Members Work

Articles and writing from Heritage Society members and contributors

The Life and Times of Bobby Parker

The Life and Times of Bobby Parker

‘Parker was a grand leader, strong, virile, earnest - as unruffled as his massive locks.’ Will Cuff - Former Everton Chairman and Secretary by Rob Sawyer Robert Norris Parker entered the world on 27 March 1891. His father, John was a mercantile clerk was married to Janet (née Ramsay), who hailed from Ireland. At the time of his birth, they were living at 73 Denmark Street in Possilpark, to the northeast of central Glasgow. This suburb saw huge population growth in the final decades of the 19th Century, linked to expansion of the Saracen foundry, the area’s major employer. At…
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The Bobby Parker Grave Restoration Appeal

The Bobby Parker Grave Restoration Appeal

Rob Sawyer To mark his contribution to Everton, football and his country, EFCHS has undertaken a project to restore the grave of league title winner Bobby Parker. Were it not for the First World War, there is every likelihood that the name Bobby Parker would be uttered in the same breath as Dixie Dean, Tommy Lawton, Fred Geary and Bob Latchford when putting forward the club’s finest goalscorers. Alas, that terrible conflict, injuries he sustained in it and subsequent illness meant that he would fail to rescale the heights of 1914/15, when his 35 goals propelled the Toffees to the…
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Leaving of Goodison

Leaving of Goodison

Goodbye To Goodison - Contributions by the Everton FC Heritage Society to the final few weeks at Goodison Incredible scenes on the final day at Goodison Park (Photo by Simon Stacpoole_OffsideOffside/Getty) The coverage of the final day at Goodison was full of nostalgia, great memories, tears and unbridled emotion. Photographs and video by broadcasters and fans alike were everywhere. We had our own members documenting the events, some of which was shared online on the day, while other media will go into the archive to be reused at a later date in future projects. The Society experienced its busiest time so…
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John Smith – Co-founder of Everton Supporters’ Club London Area (ESCLA)

John Smith – Co-founder of Everton Supporters’ Club London Area (ESCLA)

John posing in front of the famous Everton Lock Up during our 2025 event One of our visitors to the 'Everton FC in Everton' event on Saturday 17 May 2025 was John Smith, a man very well-known to fans past and present in the London area. John Collings at the 2009 FA Cup Final (photo: www.escla.org.uk) It was on a train from London to Plymouth on 25 January 1975, while on their way to watch Everton play in the FA Cup, when travelling companions John Smith and John Collings decided to form a club, or association, which would help fellow…
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Alec Farrall Remembered

Alec Farrall Remembered

[The banner photograph is the 1953/54 Everton squad. Alec Farrall is pictured on the front row seated, second from the left.] Rob Sawyer The death was announced today, at eighty-nine, of one of Everton's oldest former players, Alec Farrall. Born 3 March 1936, Alec was one of many local lads to emerge through the Blues’ youth system under Cliff Britton. A member of a sporty West Kirby family, by his teens he was representing Cheshire Schoolboys (England Schoolboys caps followed) and was on the radar of scouts from many big clubs, including Wolves, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool. The former…
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Goodison Park – Goodbye to the Grand Old Lady:  The National Museums Liverpool Podcast

Goodison Park – Goodbye to the Grand Old Lady: The National Museums Liverpool Podcast

Click image for NML Podcast webpage then scroll down for the player 'To give us a sense of Goodison's significance we spoke to a variety of people including historians, journalists, players, managers and more - all united by their shared passion for Everton Football Club and Goodison Park. They tell us what they love and will miss about this historic and iconic stadium. Ultimately we find out that for many, it is more than a stadium - it's a home from home.' - Toby Taylor, NML The Podcast features presenter Toby Taylor with Ken Rogers and Mike Royden of EFCHS,…
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‘Everton FC in Everton Day’ 2025

‘Everton FC in Everton Day’ 2025

'Everton FC in Everton Day' - 17 May 2025 As Evertonians prepared for their emotional senior final farewell to Goodison Park, the Everton district where Merseyside football history began in 1878 once again prepared to welcome Blues’ fans to their spiritual home.On Saturday 17 May between 11am and 1.30pm, the Everton FC Heritage Society, in tandem with the Friends of Everton Park (FOEP), opened the Everton Lock-Up below Browside for a very special ‘Everton FC in Everton Day.’ https://youtu.be/8O39Q3xf3dA?si=CN96I0BZHanar5Qd Click image above to play newsreel Ken Rogers at the start of his guided tour Fans were be able to step…
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Memories of Goodison Park

Memories of Goodison Park

A Film by Everton FC Heritage Society This is the latest of our Society-made films, which in this episode features a nostalgic look at the history of our great stadium. Our presenters, Ken Rogers and Rob Sawyer - who you will have met before in the 'Everton Village and the Birth of Everton Football Club' film - take us on a memorable journey, through the step-by-step development of Goodison Park from its foundation in 1892, through to the impending ground move on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey. View the full film by clicking here: https://youtu.be/xLeg70CN928 View the full…
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Dixie Dean Memorial Trophy – with award winner Derek Temple

Dixie Dean Memorial Trophy – with award winner Derek Temple

The 34th Dixie Dean Memorial Award, 12 May 2025 Mike Royden reports, David Moyes presents the 34th Dixie Dean Memorial Award to Derek Temple (photo: Tony McArdle EFC) https://youtu.be/gVGwVuSywcg?si=TFnDTOu-hK7f00k0 Click to play the short newsreel of the event (filmed and edited by Lewis Royden) David Moyes speaking at the end of the evening to Ken Rogers and Everton FC Heritage Society, reflecting on Derek Temple's life and career On 12 May 2025, Everton FC Heritage Society hosted the final public evening event at Goodison Park in the Alex Young Suite. Members, guests, and fans, were there to honour club legend…
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