Only Once a Blue (9). John Hannan. – Tony Onslow

by Tony OnslowNo Comments
Conveniently situated on the North East Coast of Scotland, the seaport of Dundee earned for its self the title of “Juteopolis” because of the large quantiles of this vegetable fiber they imported before spinning it in to rope and canvas. The Tayside town also imported a large amount of flax, from the Baltic Countries, that was used to make Linen. This form of industry provided employment for a budding young footballer with the name of John Hannan Born 28TH of April 1884, at 53 Hospital Wynd, he was the 2nd child of Daniel, a Jute Mill Overseer, and Jane. The 1891 census reveals that the family, which now contains 7 children, are living on the Hilltown thougher fare and John has joined his Father working in a Jute Mill. He began his football career, playing at Left Back, with local Northern League amateur side Lochee United from where he signed for Celtic in April 1905. He spent a several weeks...
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Mick Higgins , The Original True Blue- Tony Onslow

Mick Higgins , The Original True Blue- Tony Onslow

by Tony Onslow Comment Closed
Mike Higgins No Other player can claim a tighter bond with the early development of Everton Football Club than “good old” Mike Higgins who can surely lay claim to the title of “Original True Blue” From the start of club records, he can be found representing them when they first appeared on Stanley Park. Higgins was with the club during their one-year tenure at Priory Road and took part in the first game Everton played at Anfield. He the longest serving member of the playing staff, when they became founder members of the Football League in 1888. His Irish born Father, Michael, and his Carlisle born Mother Eleanor, were living at Great Yarmouth when their first child Thomas was born in 1860. They then moved to the Southend of Liverpool and were living on Essex Street when they brought their second child to be baptised, on the 20th of September 1862, at the church of St John the Baptist. The names they choose were William Michael. The 1871 census find...
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Gray Wolves – Simon Hart

by simon hart Comment Closed
League Cup Winner With Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984 Fa cup winner and Goalscorer alongside fellow Goalscorer and Frontman Graeme Sharp “I loved playing at Everton.  Once you got on that pitch, the atmosphere was great – the comments you got when you were taking a corner or throw-in were brilliant.” These are the words of Kenny Hibbitt, a Wolverhampton Wanderers stalwart of the 1970s and 1980s – and a member of the last Wolves side to win a league fixture at Goodison Park fully 40 years ago. It was on 15 September 1979 that John Barnwell’s visitors prevailed 3-2, with the help of a debut strike from a player who would later earn a place in Evertonian hearts, Andy Gray. Everton’s goals came from Brian Kidd and a Trevor Ross penalty but Gray wrote the headlines, seven days after his arrival at Molineux from Aston Villa. The circumstances of the Scot’s transfer had been controversial – he signed only after Barnwell had threatened to resign when a specialist advised the Wolves board to abandon the transfer owing...
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Henry F Briggs, An Everton Goalkeeper – Tony Onslow

by Tony Onslow Comment Closed
Signed as cover for the controversial “Happy Jack” Hillman, Frank Briggs joined Everton, from Darwen, in January 1906 having first played football in the Nottinghamshire Coalfield. He had been born at number 84 dwelling – on the Alfreton Turnpike at Eastwood - in 1872 and was the 3rd of child of John, a Domestic Servant, and his Wife, Lucy. Henry Briggs is missing from the1891 census but contemporary newspaper reports place him keeping goal for a Midland League side who were the forerunners of the Mansfield Town of today. His skills quickly caught the attention of struggling Football League Division One outfit Darwen who gained his signature in February 1894. The Cricket and Football Club ran side by side in the Peaceful Valley and the community offered Briggs, a cricketer of proved ability, terms that would also guarantee him a wage throughout the months of Summer. He immediately took his place under the crossbar but could not prevent the Darreners from being relegated at the end of the season. During the summer he returned home...
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