Latest – Page 8 – Everton FC Heritage Society

19

Jan

2 Comments

1878-1889, 1890-1899, Articles, Latest, Players, Rob Sawyer

Johnny Holt – Everton’s Little Devil

Rob Sawyer "The undisputed king of centre-halves – a living object lesson of the superiority of brain over muscle." (Contemporary newspaper description of Johnny Holt) Time passes, and with it go first-hand memories of footballers who bestowed greatness on Everton. T.G. Jones is widely cited as the club’s finest centre-half, with the next generation of fans also holding Brian Labone in the highest of esteem. But let us not overlook Johnny Holt, the Little Devil – without equal in his era in the art of defending, and a bedrock of the First Kings of Anfield. John Holt entered this world…

Son of My Father (Part 16): Robert and Konrad Warzycha

12

Jan

By Steve Zocek

0 Comments

1990-1999, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

Son of My Father (Part 16): Robert and Konrad Warzycha

Robert Warzycha Robert Warzycha was born in Siemkowice, Poland, and kick-started his football career in the mining village of Gornik (which stands for miners). He played first for Gornik Wałbrzych, after signing from Warta Sieradz, along with Zbigniew Malachowski from Welna Rogozno, who made their debuts in the spring of 1986. He appeared thirty-one times, scoring five goals from the right-hand side of midfield. He then went on to sign for Gornik Zabrze where his career flourished, making ninety-one appearances, scoring ten goals in a four-year period. Robert’s performances were catching the eye of clubs in England, where he felt…

18

Nov

By Mike Royden

0 Comments

1930-1939, 1940-1949, Articles, History, Latest, Members Work, Mike Royden, Players

Ted Sagar – ‘The Boss’

When talking of great centre forwards, it is easy to rattle off numerous contenders, but when thinking of goalkeepers, just three tend to dominate the discussion. Gordon West, a brilliant keeper and a larger than life character off the pitch; then Neville of course, who achieved so much in his seventeen years, making 578 league appearances (750 in all competitions) and breaking so many records along the way. Until 1994, the record for a goalkeeper stood at 497(463 league games), and was held by a man that my father never tired of telling me about - Ted Sagar. Ted joined…

10

Oct

By Richie Gillham

1 Comment

1920-1929, 1930-1939, Articles, History, Latest, Members Work, Players, Richard Gillham

Teddy Glover

The first British Everton player to be inducted into the USA Soccer Hall of Fame in 1965 Charles Edward Glover, known as Teddy, was born in Bootle on 7 April 1902. Teddy would eventually be inducted into the US National Hall of Fame in 1965 — the first of four players to have been on Everton's books to achieve this honour, the others being: Predrag “Preki” Radosavljevic, 2010; Joe Max Moore in 2013 and Brian McBride in 2014. Predrag Preki Radosavljevic in 2010 Sam Chedgzoy Joe Max-Moore in 2013 Brian McBride in 2014 The first time Teddy pulled on an…

Billy and Bob: The Fabulous Balmer Brothers

13

Mar

By Rob Sawyer

0 Comments

1900-1909, 1910-1919, 1920-1929, 1930-1939, 1940-1949, Articles, History, Latest, Members Work, Players, Rob Sawyer

Billy and Bob: The Fabulous Balmer Brothers

Billy and Bob: The Fabulous Balmer Brothers By Rob Sawyer William and Robert Balmer formed a fearsome, and fruitful, fraternal partnership in Everton’s back-line in the early years of the 20th Century. William’s selection for national team duty would also make him the club’s first Scouse England cap. They were the sons of James (a carpenter and joiner) and Martha. William Atherton was born on 29 July 1875 whilst Robert followed on 28 November 1881. The pair - better known and Billy and Bob - grew-up alongside their siblings John (b. 1874) and Mary (b. 1877) at the family home…

30

Jan

By Steve Zocek

1 Comment

1980-1989, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

Once a Blue – Steve Bateman

In the matchday programme during the 1983/84 season, there was a Q & A featuring the players. I came across the one with Mark Higgins, who was asked to recommend a player for the future. ‘Steve Bateman’ was his reply. Steve was the captain of the Everton FA Youth Cup side that lost the final to Norwich City in the 1982/83 season, 6-5 on aggregate. Whatever happened to Steve? As always, I dug deep to satisfy my fascination, intrigued to find out what happened to hhim after Everton. Enjoy. Steve originated from down south at Berkhamsted. At the age of…

Any Dream Will Do: Don Donovan – (Son of my Father Part 13)

24

Jan

By Steve Zocek

0 Comments

1950-1959, 1970-1979, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

Any Dream Will Do: Don Donovan – (Son of my Father Part 13)

Don Donovan arrived in England from Cork, the second largest city in Ireland located in the south west of the country, an area which also produced Roy Keane. Don played junior football for Maymount Rovers then Dalymount Rovers, where he was spotted by an Everton representative whilst the club was on a pre-season tour. Don was invited to cross the Irish Sea in 1949, just after the war, leaving his close family and moving to new surroundings in Liverpool, only to be welcomed by a fellow countryman, Tommy Eglinton. Tommy later became the godfather of Don’s son, Terry. Other members…

10

Oct

By Steve Zocek

1 Comment

1970-1979, Articles, Latest, Managers, Steve Zocek

Gordon Lee – a Life in Football

Steve Zocek Everton F.C. manager Gordon Lee, c.1977 Gordon Lee's family roots were in the Midlands; a small place called Cannock in the county of Staffordshire. As a youngster, Gordon was a keen footballer and could also play cricket. When he was given the opportunity, Gordon chose to play football playing in a wing half/inside forward role. As a young man, he joined his local team, Hednesford Town, who were known as The Pitmen. They played in the Northern Division of the Birmingham and District League. His enthusiasm for the game earned him a nickname of Onka which means 'unstoppable.'…

James T Gibb – the first Irishman to score for Everton?

13

May

By Tony Onslow

0 Comments

1878-1889, Articles, Latest, Players, Tony Onslow

James T Gibb – the first Irishman to score for Everton?

Official Football League records, started September 1888, appear to indicate that Wexford born Jack Kirwen was the first Irishman to score a goal for Everton. However, on closer examination, this feat had in fact been achieved some twenty years earlier when they had first crossed the sea to play a game on the Emerald Isle. The player to do so was an Irish International from Belfast. James Turnbull Gibb was born on 15 August 1861 to Alexander and Mary nee Turnbull. He was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institute where he distinguished himself on the Rugby field. On completing…

Goodison Park – The New Home of Everton (1892)

08

May

By Rob Sawyer

0 Comments

1890-1899, Articles, Billy Smith, Goodison, History, Latest, Members Work, Rob Sawyer

Goodison Park – The New Home of Everton (1892)

Billy Smith has been a royal blue bloodhound for many years, sniffing out historic articles about our beloved club in microfilm archives across the region. These nuggets are posted on his excellent Blue Correspondent website (bluecorrespondent.co.uk). Working chronologically, he has reached the 1962/63 season but Billy continues locate and transcribe previously hidden gems from earlier eras. One vein of high-quality content mined by Billy is Athletic News (The Athletic News and Cyclists' Journal, to give it its full title). This Manchester-based weekly newspaper, which ran from 1875 to 1931 was a keen proponent of Association Football in its early decades. Mere Green…