Richie Gillham – Everton FC Heritage Society

John ‘Jock’ Gillespie: From Hampden Park to the Battlefield

14

Mar

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1878-1889, Articles, Latest, Players, Richard Gillham

John ‘Jock’ Gillespie: From Hampden Park to the Battlefield

Richie Gillham John 'Jock' Gillespie John “Jock” Gillespie was born on Tuesday 15 November 1870, in Falkirk. Jock and his three brothers were all good footballers. His brother, George L. Gillespie, was a well-known player of the day who played for Queen’s Park, another brother, Alexander, played for both Queen’s Park and Falkirk. William Gillespie, a third brother, also made occasional appearances on the football field and was a keen cyclist. Their father John, a Ship Carrier , too, was known as an athlete of some prowess. George was one of the founders of the Falkirk Amateurs Football club too.…

Frank (Carlo) Carlton – From a Colt to a Saint

28

Oct

By Richie Gillham

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1950-1959, 1960-1969, Articles, Richard Gillham

Frank (Carlo) Carlton – From a Colt to a Saint

Richie Gillham A young Frank Carlton (courtesy of Joan Griffin, Ancestry.co.uk) Frank Carlton was born in Blackbrook, St Helens, in 1936, into a community where sport was at the heart of everyday life. Like many boys of his generation, his first taste of competition came on the school playing fields. At school, he quickly earned a reputation as a fleet-footed winger in the soccer team. He helped guide Blackbrook to the Windle Pilkington Shield final, one of the key competitions in local schoolboy football. When he moved on to Parr Central School, his athletic abilities flourished. In athletics he excelled…

Ted Forshaw – From Everton Youth Prodigy to Cup Hero via the Oval Ball

30

Sep

By Richie Gillham

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1950-1959, Articles, Latest, Players, Richard Gillham

Ted Forshaw – From Everton Youth Prodigy to Cup Hero via the Oval Ball

Richie Gillham Ted Forshaw may not be a name known to Everton fans, but his story is one of remarkable versatility, resilience, and dedication across multiple disciplines. From the football pitches of Everton to the rugby fields of St Helens, and later to the athletics tracks of Merseyside, Forshaw’s journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of a true sportsman. Born on 26 October 1931, Forshaw began his football journey with Everton FC, signing on 25 March 1957, after scouts had spotted him playing for Sutton Manor Colliery FC. He had also been a keen rugby league player before…

Trevor Finnigan – From Right-Back to Non-League Striking Legend

14

Apr

By Richie Gillham

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1970-1979, Latest, Players, Richard Gillham

Trevor Finnigan – From Right-Back to Non-League Striking Legend

Richie Gillham In the rich and sometimes forgotten annals of English football, certain names burn a little brighter in the hearts of those who watched them, those who knew them, and those who now tell their stories. One such name is Trevor Finnigan, a cult hero whose journey from a young Everton hopeful to non-league legend is as gritty, spirited, and dramatic as any tale in the footballing world. This is the story of a man who went from warming the benches at Everton, to a striking icon at Runcorn, Weymouth, and Yeovil, and whose crowning glory came not…

08

Dec

By Richie Gillham

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1920-1929, 1930-1939, Articles, Richard Gillham, Rob SawyerRob Sawyer

Everton – The Baseball Years

Richie Gillham and Rob Sawyer Baseball may be a minority sport in the UK, but 80 years ago Merseyside was a hotbed of this popular American pastime. Had it not been for the outbreak of War in 1939, perhaps it would have gained a proper foothold in our sporting life. Folklore has it that William Ralph ‘Dixie’ Dean was once introduced to the legendary Babe Ruth (of Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees fame) at a football match. Dean recalled to journalist John Roberts his encounter with Babe. The American introduced himself in typical style by booming: "You’re that…

13

Nov

By Richie Gillham

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1930-1939, Articles, Richard Gillham

Who was the Peruvian Dixie Dean?

Richie Gillham Left to right: Geldard, Dunn, Villanueva, Johnson, Stein (courtesy of the John Rowlands Albert Geldard Collection) Alejandro Villanueva: The Peruvian Legend who Dazzled at Home and Abroad Alejandro Villanueva was one of the most iconic figures in Peruvian football during the heyday of the 1930s. Born on 4 June 1908, in Lima, Villanueva became a symbol of Peruvian football’s golden era during the 1920s and 1930s. Alejandro had many nicknames, including 'Manguera' - a nod to his ability and agility on the pitch with his extraordinary control of a football, and his many outrageous moves. Liverpool Echo, 26…

The Life and Sporting Career of Robert ‘George’ Pilch

30

Oct

By Richie Gillham

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1900-1909, Articles, Players, Richard Gillham

The Life and Sporting Career of Robert ‘George’ Pilch

Richie Gillham Early Life and Football Beginnings Robert 'George' Pilch (Photo: Bob Goodwin, 'The Spurs Alphabet: Complete Who's Who of Tottenham Hotspur F.C.' (1992) ) Robert Pilch, more commonly known by his middle name George, was born on 12 October 1877 in Holt, Norfolk. From a young age, George showcased his athletic prowess, particularly in football. Although born into a family with a rich cricketing heritage (his great-uncle, Fuller Pilch, was a legendary cricketer), George focused on football. His father was also heavily involved in sports, organising the Norwich Church of England Young Men’s Society (CEYMS) ground. This family background…

The Brief History of A.F.C Everton of Auckland, New Zealand 1907-1922

25

Sep

By Richie Gillham

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1900-1909, Articles, Everton Clubs Abroad, New Zealand, Richard Gillham

The Brief History of A.F.C Everton of Auckland, New Zealand 1907-1922

Part I: 1907-1908 Richie Gillham The first reports of a team in Auckland, New Zealand called Everton, appeared in the first decade of the twentieth century, but the club was only in existence for a short period before a second Everton team would be formed in Auckland in 1911. The Auckland Football Association was founded in 1887, following the formation of several football clubs, but it would not be into the next century before Everton Auckland would become part of the organisation. The roots of the club lay in church football, just as it did for Everton FC and St Domingo.…

It started with a Blue – Milford Everton to Armagh City

01

Feb

By Richie Gillham

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Articles, Richard Gillham

It started with a Blue – Milford Everton to Armagh City

Armagh City of Northern Ireland were once known as Milford Everton. This is the story of the club. Written by Brian Weir (Author and Historian) Aidan Murphy (Former Milton Everton Player and Current Chairman of Armagh City) Richard Gillham [NB. If using a mobile phone, the full embeded document cannot be viewed, but the download button will open it. View on a laptop for the full embed within this page]. It-started-with-a-Blue-Milford-Everton-to-Armagh-City-Download

05

Jan

By Richie Gillham

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Articles, Players, Richard Gillham

Everton – The Chinese Links

Evertonians who know Liverpool well, will be aware of the longstanding historical links between the city and China. They may be less knowledgeable about the numerous players who have worn royal blue, but who also played in China at some point in their career, and how far the links go back in time. This article will give readers a flavour of the links between Everton and China over the years, and show how important some aspects of that relationship were intended to be. This introduction sets the scene and focusses on two players who represented Everton during World War Two.…