Members Work

Articles and writing from Heritage Society members and contributors

Joseph Davies, the Welsh International from Shropshire

Joseph Davies, the Welsh International from Shropshire. The picture above shows the last resting place of Joseph Davies who played for Everton during the season that they became founder members of the Football League. He was born on 27 June 1869 at St Martins in north west Shropshire and baptised at Preesgwyn Methodist Chapel. He was the son of Stephen Davies, a blacksmith at the local coal mine, and his wife Harriet. Both of them had been born in St Martins. The 1881 census finds the family living at Chirk Bank Row in Weston Rhyn where Joseph, along with his…
Read More

Andrew Gibson, The Blue from Dalmellington

Although destined never to play a Football League match for the club, Andrew Gibson played a leading role in the years leading up to Everton becoming founder members of the new organisation.  He had been at the club for two seasons when the above picture was taken and he had travelled a somewhat round about route to reach the town where he would spend the rest of his days. Andrew Gibson was born on 31 January 1864, at 3 High Main Street of the Ayrshire market town of Dalmellington. His father and grandfather, both named Alexander, belonged to the Ancient…
Read More

Here We Go

  ‘It is a great read and a great present for the Blue in your life’ --- When Skies are Grey ‘It’s a rich read that beautifully sums up all that was good – and bad – about football, and life on Merseyside in the 1980s’ --- The New Zealand Herald ‘This book is very, very, very good’ --- Rob Smyth, The Guardian For Everton FC, the 1980s were the most successful decade in the club’s history. It was a time when Wembley became a second home for Howard Kendall’s band of brothers as they stepped out from Liverpool’s long…
Read More

Everton Proud

'Dr Everton is more than a football fan. 'Everton Proud' - also known as Everton Crazy - is more than a football book. Both are truly inspirational.' Alex Young 'There's obsession, then there's David France's love for Everton. This autobiography is the fascinating tale of a Blue who struggled to read until his teens yet became not only a hugely successful US Businessman but an an innovator and philanthropist who deserves our everlasting gratitude.' Andy Hunter, the Guardian 'After reading this terrific book, I realise that mine isn't the only life he has changed.' Tony Kay 'The titles of David France's books contain…
Read More

Everton: The Official Complete Record

Everton: The Official Complete Record is the definitive account of one of Europe's most distinguished clubs. With nine league titles, five FA Cups and a rich club lore that boasts names such as Dixie Dean, Alex Young, Alan Ball and more recent heroes like Tim Cahill and Romelu Lukaku, theirs is a history replete with success and high drama. Boasting one of the most passionate and knowledgeable sets of fans, Everton are justifiably known as 'The People s Club'. Nearly 140 years after Everton's humble birth as a church team, Steve Johnson has painstakingly trawled through the archives to provide…
Read More

Thank God for Football

  The original Thank God for Football! was published to great acclaim in 2006. This new edition, with abbreviated text, contains almost 120 illustrations. It gathers together a huge number of rare images of founders, founding churches and early teams. It includes contemporary photographs of streets where players lived, pubs in which they socialized and churches where they gathered. Furthermore, it offers images reflecting the impact of Thank God for Football! the restoration of founders' graves, the inducting of Christian founders into Halls of Fame, and features in match programmes and club magazines. Aston Villa Barnsley Birmingham City Bolton Wanderers…
Read More
The Holy Trinity of Our Forefathers Part III:  Dr James Clement Baxter

The Holy Trinity of Our Forefathers Part III: Dr James Clement Baxter

  Previously there has been a concerted effort by the Everton FC Shareholders Association, and particularly by one fellow Evertonian, Paul Wharton, to endorse our song And if you know your history. Paul has been dubbed the Everton Sherlock Holmes. He has been driven to find out the true story behind our clubs formation and the founder fathers who delivered to us this fantastic club. When I read about our club's past it really does make your heart go whoohhoo! It is now generally accepted that the following gentleman were the driving force in forming and making Everton; Ben Swift…
Read More
A Fascinating Insight into Will Cuff

A Fascinating Insight into Will Cuff

Arriving through the double doors of The People's Club Lounge at Goodison Park, I was greeted by the ever-friendly face of David Starsky. It's always great seeing David. I do enjoy his zest for life. We were present for the rather special occasion that was the unveiling of a quite amazing piece of artwork by Chris Wilson, this being an exceptional, life-like portrait of Mr Everton,  a man whose achievements are difficult to be tailored into words... one Will Cuff. As ever with such events organized by the Everton Heritage Society, and in particular Paul Wharton, the evening was informative,…
Read More

Everton: League Champions – a Review of the 1986/87 Season

Everton started off the new campaign licking their wounds after conceding the league and FA Cup double to their rivals Liverpool the previous season. In came new signings Dave Watson who became Everton's record signing for £1m, also Paul Power, Kevin Langley and Neil Adams. Out went Gary Lineker as he left to join his new manager Terry Venables at Barcelona. Everton started their campaign where they had become accustomed by playing at their 'second home' Wembley, in the charity shield against Liverpool. Like so many times before, the name of Ian Rush cursed Everton as he cancelled out Adrian…
Read More

The Life of Ken Birch

  Kenny Birch, who played forty-five times for the Blues in the 1950s, passed away on 24 April 2015 after a long and brave battle with illness. Born in Birkenhead, he joined Everton as a junior and made his debut in April 1956 in a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United, alongside the likes of TE Jones, Peter Farrell, Tommy Eglington and Jimmy Harris. The following season he played thirty times in League and FA Cup, scoring his one and only goal for the Club in a 4-2 victory at Maine Road against Manchester City, finding a way past the legendary…
Read More