History – Page 7 – Everton FC Heritage Society

01

Jan

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1970-1979, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve ZocekCoventry City, Everton FC, Wigan Athletic

Son of my Father – Part 7

THE KINGDOM OF RIOCH by Steve Zocek Some of you may be wondering why I’ve given this article the title of ‘The Kingdom of Rioch’? Well, Rioch means kingdom which comes from Irish origin. So, that’s the formalities out of the way. Bruce Rioch joined Everton in December 1976, making his Everton debut at Coventry City’s Highfield Road in a 4-2 defeat. Bruce appeared 30 times in an Everton shirt hitting the net 3 times. He had a thunderous shot, and was always favourite to take the direct free kicks when a goal seemed possible. Bruce played for a total…

19

Dec

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve Zocek

‘Son of my Father’ Part IV: James Wood

George Wood was signed for Everton in August 1977 by manager Gordon Lee. George soon became a “darling” of the Evertonians, making 126 appearances for the Toffees before joining Arsenal in August 1980. George also represented Scotland, and once told me he was the one who launched Diego Maradona’s career as the Argentinian scored his first international goal against him. Maradona scored his first international goal in the fixture after beating George Wood courtesy of SNS Group This feature is a little different to the previous ones as it features George’s son, James, who followed in his father’s footsteps wearing…

Gerry Mullan – When Irish Eyes are Smiling

21

Nov

By Steve Zocek

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1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Steve ZocekBallymena, Everton, Gerry Mullin, Glentoran, Northern Ireland

Gerry Mullan – When Irish Eyes are Smiling

Gerry Mullan signed for Everton from Ballymena United in October 1980. To date he was the most expensive Irish league player at £30,000. Gerry failed to make a first team appearance for the Toffees but gained 4 caps for his country-Norther Ireland. Gerry is quite a private man, but was very helpful in assisting me with an insight to his time at Everton. Gerry Middle row 2nd from the left SIGNING FOR EVERTON "After 4 reasonably good seasons at Ballymena, I trained really hard in my fifth season, trying to push myself to the limit. As well as Everton, a…

31

Oct

By Tony Onslow

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1878-1889, Articles, History, Members Work, Players, Tony OnslowCrewe Alexandra, Manchester City, Wales

Lewis the Fireman

When the Liverpool & District FA was formed in 1882, the officials turned for guidance to their more knowledgeable counterparts in North Wales, whose organisation had been formed some four years earlier. The members of the Everton executive thereafter, would make incursions into the Principality in search of experienced players they hoped would improve the standard of play at Anfield. One such man who caught their attention was William Lewis. Born in 1864 in Bangor, he was the third son of Edward, a stonemason, and his wife Margaret. The family home was at 72 Hill Street. According to the 1881 census, Billy had followed the male members of the family into the stonemason trade and had begun playing the association game with his local side Bangor. On 4 February 1884, Willie Lewis represented the North Wales FA against their counterparts from Liverpool, on what was the recently opened Bootle cricket enclosure on Hawthorne Road. He scored one of the goals as the game ended…

Edward Turner, the carpenter from Lancaster

10

Oct

By Tony Onslow

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

Edward Turner, the carpenter from Lancaster

Renowned for its mint cake and grey limestone buildings, the former Westmorland county town of Kendal – now part of Cumbria – was the location at which an Everton talent scout discovered a defender by the name of Edward Turner. Born 24 February 1874 in Lancaster, he was the second child of John, a cotton spinner, and his wife Mary. The 1881 census records the family living on Rigg Lane, but by 1891 they had moved to Penfold Lane where Edward had begun to learn the carpentry trade. Around this time his name briefly appeared in the press while playing…

Richard Duckenfield – ‘Get off the Pitch!’

08

Oct

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, Articles, History, Interview, Steve Zocek

Richard Duckenfield – ‘Get off the Pitch!’

October 28th 1978 is a date etched in many an Evertonians mind. John Motson commentating that day for the evening football show ‘Match of the Day’ cries out, “The ball falls to Andy King, oh yes he’s got it, Andy King has scored” When the final whistle sounded at 4.45 Richard Duckenfield a BBC reporter waits on the pitch side to grab a few words with the hero of the afternoon. Before the conversation could commence, a Police Superintendent rudely pushes Duckenfield and King away from the pitch with an order “Get off the pitch” 42 years on I caught up with Richard to find out about the moment which has…

23

Sep

By Tony Onslow

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

Only Once a Blue; Humphrey Jones

Once a major force in Scottish football, the Vale of Leven club are based in the small Dunbartonshire town of Alexandria. Originally formed in 1872, they were the first team to take away the Scottish FA Cup from the famous Queens Park club of Glasgow, when they won the trophy three times on the run, between 1877 and 1879. In 1890, then founder members of the Scottish League, the Scots made their first visit to Liverpool where a certain Humphrey Jones made his only appearance for Everton. He was born on 17 December 1863, at Summerhill Terrace in the North Wales town of Bangor and was the fifth child born to Humphrey, a successful builder, and his wife Jane. Privately educated, he first attended the local Friars School…

19

Sep

By Steve Zocek

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1960-1969, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve Zocek

Barry Rees: A Blue from Rhyl

Barry Rees was a bright young lad who originated from Rhyl in North Wales. An excellent footballer from an early age, he caught the eye of an Everton scout. Having represented his county of Flintshire, he eventually made the grade as a professional footballer. Barry impressed his manager sufficiently to feature in four first team games, netting twice, before being sold to Brighton and Hove Albion. Barry died in tragic circumstances at the age of 21 and I am indebted to Barry’s brother Geraint for sharing Barry’s all too short career with me. Barry was a bit of a home boy and he was forever coming back to Rhyl and staying at home, which manager Harry Catterick didn’t like, preferring his players to stay local…

08

Sep

By Tony Onslow

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

Richard Williams, an Everton goalkeeper

Predating the renowned Port Sunlight model village by some twenty-five years, Bromborough Pool was built to house the workforce by William Wilson, the philanthropic owner who conducted the affairs of Price's Candle factory. It was also the birthplace of former Everton goalkeeper, Richard Williams. Born 17 April 1866, he was the third child of Richard, a general labourer, and his wife, Margaret. After being educated at the village school, the 1881 census showed that young Richard had started employment in the soap factory where he met Sarah Jane Brocklebank who he married in 1889. 1881 Census - Richard Williams, soap packer at Prices Candle Factory He had started his football career playing as a full back for Bromborough Pool but eventually established himself in the position of goalkeeper. The club were members of both the Wirral and…

07

Sep

By Rob Sawyer

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1890-1899, Articles, History, Members Work, Rob Sawyer

Jack Earp – The Gentleman Amateur

Martin John “Jack” Earp’s Everton appearances only just made it into double-figures yet his tale is worth telling. Born into a Nottingham printing family on 6 September 1872; his early footballing experience was with small teams in England’s lace capital. He went on to represent Nottingham Forest as a 'gentleman amateur', signing on in September 1889 and debuting in January 1890 in an East Midlands derby against, naturally, Derby. He was also selected for the famous Corinthians when only 17 years-old. Jack’s elder brother Fred would also represent Forest and later become the club’s secretary manager (1909-1912). In January 1891,…