by Ken Rogers (Chairman of Everton FC Heritage Society and Trustee of Friends Of Everton Park)
An ‘Everton FC in Everton’ Day will unfold this Saturday, 29 June (11am to 1pm) at the historic Lock-Up Tower featured on our club crest. This is a free event, jointly organised by the Official Everton FC Heritage Society and the Friends of Everton Park.
The ‘Lock-Up’ below Browside on Netherfield Road South is rarely open, but supporters will be able to gain a special candlelight glimpse inside this historic 1787 structure and discover how another Everton district tower initially rivalled it as the potential central point on our badge.
Of course, what became the nationally famous Everton Toffee Shop with its own folklore once stood just yards away on a small triangular piece of greenery that continues to hold a special place in Evertonian hearts.
One of our most famous battle hymns is the classic ‘If You Know Your History’ and the Heritage Society recognises the importance of bringing together the Goodison faithful as the countdown continues towards the start of what will undoubtedly be an emotional and eventful final campaign at our spiritual home.
Fans will be invited to take the short 30 yards walk into Village Street to discover the birthplace of big time football on Merseyside, gathering on the exact spot where the long lost Queen’s Head pub once stood. It was here, on a dark November night in 1879, that the fledgling St Domingo football team committee, while enjoying a few pints of local ale, chose to become Everton FC.
The rest, as they say, is history which was re-written in 2015 when an archaeological dig, organised by the Heritage Society, unearthed the foundations of the Victorian hostelry and discovered some fascinating finds. These included a stoneware inkwell that archaeologist Dr Mark Adams tantalisingly suggested could have been used to write up the minutes of that momentous name change meeting.
Ken Rogers, chairman of the Heritage Society and the Echo’s Blues’ correspondent during Howard Kendall’s glorious Eighties era and beyond, will be amongst those at the tower. Ken has written many EFC books, including the classic stadium centenary history ‘Goodison Glory’ and the acclaimed fan tribute title ‘Born Not Manufactured’.
He said: “Evertonians are fiercely proud of their heritage and I’m one of them, having been brought up close to the tower. I look forward to exchanging some royal blue thoughts with fans attending our history day on Saturday. There is certainly a lot of folklore about the tower to discuss and put right. As an EFC correspondent, I have had the honour and privilege of meeting and interviewing many Goodison immortals like Dixie Dean, Tommy Lawton, Dave Hickson, Bob Latchford, Joe Royle, Graeme Sharp, Andy Gray and Duncan Ferguson. There is a clearly centre-forward theme developing there.
“Ironically, not many images of Goodison greats can be found standing alongside the tower in the Echo and official club photo archives, despite it being central to our crest and identity. I will reveal on Saturday some of those who were instinctively drawn there – two immortals in particular recognising it as Mersey football ‘holy ground’.
“I also look forward to revealing some inside stories at our royal blue gathering and other heritage colleagues will be on hand to share their vast knowledge and answer any questions. Who knows, we might even blast out a verse or two of ‘If You Know Your History’.
“The Everton Tower now has uninterrupted views towards our new riverside stadium and it’s fitting that we are opening the Lock-Up’s giant iron door and sharing fan memories at this key moment in club history.”
There is parking on Village Street and also in Everton Park’s nearby official ‘View’ car park, the latter approached off St Domingo Road.
Would of loved to of made it on Saturday, but frustratingly its also Armed Forces Day which l can’t miss while l’m still able. Maybe if you have another day like this you’ll give some thought to other events that might prevent more blues attending. Hope you all enjoy UTFT
Live in Widnes now but will try and get there Saturday.
I hope this event is a huge success. I’d love to be there but will be away on holiday so it would be great if you could run another one soon.
Will be there! One of my current WiPs [childrens’ story]takes place there
Paul McDermott
Up the Immortal Toffees.
Enjoy your day, gutted I can’t be with you.
How can I be involved in crowd testing of New Everton Stadium? I would like be part of the new future of Everton FC in memory of my late Brother, Frank Gilligan a season ticket hold, but who sadly past away in 2019.
Hello Gerard, You will have to contact Everton FC directly I’m afraid, the society plays no part in the administration of crowd testing.
Best regards
Mike Royden (Website Admin)
This is a great opportunity missed for me unfortunately, I would love to attend future openings and would like to maybe help to plant some appropriate blue and white flowers/shrubs around the base of the tower ? I have always thought this is an opportunity missed by Liverpool Council.
Great idea regarding the flowers/shrubs Billy, I’ll pass on your comments to Ken Rogers who is a trustee of the Friends of Everton Park.
Best regards
Mike Royden