The Brief History of A.F.C Everton of Auckland, New Zealand 1907-1922

Part I: 1907-1908

Richie Gillham

The first reports of a team in Auckland, New Zealand called Everton, appeared in the first decade of the twentieth century, but the club was only in existence for a short period before a second Everton team would be formed in Auckland in 1911.

The Auckland Football Association was founded in 1887, following the formation of several football clubs, but it would not be into the next century before Everton Auckland would become part of the organisation. The roots of the club lay in church football, just as it did for Everton FC and St Domingo. At an event in 1903 to celebrate forty-eight years’ existence of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church, it was reported that the church had held Sunday athletics games and had a football club for boys run by their teachers. They soon amalgamated with another local church team to form a larger club.

At a meeting of the team held in the Young Men’s Club Room at the Tabernacle, with a Mr L. Moses presiding, the secretary (Mr A. Turley) read the annual report, which stated that the senior team had occupied the position of runners-up for the Championship Shield, while the first juniors had not been very successful. It was decided to enter a first and a second junior team for the association championships.

In 1907, there was a split in the Tabernacle side, and Everton Association Football Club of Auckland was born. The local Auckland Star, commented that out of the ashes of a defunct combination came Everton, also stating that they hoped Everton would become as successful as the English team which had won the FA Cup the previous season, and it had promised, “that the effort would be second to none.”

The reason why the Auckland club was directly named in honour of the English team is not entirely clear, but almost half the players were born in Liverpool before emigrating to New Zealand, and may have supported Everton FC back in their homeland. Other players were from Natal in South Africa, while some of the squad came from the defunct Tabernacle club. The club had twenty players, their colours being black shirts with white facings.

During a meeting of the newly found club with a Mr G. McNair in the chair, the election of officers took place with the result that Mr A. Dugmore was to become president, with Dr Roland Aicken, Dr Goldstone, Mr C. Myall, Rev A. North, Reverend J. Clark, and Mr C. J. Hemery to be vice-presidents.

It was decided that the players should elect the captain and vice-captain, and Mr R. Takle became the secretary. The treasurer was Mr C. H. Skipper, and the rest of the management committee was made up from Messrs Smith, C. Glenister and Bradshaw. The selection committee for the first game would be Messrs J. Clark, A. Dugmore and G. McNair. Furthermore, Mr. J. Clark was elected along with the captain and vice-captain as the permanent selection committee for all the future games. Delegates to the Auckland Football Association were also selected, namely Messrs C. Myall and R. Takle.

Among the original team players were C Glenister, a prominent player and former secretary of the Taranaki Football Association, and F. Gamble, who played for Petone near Wellington. The local press reported that C.H. Skipper was back in the city and that he would play for Everton, alongside two of his old Tabernacle teammates, plus two players tipped for the future, Keene, and Gould, both of whom came from the W.Y.M.I. team.

The amount of interest in the ‘association’ game over rugby was reflected in the number of applications for club membership in the Auckland region. In this district, six new clubs took part in the competitions during the coming season. Throughout the city and its suburbs, clubs were springing into being. One bright prospect for the future of the association game was the fact that so many juniors had taken to it.

Everton’s first official game was on 4 May 1907, against the Corinthians at the Domain Cricket Ground. The club had problems fielding players, for in a knockout competition they lost against North Shore’s second-string side, as they could only field six players, although they had a squad reported in the Auckland press consisting of the following players: McNair, J. Dinen, F. Gamble, B. Erney, F. Baker, J. Maxwell, C. Skipper, J. Wallet, Smith, Gould, Keene, and R. Takle.

The Auckland Star of 4 May reported that Everton were pushing forward with all efforts in signing top players. They had signed Allan Edmonds, formerly of the Thistle club, as goalkeeper,  and J. Wallet, a promising forward from Caledonians club of Durban, Natal,  who also was a champion hurdler at 220 yards for the Durban Athletic Club.

The squad on the 11 May for a game at Point Chevalier was A. Edmonds, G. McNair, J. Dinen, W. Bradshall, B. Erney, F. Baker, H. Smith, J. Maxwell, C. H. Skipper, J. Wallet, W. Harding, T. Keene, and Gamble, with Mr. M. Knight as the match official.

Their next fixture was against Ponsonby, with Everton recording a 3-1 win.

The rest of their first season’s reports are patchy, garnering little interest in the pages of the Auckland press. The next match report revealed that North Shore and Ponsonby drew, leaving North Shore and Everton to fight it out for the runners-up spot after the Corinthian’s had stormed the championship.

On 2 August, the press reported that the league tournament was to be suspended, and knockout competitions would commence. Everton were drawn against North Shore second XI.

The Everton side: Edmonds, McNair, Dineen, Skipper, Bradshaw, Baker, Smith, Ernie, Harding, Southern, T. Keene, and J. Wallet. Unfortunately, only six players turned up, and Everton were thrown out of the cup giving their opponents a walkover.

The last apparent match report for that season was in the Auckland Star on 24 August 1907, in which it was reported that full-back McNair had been picked to play at Alexandria Park, the home of Auckland rugby union club for the Auckland representative team. The report also stated that McNair was a ‘cool, steady player whose kicking could be relied on under trying conditions,’ and that he had been ‘Everton’s saviour.’

In 1908, the Everton side were next reported as playing at the fifth-grade level in a 1—1 draw against the Richmond side.

As the club disbanded, many of the Everton players were to return to their former club, indicated by a representative match between the Tabernacle Former Players v Present Players. Notably, Takle and Skipper appeared for the Former Players, and F. Baker represented the Present Players.

It would not be until 1911 before a second Everton Auckland would be relaunched.

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Part II – The Return of Everton AFC, Auckland (1911-1922)

Origins and Formation (1911)

The second coming of Everton AFC, based in Auckland, New Zealand, was established in 1911 with William Boyne who heralded from Leeds, England, heading up the club as President. The club emerged from a growing interest in Association Football during the early 20th century in New Zealand and the thirst for more after the first Everton side disappeared in 1908.The club’s founders aimed to create a platform for local players to showcase their talent and engage the community through sport. Named after the famous Everton Football Club in England, the Auckland-based team quickly became a vital part of the local football scene.

Early Years and Competitions (1911-1914)

In its inaugural years, Everton AFC participated in various local leagues, competing primarily in the Auckland Football Association competitions. The team quickly established itself as a competitive force, attracting a mix of local talent and immigrants who brought diverse styles and experiences to the game. The club’s early matches were characterised by spirited play and growing community support, laying the groundwork for its future success.

The team enjoyed several notable successes. After re-entering the senior division in the 1911-12 season, Everton AFC quickly gained attention. In their first season back, Everton AFC rose from the Third Grade Division, where they had won the championship, followed by winning the junior championship. Their aggressive, attacking style paid off, winning several key matches against teams like Ponsonby, W.Y.M.I, and Carlton.

In the 1912-13 season, Everton continued their winning streak and dominance in the senior grade. They achieved significant victories, including a 4-3 win over North Shore, a 7-0 win against Brotherhood and a resounding 5-1 victory against the strong Corinthian team.

In 1912, they advanced through various stages of the Cup competitions. In the semi-finals of the Association Cup, they had a tightly contested match against Corinthians, eventually securing a memorable victory with a late goal by Reg Boyne, known for his decisive play. The superb season culminated  in the double when they beat Ponsonby  in the final of the Auckland Association Cup competition at Victoria Park in front of about 3000 spectators. They also participated in multiple competitive matches in the league winning the First Grade championship for the first time and seemed set to dominate the league for years to come.

Everton’s dominance continued in 1913 when they won the Association title for the second consecutive year. They topped the championship with eight wins and one draw from their nine games, retaining their position as league leaders after defeating Thistle. The club’s all-round performance was exemplary, with key players like centre forward Reg Boyne scoring 19 goals during the league fixtures. The Auckland club almost did the back to back doubles but were edged out by the Corinthians in the Cup Final. A further success came that season when the second-grade team, also won its championship.

These triumphs in both league and cup competitions cemented Everton’s place as one of the top clubs in Auckland football during the early 20th century. Despite these successes, they sometimes faced challenges as their English cousins have in recent history, such as controversial refereeing decisions, as in the match against Ponsonby where a disputed goal became a point of contention. The Ponsonby side appealed to the FA that the goal shouldn’t stand, and they agreed and overruled the referee’s decision only for an Everton fan to write to the FA to oppose this decision as he pointed out that the referee’s decision is final as written in the laws of the game.

As World War I began in 1914, the club, like many others, faced challenges as 41 members of staff and players enlisted for military service, which led to a decline in competitive play, and a halt in the club’s activities as the focus shifted to supporting the war effort.

However, Everton continued to participate in local leagues, adapting to the changing landscape of New Zealand football. The early period from 1911 to 1914 had seen the team develop a loyal following, with local supporters rallying behind them during both victories and defeats.

During the early seasons some of the key players who contributed to Everton’s success included:

Harold Boyne: A forward whose aggressive play led to numerous goals.

Reg Boyne: Reg made the grade and had a brief career playing in the English First Division with Aston Villa, and also spent time with Leicester Fosse and Brentford, Known for his first-class play at centre forward, Boyne consistently scored goals and was the mainstay of Everton’s attack, often overcoming tough defensive marking.

R. Webster: A key forward, Webster was part of a formidable combination alongside his brother S. Webster

C. Isbister: Played an important role in the forward line, frequently mentioned for his contributions in attacking known for his speed and superior play.

Frank Baker (Captain): Led the team and was known for his solid defensive work and leadership.

Thomas Brewer: A forward who often created chances and scored crucial goals.

These players, alongside others like Arnold Cantell (goalkeeper), S. Robinson (defender), and F. Marsh (forward), formed the backbone of a successful Everton side during this era.

The Impact of World War I (1914-1918)

The outbreak of World War I significantly impacted sport in New Zealand, including soccer. Many players from Everton AFC joined the armed forces, leading to a decrease in available talent. The Auckland Football Association suspended league competitions for several years, forcing clubs to halt organised play. Despite these setbacks, Everton maintained a sense of community by engaging in friendly matches and fundraising events to support the war effort and keep the spirit of football alive.

The dedication of players and supporters helped to foster a sense of unity, and the club remained a symbol of hope during a challenging time.

You can find the list of New Zealand players who lost their lives during World War One in this superb publication below by the Everton FC Heritage Society’s Mike Royden and Peter Jones (click to access)

Post-War Revival (1919-1922)

After the war concluded in 1918, Everton AFC began to rebuild and refocus on competitive play after the terrible loss of eight members of the team and staff in the war. The return of former players and the influx of new talent revitalised the team. The club quickly re-entered league competitions, participating in local tournaments, highlighting a renewed enthusiasm for the sport.

In 1919, Everton returned to the Auckland Football Association leagues, where they began to re-establish themselves as a formidable presence. The post-war era brought a surge in interest in soccer across New Zealand, and Everton was at the forefront of this resurgence. Matches began drawing larger crowds, and the atmosphere at games was charged with excitement.

By the early 1920s, Everton AFC had become a well-recognised team within the Auckland region. The club’s competitive spirit and commitment to player development led to several notable achievements during this time. Everton consistently performed well in league standings and began to attract attention from regional rivals.

Beyond the pitch, Everton AFC played a crucial role in fostering community spirit in Auckland. The club became a gathering point for families and fans, promoting not just football but also camaraderie and friendship among supporters. Everton’s commitment to community engagement included youth programmes, which were instrumental in nurturing the next generation of soccer players and strengthening the ties between diverse communities in Auckland. This legacy of inclusivity and community involvement remains an essential part of the club’s identity.

From its formation in 1911 to the early 1920s, Everton AFC experienced a transformative journey marked by challenges and triumphs. The club’s resilience during World War I and its successful revival in the post-war era laid the foundation for future achievements. Everton not only contributed to the growth of soccer in New Zealand but also became a cherished institution within the Auckland community.

Bibliography

Wayne Satogi  Great Grandson of Reginald Boyne

Waugh, R. , A History of Football in New Zealand. Auckland University Press (2012)..

New Zealand Football, A Century of Football in New Zealand: 1904-2004. New Zealand Football (2009).

Baker, J. ‘From Rugby to Soccer: The Growth of Football in New Zealand.’ Sports History Journal, (2015).

Gibbons, P. ‘The Rise of Football in Auckland: Local Clubs and National Identity.’ Auckland Historical Society Journal (2018). .

Maddaford, T. The first 100 years: The Official Centenary History of the Auckland Football Association 1887 -1987 (1987).

New Zealand Herald

Auckland Weekly News

Auckland Star

New Zealand Observer

New Zealand – List of Champions (online) – www.RSSF.org

Acknowledgements

Brendan Connolly – Proof reading

Mike Royden – Edit and web layout