration that led them to victory in the jubilee year. There were grateful to the players, as a team. They admired their team spirit, continual Mr. cuff, and everyone should agree that eventually in the memorable final game. The whole team worked for one player, so that dean should score his record of 60 league goals. Dean is the first to acknowledge the assistance, he has had from his comrades. They had a splendid set of players for next season and they were hopeful that next season, and they were hopeful that another successful season would result. The club had the sanction of the league for substantial and suitable present'' in kind'' each to the value of £25, they wanted the shareholders to rejoice with them. The difficulty of course is to find a place to accommodate 800 shareholders (a voice'' what about Wembley''). Mr. Cuff said the shareholders would be presented with the jubilee history book and that it was proposed to hold a banquet on august 20 TH at the Adolph hotel. Shareholders must make known their decision to be present by July 20 TH . Everybody said Mr. Cuff regretted the death of the member of the board Dr Baxter. A man who set Everton on its successful way and freely gave funds to start the club at its birth. They were happy to co-opt his son Dr Cecil Baxter thus keeping the name still prominently connected with the club. The assembly stood for a moment's silence as a token of their esteem for the late Dr Baxter. Another matter of rejoicing was the appearance of director banks who had given great personal attention to the club and it offices. They were happy to see him present after his severe illness. Mr. cuff suggested that a year ago he could not have raised a smile for any money. He remarked that the championship's victory of 1915. Lacked in a measure the glamour of victory owing to the war, and the previous championships had been won in the Anfield-road days, their next hope was to get a further trophy to bear it company. The chairman pointed out that they proposed to settle the vexed question of the shareholders stands. There would in the future be no A and B stands. The shareholders would be together in one common while he pointed out that they had the sanction for two additional and special medals for Davies, and Martin, who had not qualified for the league champions medal, owing to their having been called into service in the last two months. Finally Mr. Cuff reterred tio the tour of Switzerland, in which he said the Everton players upheld the name of Everton, and won all their games, but did more, they got a further invitation to visit the terms and to show there the real football. The report and balance sheets were adopted, Mr. WJ. Sawyer seconded. On the proposition of Mr. E. Green and Mr. Gibbins seconding a dividend of 7 half per cent. Was declared and Mr. McIntosh (secretary) announced that they, had twenty-seven professional players engaged and a number of very promising amateurs. Messrs Green and Wade and DR. Baxter were re-elected directors. Mr. Denaro moved a vote of thanks to the directors, and reminded them that he had done something similar a year ago, in vastly different circumstances. Everybody realized how admirably the board had worked, Mr. H. Trevor Ellis seconded. Mr. Charles Wright added his congratulations for which Mr. Curr expressed gratitude and reterred to the work of his colleagues and the help and harmony of everyone in authority. He mentioned that they had hundreds of congratulations, and he was very happy to receive a wireless message from the captain and offers of the franconia. The english league cup, the Liverpool cup, and the cup pressed to the club at Geneva were on view. The following players were announced as being signed on, Goal, Davies hardy, backs, Cresswell, O'Donnell, Common Kennedy, half0backs, Kelly, Hart, Virr, Bain, Griffiths, Rooney, Curr, forwards, Crithcley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup, Dunn, Meston, White, Jones Martin, Stein, Lewis, Easton, French, Amateurs –goal, Whalley, WE Stephenson, Forwards CR Webster, J. Roscoe, J. Templeman. The attendance at the Everton Football Club meeting approved the proposed sanctioned by the management committee of the League, to make a present to each of 13 players to the value of £25. It was also stated that League championship medals, would be present to Taylor, Cresswell, O'Donnell, Kelly, Hart, Virr, Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, and Troup, and other medals to Davies and Martin, who had not qualified by number of matches played for League championship medals. The members of the board would receive mementos, the chairman stated, and each of the 800 shareholders a souvenir volume of the history of the club. He also stated the shareholders were to be entertained to a banquet in the Adelphi hotel on August 20. The directors present were Messrs W.C. Cuff, E. Green, WJ Sawyer, J. Sharp, WC Gibbons, AR Wade, A.Coffey, H. Banks and Dr. CS Baxter.

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 16 June 1928
By Louis T. Kelly

EVERTON’S CONQUEST MEETINGS
Liverpool Echo - Monday 18 June 1928
Bee’s Notes
Oh, if only Dickie had been alive, what a volume he could have produced from the annual general meetings of the various football clubs!  Locally, he would have had a ready-made fun-maker.  Recently one speaker said that the club were creating a “presidency” in the matter of pensions, and I thought to myself that I would like to join in such a things as the “presidency.”  Then at the Everton annual we had the felicity of seeing those who scorned and scolded, saying in underbreath, “Bravo,” “Hear, hear,” and the like, which sounded rather strange from some who had kept me many weary hours last season talking over the Everton board’s “incompetence.”  These were the men who said;  “The directors know nothing,”   “The directors have a good conceit of themselves.”  “The management of the Everton club is the laughing stock of the football world.”  “Sack the lot,” and so on.  The same men sat on the same board last season with virtually the same eleven, and now they are gaining congratulations for having won the League.  It is a big turn-round, and closes the mouths of those who would have cast the board aside, if they could. Usually Central Hall has been alive with comment, criticism, curt statement –even to the allowance of the phrase “You’re a lair” –and the music from upstairs bore no charm.  I remember Dr. Whitford (still alive) saying at one of the stormy meetings, “Shut that door and let the people in,” an Irishman that tempered the feeling of the meeting;  the memories of the hall will find a new hitch by the last annual general meeting, which had no bark, little bite, and no spite.  The chairman, Mr. W.C. Cuff, in his own clear fashion, rode over the course of success, and juggled with the A and B shareholders’ figures in a way that showed his mastery of the subject.  It was a long meeting, but long only because there was so much to be arranged in connection with the celebrations of the near future, the Jubilee affair, and the Championship spread.  It was good to hear the kind regards in which the late Dr. Baxter was held; it was good to see Director Harry banks in fettle again; it was good that the word proxy was never mentioned all evening; it was good to know that Mr. Tom Keats, the young-old man at seventy-nine years, has nearly finished his labours in connection with the publication of the Everton Jubilee History book.  These are historic times for the old Goodison Park club, and it would seem that at long last peace reigns supreme in the shareholders’ camp- which is all for the good of the club.  I did not notice some aspirations to the directorial board at the meeting.  Maybe my eyesight was not too good. 

A PIONEER PASSES OUT
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 19 June 1928
Mr. Charlie Parry, writes;-
I cannot let the mention of the "passing "of one of the pioneer players of the Everton club, and furthermore one of the Association football in Liverpool, then over forty years ago, viz., W.Gibson,  who was recently laid to rest in Crosby Cemetery., without a word. A player generally, as far as memory serves, as a half back in the amateur days.  Associated with such men as Jack McGill, Provan, Bargerly, Bob Morris, Tom Marriott, McGregor, &c.  The game were played on the club’s first ground, Arkles-lane, corner of Stanley Park.  You could count the spectators.  No touchlines marked, only imaginary.  When the spectators followed the players and course the ball towards the opposite goal on the playing pitch, and on its being returned by a powerful kick, they had to scamper out of the way.  The football then was played really for sport and the love of the game.  As they got no reward, it was their own out-of-pocket expenses even when they played away from home.  Little do the present crowds of fifty to sixty thousand spectators think of the makers and stalwarts who played and made the game in this district, as it was then in its fancy, The clubs were the Liverpool (one principally of school teachers, the head-master of the Seaman’s Orphanage being their captain), also the Bootle F.C., outside Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Blackburn Olympic, Darwen, Accrington, Halliwell Jubilee, and Preston North End.  They were good old days, and the sport was real sport and enjoyed to the full.  As the old time members pass away it brings back to memory the days off old.  In closing “peace” be to their ashes” and to the memories of the good old timers players and friends associated there with. 

THE SIGNING LIST
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 20 June 1928
Bee’s Notes
Regarding your comments on the Everton F.C meeting no mention is made of the list of players signed.  Is this an oversight ask “ True Blue”  Another matter which very many supporters are anxious to learn; are any efforts being made to secure a class outside-right?  Surely the club are alive to this necessity.  Be good enough to bring this pressing need to the notice of the directors and earn the thanks of a multitude of supporters.  The list has not given newcomers; there is no change from April.  However, here follows “the collection.” 
Goal; Davies, Hardy
Backs, Cresswell, O’Donnell, Common, Kennedy
Half-backs; Kelly, Hart, Virr, Bain, Griffiths, Rooney, Curr
Forwards; Critchley, Forshaw, Dean, Weldon, Troup, Dunn, Meston, White, Jones, Martin, Stein, Lewis, Easton, French,
Amateurs; Goal H.W Whalley, W. E. Stephenson
Forwards CR Webster, J. Roscoe, J. Templeman. 

GOING BACK SOME
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 21 June 1928
Bee’s Notes
Another old-timer in football wares has written me;-
Having noticed letters of Mr. T. Keates and C. parry with reference to my late friend and player-companion, Billy Gibson (says Mr. Jack Douglas, of Flintshire), I though these few particulars, taken from my old records of matches played in the early Everton days, would perhaps, be of some little interest to you and your readers of remarks on sport.  I may say at the time mentioned I was captain of the second team and had the charge of men and also took records of such to report to the committee and also to give a copy of the team, etc., to Mr. Hall, who was then reporting matches for the “Daily Courier,” I think most of the names mentioned in these remarks have now passed away, and I was sorry I could not attend the last rites of my old playing companion and long friend., Mr. W. Gibson.  We used often to meet and compare old times. 
Everton 2nd and Birkenhead met on November 13, 1880;- Parkin, R. Richards, Glover, J. Clark, J. Williams, J. Douglas, W. Gibson, A. parry, C. Jones, W. Williams, J. McGregor. 
Everton 2nd v Excelsior met on December 1, 1880- T. Williams, J. Richards, J. Glover, J. Clark, A.N. Other, J. Douglas, W. Jones, W. Gibson, J. Williams, W. Williams, T. Scott. 
Everton 2nd and Haydock met February 5, 1881; J. Clark, J. Glover, J.,Williams, William Parry, G. Bargery, W. Gibson, J. Asbury, F. Brethill, W. Richards, W. Williams, J. Douglas.
J. Asbury is the present Liverpool FC director
Everton 2nd v Halliwell at Stanley Park.  February 11, 1882 Sinnott, H. Richards, Craig, J. Williams, Scott, Gibson, Bell, Jones, Bethall and Douglas.

A CALL TOP EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Friday 29 June 1928
Bee’s Notes
Many thanks for list of signings-on of the Everton F.C (says, “True Blue”) and I can assure you that many supporters were glad to get the meagre tidings.  It is high time news came through of new signings. Now that Celtic have placed their outside right on the transfer list, surely the directors will sit up and take notice.  Now is the time, not when the season is on, and fancy prices are asked.  Everton’s weak spot appears to be known all over the country, and, in fairness to the loyal supporters, nothing is done.  What an example Huddersfield F.C show!  Cash in hand for new forwards; not content to rest on their oars, new blood, where necessary; always team building; but they have to do this for their support, whereas for the present Everton are quite indifferent- if not they would do likewise.  We want the best as well as Huddersfield and it is up to the Everton Club to provide it.  On behalf of numerous supporters, I thank you for giving the matter the publicity it deserves. 

 

June 1928