Mike Royden

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…
Read More
Colin Green: The Brymbo Boy and Everton full-back – in conversation with Rob Sawyer

Colin Green: The Brymbo Boy and Everton full-back – in conversation with Rob Sawyer

In 2024, Rob Sawyer of EFCHS met with former Welsh international Colin Green in his Wrexham home. Signed by Everton as a schoolboy in 1957, Colin made his first team debut in September 1960, going on to play eighteen times for the Blues, before making 183 appearances for Birmingham. Now eighty-two years old, a fascinating time was spent in the company of Colin, learning about his life in football, most especially his time at Everton between 1957 and 1962. https://youtu.be/0ues-4XqkcE ............................................................................. Gallery Everton FC squad 1959/60 pictured on the Park End/Bullens Road training ground. Colin Green in on the back…
Read More
The Mighty George Farmer – new release!

The Mighty George Farmer – new release!

'Hey Now Georgie' A great new single release is 'Hey Now Georgie' by Liverpool band The Mighty George Farmer. https://youtu.be/KZSlq-N6Vc4?si=jtz_zQTaR5lAzm4x The song - and the name of the band - is inspired by George Farmer, one of the Toffees' first true stars, and the club's first ever professional player in 1885. We are honoured to say that Everton FC Heritage Society played a key part in the research and in the production of the video. The Research Jamie Yates carried out an incredible amount of research to put the story of George's life together. He also led the project to…
Read More
George Farmer Grave Rededication – Photo Gallery

George Farmer Grave Rededication – Photo Gallery

Anfield Cemetery - 23 March 2024 (photos by Rob Sawyer / Mike Royden / Lewis Royden) Family and guests begin to arrive Jamie Yates opens the proceedings The headstone unveiling by Annette Kerry and Richard Edwards, two of George’s great grandchildren Mike Isherwood (Deputy Mayor of Oswestry and Everton fan) says a few words on George Farmer's Welsh links and family ties to Oswestry 'Don't Go Gently into that Good Night' by Dylan Thomas, read by Laura-Beth Murray, great-great-grandaughter of George Farmer Prayer of Thanksgiving, Rededication of Grave and Blessing, by Reverend Henry Corbett, Chaplain to Everton Football Club The…
Read More
Dixie Dean Memorial Trophy – with award winner Séamus Coleman

Dixie Dean Memorial Trophy – with award winner Séamus Coleman

Our full report of the event, together with a short video, filmed and edited by Lewis Royden: https://youtu.be/jp0cJDk5PyM Séamus’s Big Night Rob Sawyer It was a night of celebration, cheers and even a few tears shed as Everton FC Heritage Society’s Séamus Coleman tribute evening was held at the People’s Lounge, Goodison Park on 16 February 2024. The Toffees’ talismanic, long-serving skipper was the 32nd recipient of the illustrious Dixie Dean Memorial Award. Compere Ken Rogers (Chairman of Everton FC Heritage Society) At 7:30pm, the familiar strains of the theme from Z-Cars filled the room and compere Ken Rogers introduced…
Read More
An Everton Memorabilia Special with Brendan Connolly

An Everton Memorabilia Special with Brendan Connolly

An Everton FC Heritage Society video special Rob Sawyer joins Brendan Connolly of Everton FC Heritage Society to chat about a selection of items from his stunning memorabilia collection. Featuring treasures from as early as 1882, the items discussed feature cup winners medals, international caps, and the probable first known useage of Everton's famous lock-up crest. Plus, a shirt belonging to the great Jimmy Dunn - Everton's 1933 FA Cup winning goalscorer and teammate of Dixie Dean. Please click to view the full film (- and please subscibe to our YouTube channel); https://youtu.be/IYf37yN_zDI . Brendan Connolly Brendan is well-known to…
Read More
Jimmy Husband – An Appreciation

Jimmy Husband – An Appreciation

Jimmy Husband (15 October 1947 – 9 March 2024) An Appreciation The sad news of the death of Jimmy Husband comes just weeks after the passing of John Hurst, his teammate in the 1965 FA Youth Cup-winning side and the legendary championship-winning team of 1969/70. Harry Catterick spread the net wide in his search for the best young talent in the 1960s, and was hot on the trail of a precocious attacking talent from Newcastle, who had England schoolboy honours, by the name of James Husband. But Everton were not the only side keen to get the teenager’s signature. Jimmy,…
Read More
Tribute to John Hurst

Tribute to John Hurst

John Hurst John Hurst, one of the club’s most cultured centre-backs (and the previous Dixie Dean Memorial Award recipient) passed away recently, so it was fitting that his wife and daughters were present at our Dixie Dean Memorial Award evening as special guests. They joined other audience members in watching a moving video presentation, which captured the essence of this fine footballer and lovely man, who epitomised all that is great about Everton. Rob Sawyer then shared tributes from Joe Royle and Colin Harvey to their friend and former teammate, before asking Derek Temple to join him onstage to speak…
Read More
Pat Nevin – ‘Football and How to Survive it’

Pat Nevin – ‘Football and How to Survive it’

Pat Nevin interviewed by Everton FC Heritage Society in St Luke’s Before the Bournemouth home fixture on 7 October 2023, former Everton star winger Pat Nevin made a visit to St Luke’s to meet fans with copies of his latest book ‘Football and How to Survive it.’ Rob Sawyer and Lewis Royden of the EFCHS Media Team met up with Pat before his book signing session, to talk about his career and his new book. Pat Nevin with media team; Lewis Royden (left) and Rob Sawyer (right) Photos by Sarah Deboe (EFCHS / MintCollective) and Rob Sawyer Click for Amazon linkClick for Amazon link
Read More
Remembrance at Goodison Park 2023

Remembrance at Goodison Park 2023

Armistice Day Service, The Fallen of Everton FC Memorial, Goodison Park [This year, due to the away fixture at Crystal Palace on 11 November, the Armistice Day service was pulled forward to 9 November 2023]. Many thanks are due again to Paul Kelly (right) of Everton FC Heritage Society (supported as ever by his wife Jean), in organising the service, despite a period of very poor health – this is an event they have now organised with dedication for a decade. . Click to open PDF leaflet The service was conducted by the Reverend Henry Corbett, Chaplain to Everton Football…
Read More