Mike Royden

36 Posts
St Luke’s – the church with its own football ground

St Luke’s – the church with its own football ground

St Luke’s – the church with its own football ground by Mike Royden https://youtu.be/MsIW2vqWcHM Although Everton F.C. started life as the St Domingo’s church team in 1878, it is now closely associated with another place of worship. St. Luke the Evangelist, nestled between the Main Stand and the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street Stand, contributes to the uniqueness of Goodison Park. As well a providing an evangelical presence for the local community for well over a century, the associated church hall also provides a facility for local organisations, not least as a match day venue for the Everton FC Heritage Society.…
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Remembrance at Goodison Park 2024

Remembrance at Goodison Park 2024

Armistice Day Service, The Fallen of Everton FC Memorial, Goodison Park Representatives of Everton Football Club; Darren Griffiths; Richard Kenyon; former player Ian Snodin; and the Reverend Henry Corbett (Chaplain to Everton Football Club and member of Everton FC Heritage Society). Many thanks are due again to Paul Kelly of Everton FC Heritage Society (supported by his wife Jean), in organising the service, despite continued poor health – this is an event they have now organised with dedication for over a decade. The service was conducted by the Reverend Henry Corbett, Chaplain to Everton Football Club, and the Reverend Lynn…
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Colin Green: The Brymbo Boy and Everton full-back – in conversation with Rob Sawyer

Colin Green: The Brymbo Boy and Everton full-back – in conversation with Rob Sawyer

In 2024, Rob Sawyer of EFCHS met with former Welsh international Colin Green in his Wrexham home. Signed by Everton as a schoolboy in 1957, Colin made his first team debut in September 1960, going on to play eighteen times for the Blues, before making 183 appearances for Birmingham. Now eighty-two years old, a fascinating time was spent in the company of Colin, learning about his life in football, most especially his time at Everton between 1957 and 1962. https://youtu.be/0ues-4XqkcE ............................................................................. Gallery Everton FC squad 1959/60 pictured on the Park End/Bullens Road training ground. Colin Green in on the back…
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The Mighty George Farmer – new release!

The Mighty George Farmer – new release!

'Hey Now Georgie' A great new single release is 'Hey Now Georgie' by Liverpool band The Mighty George Farmer. https://youtu.be/KZSlq-N6Vc4?si=jtz_zQTaR5lAzm4x The song - and the name of the band - is inspired by George Farmer, one of the Toffees' first true stars, and the club's first ever professional player in 1885. We are honoured to say that Everton FC Heritage Society played a key part in the research and in the production of the video. The Research Jamie Yates carried out an incredible amount of research to put the story of George's life together. He also led the project to…
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An Everton Memorabilia Special with Brendan Connolly

An Everton Memorabilia Special with Brendan Connolly

An Everton FC Heritage Society video special Rob Sawyer joins Brendan Connolly of Everton FC Heritage Society to chat about a selection of items from his stunning memorabilia collection. Featuring treasures from as early as 1882, the items discussed feature cup winners medals, international caps, and the probable first known useage of Everton's famous lock-up crest. Plus, a shirt belonging to the great Jimmy Dunn - Everton's 1933 FA Cup winning goalscorer and teammate of Dixie Dean. Please click to view the full film (- and please subscibe to our YouTube channel); https://youtu.be/IYf37yN_zDI . Brendan Connolly Brendan is well-known to…
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Dixie Dean Memorial Trophy – with award winner Séamus Coleman

Dixie Dean Memorial Trophy – with award winner Séamus Coleman

Our full report of the event, together with a short video, filmed and edited by Lewis Royden: https://youtu.be/jp0cJDk5PyM Séamus’s Big Night Rob Sawyer It was a night of celebration, cheers and even a few tears shed as Everton FC Heritage Society’s Séamus Coleman tribute evening was held at the People’s Lounge, Goodison Park on 16 February 2024. The Toffees’ talismanic, long-serving skipper was the 32nd recipient of the illustrious Dixie Dean Memorial Award. Compere Ken Rogers (Chairman of Everton FC Heritage Society) At 7:30pm, the familiar strains of the theme from Z-Cars filled the room and compere Ken Rogers introduced…
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Memories of Goodison Park

Memories of Goodison Park

A Film by Everton FC Heritage Society This is the latest of our Society-made films, which in this episode features a nostalgic look at the history of our great stadium. Our presenters, Ken Rogers and Rob Sawyer - who you will have met before in the 'Everton Village and the Birth of Everton Football Club' film - take us on a memorable journey, through the step-by-step development of Goodison Park from its foundation in 1892, through to the impending ground move on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey. View the full film by clicking here: https://youtu.be/xLeg70CN928 View the full…
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George and Annie Jane Goodison

George and Annie Jane Goodison

Towards the Foundation of a Stadium, and how Classical Egypt came to Waterloo Mike Royden The name ‘Goodison Park’ has always had a touch of class about it, but it so easily could have been called ‘Mere Green’ or possibly ‘Walton Stiles’:  Mere Green being the land leased (and later purchased) for the new Everton FC stadium, and Walton Stiles being the ancient footpath that once ran from the Walton Church area, approximately along what is now Goodison Road, down Spellow Lane and on to County Road.   But where did the name originate, and how did it become the name…
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Tribute to John Hurst

Tribute to John Hurst

John Hurst John Hurst, one of the club’s most cultured centre-backs (and the previous Dixie Dean Memorial Award recipient) passed away recently, so it was fitting that his wife and daughters were present at our Dixie Dean Memorial Award evening as special guests. They joined other audience members in watching a moving video presentation, which captured the essence of this fine footballer and lovely man, who epitomised all that is great about Everton. Rob Sawyer then shared tributes from Joe Royle and Colin Harvey to their friend and former teammate, before asking Derek Temple to join him onstage to speak…
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