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Seven Toffees too sweet for Barnsley

The FA Cup tie played against Barnsley at Goodison Park in 1915 was to find its way in to the record books as Everton ended the game with just seven players on the field.

Bolton Wanderers provided the opposition when, in 1886, Everton first entered the FA Cup tournament. The tie proved to be controversial which led to them being banned from entering the completion one year later. They have since taken part in many fierce and challenging cup ties, several of which have found their way in to Everton folklore.

The FA Cup tie which was played against Barnsley, was to find its way in to the record books as Everton ended the game with just seven players on the field.

The year was 1915 and the First World War was raging across Europe when the Yorkshire party arrived in Liverpool and made their headquarters at the Hotel St George. They were accompanied by a journalist who worked for a Sheffield based sports paper known as the “Green Un” and it was he who stated that the game had attracted a crowd of around 18,000 people.

The Yorkshire men had eliminated Everton, five years earlier, from the contest in a semi-final tie that had been played Old Trafford and the Merseyside outfit were out to avenge this defeat. Frank Jeffries, the regular inside forward, was injured and Joe Clennell, who himself looked unwell, was brought in to replaced him.

The Liverpool Daily Post had their reporter at the game and he commented that “Barnsley are noted cup-fighters and it is also well known that they forsake the scientific for the more robust and vigorous method”. The first man to be admonished by the referee, a Mr J P Stephen, was the Barnsley centre-half Baron, who had committed a foul on George (Jud) Harrison. The Everton wingman, who took the ensuing corner, dropped the ball nicely for Jamesey Galt who headed Everton in to a 1-0 lead.

Harrison, when the play re-started, then aimed a kick at Baron which led to the referee sending both players from the field. The match had been in progress for 32 minutes. Everton however, continued to dominate the play and were rewarded by a second goal that was scored by Bobby Parker who, along with Galt, had joined Everton from Glasgow Rangers. The Glaswegian had proved to be an excellent signing for Everton and this goal was the 22nd he had scored this season.

Nevertheless he was the next player try the patience of Mr Stephton who, following his foul on the visiting goalkeeper, ordered the Scotsman from the field. The second half had been in progress for 13 minutes and Everton were now reduced to nine men. Parker had not reached the tunnel when Galt, with a long left-footed drive, scored a third goal for Everton.

Joe Clennell, who was fast breaking down, then fainted and had to be carried from the field leaving just Sam Chedgzoy and Billy Kirsopp to make up the Everton forward line. The visitors however, had by now looked a defeated side and their exit from the competition had long been assured.

Everton were then reduced to seven men when Tom Fleetwood, who had been injured, left the field a few minutes before the final whistle put an end to one a most sensational games yet seen at Goodison Park.

The match ended Everton 3, Barnsley 0.

Tony Onslow is author of the historical Everton book, The Men from The Hill Country"

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