Mike Royden

The Legacy of ‘Dr Everton’ – Dr David France OBE and Everton FC

The Legacy of ‘Dr Everton’ – Dr David France OBE and Everton FC

We present here a series of nine programmes; two films, an Everton Heritage Show guest appearance, and a six-part feature on Everton in the Sixties. All are filmed with the founder of Everton FC Heritage Society, Dr David France OBE, or 'Dr Everton' as he is known to many Blues' fans. The films cover much of Dr France's life as an Everton fan, from his boyhood growing up in tough circumstances in Widnes, to his move to the United States and his successful time in the oil industry. All the while he remained a passionate Blue, and travelled two million…
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‘Wear, Frame, Bin’ – Lewis Royden on ToffeeTV

‘Wear, Frame, Bin’ – Lewis Royden on ToffeeTV

Lewis Royden of Everton FC Heritage Society appeared on the channel chatting to Ped (Peter McPartland) on their Wear, Frame, Bin programme, while also talking about the work of the Society, and the history of many of the shirts going back as far as St Domingo's! https://youtu.be/CIErI84lIF0?si=el3kF8bjAT3k3nal ToffeeTV description; Lewis Royden joins Toffee TV to analyse various football kits through the lens of Everton's rich history. The discussion explores iconic designs from different eras, evaluating both modern replicas and historic jerseys based on their aesthetic details, cultural significance, and the personal criteria used to decide whether a shirt belongs in…
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An Evening of Two Halves with Jamie Yates and Peter Lupson

An Evening of Two Halves with Jamie Yates and Peter Lupson

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Royden For the fifth event in the Spring 2026 series of Everton FC Heritage Society social/talk evenings, we were graced with the presence of two separate speakers during a night of two halves. (photo: Lewis Royden) First up was Peter Lupson, a former teacher, and a founder member of The Everton FC Heritage Society, who was present at the inaugural meeting back in 2008. Peter is also a former vice-chair of the society. He has authored several books (including school texts), such as Thank God For Football, and Across the Park. Peter took us through a fascinating journey…
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‘Everton FC in Everton Day’ – 9 May 2026 – Noon-2pm

‘Everton FC in Everton Day’ – 9 May 2026 – Noon-2pm

On Saturday 9 May between Noon and 2pm, the Everton FC Heritage Society, in tandem with the Friends of Everton Park (FOEP), once again opened up the Everton Lock-Up below Browside, for a special ‘Everton FC in Everton Day.’ https://youtu.be/mK9MLE-oCEU?si=1WbJL3NILL4xVh6k Video filmed by Rob Sawyer and edited by Lewis Royden Rob Sawyer, who was one of Everton FC Heritage Society's representatives on the day, reports on the event; A Report on the ‘Everton FC in Everton Day’ 2026 Rob Sawyer Although Everton FC, and its previous incarnation as St Domingo chapel football team, has never played football in the Everton…
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This Prince of Goalkeepers – Lance Corporal Leigh Richmond Roose MM

This Prince of Goalkeepers – Lance Corporal Leigh Richmond Roose MM

A great deal of research has been carried out by a number of members since the founding of the society, into players on Everton FC books who fell in both wars. This research has also been extended to include the Everton clubs of Chile and New Zealand. In addition, there has also been an ongoing project to research those who had served, but had survived, and in many cases were deeply affected by the conflict, who were never the same again, being affected both physically and mentally. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ The Fallen of Everton FC on Film Our series of films about the…
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Mapping the Lock Up and the History of the Everton Crest

Mapping the Lock Up and the History of the Everton Crest

Mike Royden Entering into the Park End Captain's Table at Goodison Park minutes after the annual Remembrance memorial, attendees were keen to gather a hot drink and sit down for a moment's respite after escaping from the bitterly cold weather. Paul Walsh While chatting to fellow Heritage Society members, we were approached by Paul Walsh, a life-long Blue, volunteer with the 1878s, and a fan of the work carried out by the Society. He had in his hand a map he had recently acquired, and very kindly wished to donate it to the Society so that something could be made…
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In Search of Priory Road 1883-84

In Search of Priory Road 1883-84

In Search of Priory Road Commencing to write this article on the day that government approval was granted for the Bramley-Moore Stadium, social media was awash with good wishes to all those concerned in successfully seeing the project through. There were the inevitable online exchanges, with a great many from the envious dark side, who could see they were now visibly condemned to spend yet another generation in their Big Stand with little chance of expansion, a move, or even a laughable ground-share. Meanwhile, many commented online that this would be Everton’s third stadium build in the city.  (pic: Liverpool…
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The Story of Bellefield

The Story of Bellefield

From its Early Nineteenth Century Origin to a Seventy Year Association with Everton FC Mike Royden When Everton finally left Bellefield for the last time on 9 October 2007, it brought to an end an eight-decade association with the training complex which commenced in the 1930s. Previously, the senior side had utilised a variety of grounds, including Stanley Park and Walton Stiles, but from the turn of the century, training was centred on the Goodison pitch and the adjacent training ground behind the Park End stand. But how did the club come to use Bellefield and what was the estate…
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‘The Accidental Footballer – An Entertaining Evening with Pat Nevin’

‘The Accidental Footballer – An Entertaining Evening with Pat Nevin’

Rob Sawyer . Pat Nevin with presenter Rob Sawyer Rivalling Bruce Springsteen for endurance on stage, Pat Nevin delivered two-and-a-half hours of scintillating insights and reminiscences at second of the Everton FC Heritage Society’s run of social/talk evenings, held at the Denbigh Castle. The popular city centre pub's function room was packed to the rafters with supporters keen to see the former Everton footballer, Motherwell FC CEO, broadcaster, and culture connoisseur. He did not disappoint. Requiring only minimal prompting from host Rob Sawyer, the Glaswegian delivered a seamless series of brilliant anecdotes - often hilarious, sometimes poignant - from his…
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George and Annie Jane Goodison

George and Annie Jane Goodison

Towards the Foundation of a Stadium, and how Classical Egypt came to Waterloo Mike Royden The name ‘Goodison Park’ has always had a touch of class about it, but it so easily could have been called ‘Mere Green’ or possibly ‘Walton Stiles’:  Mere Green being the land leased (and later purchased) for the new Everton FC stadium, and Walton Stiles being the ancient footpath that once ran from the Walton Church area, approximately along what is now Goodison Road, down Spellow Lane and on to County Road.   But where did the name originate, and how did it become the name…
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