1878-1889

Andrew Gibson, The Blue from Dalmellington

Although destined never to play a Football League match for the club, Andrew Gibson played a leading role in the years leading up to Everton becoming founder members of the new organisation.  He had been at the club for two seasons when the above picture was taken and he had travelled a somewhat round about route to reach the town where he would spend the rest of his days. Andrew Gibson was born on 31 January 1864, at 3 High Main Street of the Ayrshire market town of Dalmellington. His father and grandfather, both named Alexander, belonged to the Ancient…
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The Old ‘Un wanders through Walton, lonely as a cloud. With Bill.

The Old ‘Un wanders through Walton, lonely as a cloud. With Bill.

This article, written by early 20th century Everton historian Thomas Keates, originally appeared in the Liverpool Evening Express, of 23 November 1912.  Tom Keates, (or is it John Keats?), dreamily wanders through the rural byways of Walton with his old pal Bill, trying to reimagine the excursion as preparation for his epic poem the 'Eve of St Domingo'.  Nevertheless, there are a few points of interest here for students of early Everton history. GOODISON PARK Memories of Everton's Ground. Famous Cricketers Visit By the Old ‘Un, “Goodison Park eh –a funny park,” said my cousin Bill.  He was down from…
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The man who began a proud football heritage: the Reverend Ben Chambers

The man who began a proud football heritage: the Reverend Ben Chambers

by David Prentice 5 July 2008 / Updated 8 May 2013 HE didn’t know what he had started . . . Ben Swift Chambers during his time at St Domingo But 130 years after the creation of St Domingo’s Football Club, both Everton and Liverpool have paid tribute to Reverend Ben Chambers, the man who founded St Domingo’s FC. The gravestone of the pioneering churchman was re-dedicated on Wednesday at a service of commemoration at Shepley Methodist Church, near Huddersfield. Blues’ Life President Sir Philip Carter and representatives from the Everton Former Players’ Foundation and the Everton Academy, were present…
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