History – Page 14 – Everton FC Heritage Society

25

Jan

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1890-1899, Articles, History, Members Work, Players, Tony Onslow, WW1

Alfred John Schofield

Following in the footsteps of Edgar Chadwick, Alf Schofield first saw the light of day through the mill chimneys of Blackburn in Lancashire. He was born on 16 July 1876 at 39 Alexandra Street, the fourth child of David, a machine maker, and his wife, Betsy. However, following the early death of her husband, Betsy moved Alfred and his siblings to the comfortable surroundings at 48 Brighton Road in Birkdale where on the 1881 census she is reported to be 'living by own means'. Alfred Schofield joined Everton as an amateur in December 1895, and was first seen by the…

25

Jan

By Tony Onslow

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1878-1889, History, Members Work, Tony OnslowAnfield, First game at Anfield, Thomas Whittle, Tony Onslow, Walter Richards, William Gibson

The Three Young Blues

...Who played together in that historic first game at Anfield on 27 September 1884 Like many of the young teenagers of Victorian Liverpool, William Gibson, Walter Richards and Thomas Whittle would have been drawn towards the new game, association football, that was beginning to sweep the land and would have spent their early teens watching such teams as Everton on Stanley Park. They also would have observed that this particular club had, by 1882, attracted the largest number spectators to their unguarded playing area. The following year, when they moved to an enclosure, William Gibson appeared in their line-up. Born…

25

Jan

By Tony Onslow

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1878-1889, Articles, History, Members Work, Players, Tony OnslowDarwen, Preston North End, Walter Smalley

Only Once a Blue (8) Walter Smalley

Everton had just excepted the invitation to become founder members of the Football League when Tommy Costley declared himself 'unavailable' for the home game on 2 April. His place was taken by the elder brother of the club goalkeeper, Walter Smalley. Born 1864 at Over Darwen in Lancashire, he was the eldest child of Thomas, a cotton mill manager, and Jane. The 1881 census recorded the Smalley family, now with four children, living in a larger home at St Matthews Terrace in Preston, where Walter had found employment as a clerk. He has also become a member of North…

25

Jan

By Tony Onslow

1890-1899, History, Tony OnslowDarwen, Darwen FC, Everton, Goalkeeper, Henry Biggs

Henry F Briggs, An Everton Goalkeeper

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 area. He had been born at dwelling number 84 on the Alfreton Turnpike at Eastwood in 1872 and was the third of child of John, a domestic servant, and his wife, Lucy. Henry Briggs is missing from the 1891 census, but contemporary newspaper reports placed him keeping goal for a Midland League side who were the forerunners of Mansfield Town. His skills quickly caught the attention of struggling Football League Division One outfit Darwen,…

02

Jan

By Tony Onslow

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1900-1909, History, Members Work, Tony OnslowWilliam Wildman; West Ham United

William Wildman

Full back William Wildman was invited to join Everton in 1903, having been spotted playing with local amateur team, Queens Road Mission. No fee was involved, but the Goodison Park club made a donation to the mission of £6 7s 6d. [Today worth around £800]. Their new recruit had been born 5 March 1880, and was the seventh child of Allison, a shipwright, and his wife, Elizabeth. At that time the family lived in Exley Street, but in the 1901 census, they were recorded as living in Richmond Grove, where William had found employment as a commercial clerk. Kept out…

Blue plaque unveiled at Dixie Dean’s primary school in Birkenhead

14

Dec

By David Prentice

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1910-1919, 2010-2019, David Prentice, Events, History, John Rowlands, Members WorkDixie Dean, Everton

Blue plaque unveiled at Dixie Dean’s primary school in Birkenhead

Legendary goalscorer's daughter and another Everton striking legend perform unveiling ceremony Everton legend Graeme Sharp, left, together with Barbara Dean, right, daughter of the club's goal-scoring legend Dixie Dean,pictured below the EFC Heritage Society plaque at Portland School in Laird Street, where the football hero first went to school in Birkenhead. Photo by James Maloney The EFC Heritage Society commissioned plaque at Co-Op Portland Academy in Laird Street, where Everton legend Dixie Dean first went to school. A blue plaque commemorating the site of the school where Everton and England legend Dixie Dean first studied has been unveiled. Dixie's daughter…

14

Dec

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, History, Interview, Steve Zocek"The New George Best"

Martin Murray: ‘The New George Best’

Martin Murray was signed by Everton from Irish club Home Farm in December of 1975 at the age of sixteen. Billy Bingham, the manager who signed him, labelled him as the new George Best. Unfortunately, Martin was unlucky with injuries and failed to make the first team. I have been fascinated with trying to find Martin for a few years, but with much homework, I managed to locate him out in Denmark. We spent time chatting about the days he spent at Goodison, which has left a lasting impression on him, as he is now an Evertonian. Martin continues to…

04

Dec

By Tony Onslow

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Articles, History, Members Work, Players, Tony Onslow

Only Once a Blue (Part 7): Alfred Vaughan

Alfred Vaughan was about eight weeks short of his 27th birthday when he made his one and only Football League appearance for Everton. He was born of Welsh parentage on 4 April 1871 in the North Wales coastal town of Rhyl. His father Edward worked as a joiner and his mother's name was Margaret. The family first lived at Windsor Stree,t before moving to Queen Street, where Margaret, assisted by her daughter, ran a confectionary business, while Alfred joined his father in the carpentry trade. He began playing amateur football locally, until in 1898 Rhyl Athletic amalgamated with Rhyl United…

27

Nov

By Tony Onslow

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1878-1889, Articles, History, Members Work, Tony Onslow

Only Once a Blue (Part 3): Godfrey William Turner

Godfrey Turner, who was almost certainly the first southerner to play for Everton Football Club, came from an eminent family background. His father, Charles, was a prominent floriculturist in Victorian England and was the lessee of the Royal Nurseries at Slough, where he employed around 100 people. He had formerly held the licence of a flower nursery at nearby Chelvey with his wife, Susannah. Godfrey, their sixth child, was born there on 26 July 1854. Godfrey was educated at Crawford School and Twickenham College, after which his movements are something of a mystery. Official FA records place him acting as umpire at…

27

Nov

By Tony Onslow

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1878-1889, Articles, History, Members Work, Players, Tony Onslow

Only Once a Blue (Part 6): Joe Marsden

Joe Marsden joined Everton from Darwen, where he was born on 11 October 1869. By 1881, he was still living with his parents, Thomas and Nancy, at 6 Sydney Street, but now employed as a half-time weaver, in the cotton industry. Marsden had fond childhood memories concerning the FA Cup exploits of his local team, and would have been proud when he joined them on their home at Barley Bank Meadow. His Darwen side began the 1886-87 campaign a with stunning 7-1 win over Heart of Midlothian, which was followed by victories over Bolton Wanderers and Chirk. Their hopes of…