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Everton’s first game
It is 23rd December 1879, picture the scene, horse drawn trams running round the luxurious green washed area of Merseyside called Stanley Park just outside the perimeter of the City of Liverpool. Urchins from the Scotland Road district venture to the park, shoeless, dressed in rags, running wild enjoying a spot of freedom on the beautifully mowed lawns that form the park despite the cold temperatures. Smoke from the city casts a haze over the river view with tall masted vessels afloat on the river below. A stench is carried on the wind from the hovels that infested the city such a short distance away, people crammed into extremely dilapidated properties making their owners very rich, while the inhabitants became even poorer. The smell of open sewers and degradation had lingered in the air of Liverpool ever since the Irish famine some years earlier when many millions of people have used the port for transport to the new world, some had settled here and now formed the bulk of the population crammed into such a small area.
Queen Victoria two years earlier had been made Empress of India, as a result the local worthies had deign to create such places as Stanley Park, named after the great explorer, for the populace to relax, play and keep fit. In days of great hardship for the masses such placebo’s were thought to keep the work force happy and content. Statues of the great monarch appeared in every city reminding the people of the power of the empire state. The work force on Merseyside only had to work a six and a half day week thanks to generous employers recognising the right of the individual to have ‘free time‘.
The more totalitarian employer encouraged, and in some cases enforced their employees to attend church meeting halls, they extolled the virtues of clean living and detested the evil drink, most places had temperance halls where working people could meet and discus worthwhile pursuits. Newspapers ruled the world of communication, no such thing as local radio, telephones or television, word of mouth was the most trusted form news, the good old grapevine was king.
In the Americas a civil war had only recently finished although the slave trade in the West Indies continued still. The British press still reported facts of the American General Custer being wiped out by native redskins, no one could believe that savages were able to win such a comprehensive victory. The British Empire was covering half the map of the world, our naval might was all conquering, we feared no one, Great Britain was a true global super power who were presently engaged in the Zulu Wars
The more fortunate members of society had purchased their Yuletide gifts, larders of the wealthy were well stocked as Christmas day approached. The poor had to make do with what they could afford, many chapels laid on meals for the needy with small gifts for their children. A child’s stocking would normally hold all the gifts they could expect, a few nuts, an apple, dolls made from clothes pegs or some garment created by a caring mother from scraps she had managed to gather over the year. The habit of giving Christmas cards was just catching on as was the erecting of decorated fir trees, a German idea brought here by the late Prince Albert. The Queen herself was still in mourning for her husband although he had been dead for nearly twenty years.
St Domingo’s Church Football team, had recently changed its name to Everton Football Club. When the team original was formed it was made up of members a long standing cricket team belonging to the church who wanted to remain fit in the winter months. This new sport had started to take off, more and more people wanted to play, most had come from outside the churches membership so it was decided to change the teams name making it more representative of the area in which they play, Everton village, just outside the ever expanding city of Liverpool. They had also chosen a local landmark as a club symbol, Prince Rupert’s Tower that had stood since the English Civil War it was still in use as a bridewell
Everton Football Club were about to play their inaugural match under the new name in Stanley Park against St Peters, another local side. A few hundred followers of the fledgling sport turned out to see the game on what is reported to be a chilly December morn morning, it was clear and dry when the corner and goal posts were erected…………….
Unfortunately no record was kept of who played, scored or even umpired the game so with the use of a crystal ball lets imagine the scene, players in long white shorts, white rugby tops with a tin blue hoops descending to the waste and long black socks. Most players had large moustaches, hair swept back or parted in the middle and few if any swore as it was frowned upon by both the umpire and the crowd…………football was a game for gentlemen.
The ball consisted of tightly sewn cow hide panels inflated by a pigs bladder and from time to time had to be re-inflated. Footwear was crude, hobnail shoes that would lacerate any skin they touched, it was matter of expectation that people regularly got injured playing this new game but it was fast and exciting. Some players tried to protect their shins with extra bandaging although some believed that such protection hindered their ability to run
The umpire called the teams together for kick off, he tosses a silver shilling into the air, St Peters won the toss and decide call their players on to the park and defend the Bootle end. Both sides had agreed to a match of eighty minutes duration as was the norm in those days when playing a friendly. St Peters attacked down the right wing from the kick off, a good tackle by Coyne breaks the assault up and he counters with a through ball to Dylan, his cross is met by M Nick and his header goes between the posts for an instant Everton lead. Nick grabs another opportunist goal just before half time thanks to a long clearance from Martin leaving Everton well in control at half time. The difference in class between the two sides was apparent, Everton spreading their players all over the park while St Peters tended to chase the ball as a unit, they tripped over each other at times. One player, D Kaye, was particularly guilty of this naïve tactic as was his team mate Bastardo ( he was young cleric who would later play his football in Manchester when he moved to a church in Kippax Street, just off Maine Road), on the other hand Everton’s approach was far more scientific as the score board proved. They did not chase the ball in a pack, it seemed that there was always a man available when the ball ran free, if more teams play the game in this fashion I’m sure it will become more popular
All the players retreated to the cricket pavilion at half time where hot camp coffee is served along with a toddy, mutton pies and pigs feet soup. Some players take the chance to have a quick smoke, most had clay or briar pipes, smoke filled the dining room along with friendly banter, the smell of the coal fire making matters seem very festive. The spectators purchased cups of a new beef tea by Johnsons, this was to become known as Bovril, it cost a farthing per sup, with bread costing extra
The second half started with Jarvis kicking off for Everton, he is an educated man who once had trials with Birkenhead St Mary’s cricket team and Lancashire. He is not a favourite of some supporters who shout such things as ‘I hope your lavatory chains breaks’ and other harsh insults, Jarvis was not phased by this abuse. Out of nowhere Jarvis is brought down quite viciously by St Mary’s half back, M Goathead, the umpire warns Goathead that he will be sent off if any other infringements occur. This player is noted for his aggressive style. Whilst Jarvis hobbled on the wing the Everton left back, Sharpy broke clear ran round the St Peter’s defence and scored a remarkable goal, his first for the club. What is even more strange is the amount of liquids Sharpy drank at half time, he’d have drank the bleach given a chance. Everton now led 3 - 0 with twenty five minutes to play, St Peters head sank and Goathead swore at his team mates, he received a further warning from the umpire. The injured Jarvis was next to score, it was a soft goal as his boot flew off when he hit the ball and Azul, the Mexican St Peters goalkeeper, went the wrong way although he caught the boot. Azul had sought sanctuary after jumping a sugar ship at the docks, he was now employed as a servant to the local pastor cleaning kitchens and waiting at table, whilst a decent cook he was no footballer
The crowd was now cheering loudly as Everton piled on the pressure, Daniels was the next to score with what can only be described as the goal of the day, picking up a pass from Jarvis just outside his own area, a sweet interchange with Mc Bain he beat nearly everyone in the St Peters side to belt the deflating ball through Azul’s legs, the crowd was in hysterics as Azul had to walk nearly two hundred yards to get the ball back, nets had yet to be invented. Interestingly Mc Bain was arrested later by the police, charged with embezzlement he is likely to face deportation to Australia. With moments to go the Everton skipper, Reidy, affectionately called Weedy by his team mates, rounded off a fine performance by chipping Azul from twenty yards out much to the embarrassed players chagrin.
It is reported that there was a slight disturbance in the crowd when a sailor started shouting for Everton, the man called Sailor Rob has just returned from Japan. His ancestors would go on to form the legendary Northwich Victoria Football club
In a rare St Peters break away Goathead nearly scored, the Everton players appreciated his effort so much they applauded it to a man and the crowd cheered. The umpire blew the final whistle early as his watch was running fast, it was a resounding 6 - 0 victory to this new side…………….one wonders just how long they will last and how far they will go. This new sport has a lot to offer people and is fast becoming a respectable spectator sport. There have been suggestions that people will be asked to pay to watch football, in my humble opinion such a levy would only serve to kill this pastime before it catches on. The very thought of people paying to watch is almost as ludicrous as players being paid to play it, this is a sport for gentlemen
Both teams retired to the pavilion for refreshments, sandwiches and a few beers. Goathead asks his team mates to raise their glasses to Everton Football Club saying he hoped they would go from strength to strength. The new Everton chairman, Ken Wright responded on behalf of the club, a good day out was had by one and all and the applauds rang in the ears of the triumphant Everton side, The lamplighters were working hard as the crowd left the park and the first chill from the night air came up from the river below
A return match was played a month later, Everton again won, this time by a 4 - 0 margin. The side that day lined up in a two, two six formation. The players were
W Jones (keeper) Evans and Douglas (backs) Hiles and Chalk (Captain) (half backs)
Morris, White, Brettle, Wade, Smith and Williams (forwards)
My report of the first game may be fiction but the result wasn’t, we beat St Peters by 6 - 0 so join us all at Grandoldteam in wishing our great club a happy one hundred and thirtieth birthday,
Everton FC you’ve come a long way in that time but here is to another 130 years……………………
COME ON YOU BLUES
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
EVERTON
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