Players

Bob Latchford’s 30 goal season

Bob Latchford’s 30 goal season

"Bobby Latchford walks on water", echoed the cry from the Goodison terraces as they idolised their Everton number nine. Everton were renowned for their famous number nines and Bob was no different. The Daily Express newspaper decided to offer a prize of £10,000 for a player to hit the back of the net thirty times in the 1977/78 season. The last time this feat had been achieved was back in 1972 when Francis Lee hit thirty three goals for Manchester City. Manager Billy Bingham signed Bob in 1974, for what was then a massive record signing fee of £350,000, with…
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Dixie Dean’s most cherished medal is coming home to Goodison Park

Dixie Dean’s most cherished medal is coming home to Goodison Park

Dixie Dean's most cherished medal comes home to Goodison Park The 1927/28 League Championship medal presented to Dixie Dean will be back at Goodison Park on eve of anniversary   One of the most cherished medals in Everton’s history is coming home. The League Championship medal presented to Dixie Dean after his record-breaking 60-goal season in 1927-28 will be back at Goodison Park - on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the legendary And fans are being invited to see it at a special celebration event. Saturday May 5, when Everton entertain Southampton, will be the 90th anniversary of…
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Harry Grundy An Everton Winger

When Elizabeth Bradley moved to work in Liverpool from Chirk, she caught the eye of William Grundy, then working as a groom. They were married in 1870, at the Welsh Chapel dedicated to St David on Brownlow Hill. The couple settled at 4 Moorside in Neston where the head of the household worked as a Coachman. It was here, on 15 March 1883, that their sixth child Thomas Henry was born. He became known affectionately as Harry. The 1891 census found the family living at 25 Parkgate Road where William had become the clerk at the local parish church of…
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The Tale of a Former Everton Full-Back

The Tale of a Former Everton Full-Back

George Molyneux was on the books of Southampton when he was selected for England against Scotland, and thus became the first Liverpool-born man to do so, having previously played football for Everton. The 1881 census revealed that George, then six years old, was living with his parents at 29 Sessions Road in the Kirkdale area of the city. The 1901 census showed that the family had moved to nearby Croyland Street and that George, now fifteen, had begun serving an apprenticeship as a plumber. It was around three years later that his name started to appear in the local sporting…
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Charlie Gee: Stockport, Everton and England

Charlie Gee: Stockport, Everton and England

Charlie Gee’s story is one of a remarkable rise from Stockport church football to Everton and  England honours.  In three consecutive seasons he played Third, Second and First Division football – culminating in a 1932 league championship medal. Charlie also holds the key to the Everton career of one of the most important men in the Toffees’ illustrious history – Harry Catterick. Charles William Gee was born on 6 April 1909 in the Reddish district of Stockport. He was one of eight children born to Edward and Jane Gee. Edward was a sweet shop owner who, as a side-line, also…
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Nat, King of Goals…and Bowls

As with many players at Goodison in the 1930s, Jimmy “Nat” Cunliffe’s achievements are overshadowed by the Everton giant that is W.R. Dean. Yet his life in sport was a remarkable one. Plucked from non-league football Jimmy went on to win international honours. Not content with this, he subsequently embarked on enjoy a highly successful career in another sporting arena. Born James Cunliffe on 5 July 1912 to Mary and Peter (a coal miner), Jimmy grew up in Blackrod – a small settlement close to the current location of Bolton Wanderers’ stadium. Upon leaving school he started an apprenticeship as…
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Neville Southall – The Winding Road from Winsford to Goodison

A version of this article was previously published in When Skies Are Grey, the digital Everton Fanzine. George Rooney was a boyhood Blue, growing up off Mere Lane and, later on, in Knowsley. The full-back represented Liverpool Schoolboys and joined Everton as an apprentice in 1962. Coming through the ranks with him at Goodison had been the likes of Gerry Glover, John Hurst, Tommy Wright, Jimmy Husband and Aiden Maher.Released by Everton after two years George joined Coventry City under Jimmy Hill but promptly suffered a broken leg. Laid up back home on Merseyside, George was lent Jimmy Husband’s extensive Buddy…
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Charlie Leyfield – Everton, Wales and England

Charlie Leyfield – Everton, Wales and England

Charlie Leyfield had a long association with Everton as a player and trainer. He also can claim the unique distinction of being trainer to both the England and Wales national teams. Charlie was born on 30 October 1911, just south of the River Dee in Chester, the eldest of seven children. Attending Handbridge's St Mary's School, he excelled at football — initially as a centre-half and inside-forward but later as a fast, direct winger capable of going down the outside or cutting in. This led to selection for Chester Schoolboys representative team at the age of 13. Promoted to captain…
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Toffeeweb book list

Everton Books If the abundance of the Internet still leaves feeling a little empty, perhaps you crave the comfort of a good book... a book about Everton Football Club?  Or players Past and Present?  The titles below provide links to more detailed descriptions and reviews, if available. Also, visit our Links to Internet Bookshops   THE TOFFEEWEB BOOK LIST In Search of Duncan Ferguson � Alan Pattullo, 2014 The Smell of Football – Mick 'Baz' Rathbone , 2011 Joe Mercer, OBE: Football with a Smile – Gary James, 2010   Everton: The Official Complete Record – Steve Johnson, 2010 Bilan Saison Par…
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The Lost Professional of Everton FC

It has now been a long-accepted fact that George Dobson and George Farmer were the first two players to be employed as professional footballers by Everton Football Club. However, it is quite possible to believe that the same terms offered to these two players might well have extended to a third man. His name was Job Wilding and he came from Wrexham. Job Wilding (far left) Both Dobson and Farmer first came to Liverpool during Easter of 1885 and, having had a trial period with Everton, were invited to return to the club the following season. Dobson returned alone and…
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