Everton History When “Legends” Were Thin on the Ground — Part 2 Continuing the theme of listing the 50 players who featured in the Everton team, from the resumption of League football in 1946-47 until the relegation season of 1950-51 John McFarlane [Senior] 02/06/2018 18comments | Jump to last Continuing the theme of listing the 50 players who featured in the Everton team, from the resumption of League football after WW2 in 1946-47 until the relegation season of 1950-51, including George Burnett whom I inadvertently omitted from part one, and Tommy (TE) Jones who I had overlooked completelyI wish to make it clear from the start that I gain my information, in the main, from reference books, with the occasional personal observation thrown in.George Gordon Burnett Born 11 February 1920 — Died 1985.George Burnett was cool and thoroughly capable, but got few opportunities with Everton, where he was in the shadow of Ted Sagar. However after leaving Everton, he gave excellent service to Oldham Athletic in more than 100 competitive games, helping the 'Latics' win the Third Division [North] title in 1953, when he missed only four League matches., Article continues below video content He was between the posts when Everton beat Oldham 4-0 in 1954 to gain promotion to the top flight. I was at Boundary Park that evening, and I must admit that a long range effort from Tommy Jones, that beat George, warranted what they term in horse racing, as a 'Stewards enquiry'.Everton weren't the only team to say goodbye to the Second Division on that April evening, as Oldham Athletic were relegated to the Third division [North].George Burnett's Everton career was 54 appearances.Peter Joseph Corr Born 22 June 1923 — Died 1999.Peter Corr made three appearances for Preston North End before moving to Goodison Park, where he became one of six different players to don the Number 7 shirt in 1948-49, making his debut in a 1-0 League away defeat, to Stoke City in September 1948.Capped four times by the Republic of Ireland (known at that time as Eire) as an Everton player, including that famous 2-0 win over England on his home ground in 1949, a lot of publications credit Tommy Eglington with that honour, but Tommy didn't figure in that triumph.I have mentioned once or twice that our school, All Saints RC Anfield, was close enough to catch the last few minutes of games at Liverpool's ground, at what was termed three-quarter time, but we could never quite make it to Goodison Park; however that didn't stop us trying, so I guess that the England versus Eire game should be added to the list.Peter Corr, who was a relative of the famous Irish pop group 'The Corrs', became surplus to requirements when Ted Buckle arrived from Manchester United.Peter Corr's Everton career was 24 appearances snd 2 goals John William Davies Born 14 November 1916 — Died [circa] 1980A Welsh schoolboy international in 1930, Jack Davies, almost completely bald, made 18 appearances for Chester before joining Everton, primarily as cover for Joe Mercer.Due to the Second World War, when he hardly played in this country, Davies had to wait until September 1946 before making his League debut as an emergency right back in a 4-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers, his only game for the 'Blues' He later made 33 League appearances for Plymouth and Bristol Rovers. I must confess that I had never heard of this player until I embarked on this article, neither my Grandad nor my uncles ever mentioned him. but I suppose that's hardly surprising.Jack Davies's Everton career record was 1 appearance.Ephraim Dodds Born 7 September 1915 — Died 2 February 2007Ephraim Dodds, known to everyone as simply 'Jock', was an enormous, no-nonsense centre-forward who led the line with his own distinctive brand of robust football. He was so good in the air that centre-halves used to dread being handed the task of marking him.His career covered the pre-World War Two and post-war periods, and although he never won a full cap, he did play eight times for his country in wartime internationals.He was born in Grangemouth in 1915 and played junior football in Lanarkshire and Durham, before joining the staff at Huddersfield Town at the age of 15. He joined Sheffield United on a free transfer two years later, and topped the scoring list in four seasons with the 'Blades'. He played in the 1936 FA Cup Final against Arsenal, and was transferred to Blackpool for £10,000 in March 1939.Everton with no Dean, Lawton, or 'Bunny Bell', struggled to find a centre-forward immediately after the war, and they signed Dodds in November 1946 He served them with 36 goals in 55 games before moving to Lincoln City in October 1948; by the time he retired, he had scored well over 200 goals.'Jock' Dodds was expelled by the Football League over his role as recruiting agent, for the Bogata based Marios Club, who were affiliated to the Colombian National League but not FIFA. Jack Hedley and Billy Higgins, ex-teammates of Jock Dodds, were lured to Bogota along with Charlie Mitten (Manchester United), George Mountford and Neil Franklin (Stoke City). Jack Hedley declined the offer from Marios, while Billy Higgins stayed to take up a coaching role.As for Mitten and Franklin, they soon returned to England and, if memory serves me right, they were fined and suspended. Charlie Mitten was transferred to Fulham, Neil Franklin to Hull City, and Jack Hedley to Sunderland; I'm not sure about George Mountford.Jock Dodds's Everton career was 58 appearances 37 goals.Gordon Dugdale Born 24 February 1924 — Died May 1986One of the unluckiest men ever to play professional football at the highest level, Gordon Dugdale was a brilliant left-back who seemingly had the world at his feet as his career reached its climax in the late 1940s. A superb ball winner and distributer, he looked a certainty for England's 1950 World Cup team, when he was compelled to give up the game he loved. A heart complaint which had developed during his service in the Far East as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, suddenly recurred.Dugdale was deceptively fast, and at a time when full-backs were supposed to stay back, he constantly defied tradition by making sudden forays into attack. He joined Everton in 1947 on his demob from the Royal Navy; he was described at the time as 'looking more like a solicitor's clerk than a sportsman' because of his light build. In his youth, he had played for Linacre School, Bootle Schoolboys, and Lancashire Schoolboys.He had once incurred the wrath of the legendary Ted Sagar when, in a game against Middlesbrough, he tried to chip the ball back, but only succeeded in scoring an own goal. In three seasons, he managed only 58 League games.In 1952, he became a Director of South Liverpool FC, and 18 months later, he stood as the Conservative candidate for the Low Hill ward, but failed to unseat the Labour Member of Parliament.As captain of All Saints football team, I had the pleasure of meeting Gordon when he took a coaching session; I think he was a friend of our Headmaster Mr West.Gordon Dugdale's Everton record was 58 League and 5 FA Cup appearances.Thomas Joseph Eglington Born 5 January 1923 — Died 18 February 2004Tommy Eglington was one of Everton's greatest ever servants, making more than 400 appearances in a Goodison career which spanned 11 years. He signed along with Peter Farrell from Shamrock Rovers in 1946 for a joint fee of £10,000, the deal proving to be one of the finest strokes of business that Everton ever pulled off.He was widely recognised as the greatest match-winning left winger in the British game, and was seen by many as the natural successor to Billy Liddell in terms of poise and grace.The very mention of his name sent shivers of apprehension down the spines of right-backs all over the country, and he repaid the Everton Board for putting their faith in him, with an illustrious and golden career. He guaranteed himself a place in the pages of Everton's history when, on 27 September 1952, he single-handedly demolished Doncaster Rovers at Goodison Park with 5 goals in a 7-1 win.He offset his devastating speed with intricate close control and shooting power; he gained his first international recognition the year he joined Everton, and went on to win 24 Eire caps and make 6 appearances for Northern Ireland, when that country could select Eire-born players for the Home International Championship. He was transferred to Tranmere Rovers in 1957 and, on retirement, ran a butcher's shop in Dublin.Those who read my article 'Favourites aren't always the best' will recall that Tommy Eglington was my choice for outside left, pipping Johnny Morrissey at the post, and that from a large family of Evertonians I was the only one to witness the 7-1 rout of Doncaster Rovers, when Tommy scored his 5 goals — the rest of the family were at my cousin's wedding.Tommy Eglington's Everton record was 428 appearances 82 goals.David Edward James Falder Born 21 October 1922 — Date of death unknownSigned from Wigan Athletic, Ted Falder was a well built, physically strong defender, he made his debut for Everton in December 1949 against Fulham, taking over from T G Jones. He held that position until the early part of the following season, but then failed to get a look in following the introduction of the second Tommy T E Jones. Falder signed for Ellesmere Port in 1950, unfortunately not in the legend bracket.Ted Falder's Everton career was 30 appearances.Peter Desmond Farrell Born 16 August 1922 — Died 2001Peter Farrell helped to make history when he scored one of the goals for Eire that defeated the star-studded and seemingly invincible England side in 1949. Fittingly, the venue for an Irish triumph which sent shock waves around the football world, was Goodison Park, a ground which Farrell graced for more than a decade. Strangely, the man who built up an enviable reputation as a sturdy wing-half, was forced to play out of position that day, figuring at inside-right.He joined Everton from Shamrock Rovers in 1946, along with his long-time friend, Tommy Eglington; the package deal cost the Goodison Board £10,000 making it arguably the best double signing the club ever made. A resilient player who never shirked a tackle, Farrell was popular on the field, and something of a hero off it, mixing with supporters in his down-to-earth manner.He captained the team for many years before, in October 1957 at the age of 33, he agreed to join Tranmere Rovers as Player/Manager for a fee of £2,500. He was later to become Manager until leaving in December 1960.The following season, he took over as Player/Manager of Welsh League club Holyhead Town, but eventually returned to Ireland to continue in management.He played 28 times for Eire and represented Northern Ireland 7 times, when they could select players born in the Republic, for the Home International Championship.Peter Farrell's Everton record was 453 appearances 17 goals. Share article: Reader Comments (18) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Dave Abrahams 1 Posted 04/06/2018 at 13:00:17 Like you, John, I've never heard of John Davies. George Burnett I remember well, he was transferred to South Liverpool but was recalled very quickly, might have even been on the same day, to play for Everton against Newcastle, I think. As you say, John, he was unlucky being an understudy to the great Ted Sagar.Tommy Eglington and Peter Farrell have been well documented in your previous series.Gordon Dugdale I remember very well and recall the article in the Echo when he had to retire early.Jock Dodds was another of my early days going to Goodison, I was at the game in 1948 which produced our record attendance vs Liverpool, I think he took the penalty in the last few minutes which gave us a draw... not sure but Liverpool's goal was another penalty taken by Willie Fagan?Ted Falder, centre-half played in the 1950 FA Cup semi-final vs Liverpool, a question often asked because people would say T G Jones or Maurice Lindley played centre-half that day.All these players bring back many memories of my early days supporting the Blues. Like the last 20 years or so now, I had to watch poor or mediocre teams then... still, I'll get a bundle of years off when I get to Purgatory. John McFarlane Snr 3 Posted 04/06/2018 at 17:08:06 Hi, Dave, unfortunately I wasn't at the derby game that saw the record attendance established. I could tell fibs and pretend I was, but that wouldn't accomplish anything would it?Although you are two years younger than I, your memory is a little sharper than mine, Jock Dodds did score from the spot. I gave my book on derby matches to Josh and so I can't verify it, but I have no doubt that you are correct.I was aware that Ted Falder played at Maine Road in the semi-final, and as you say a lot of people would presume that 'T G' played. On a personal note, that game was played four days after my Mother died, so it kind of passed me by.They weren't the best of times for Everton but nobody could call us 'glory hunters', I just hope that the young supporters of today can enjoy some of the excellent football that brought us success.I'm looking forward to the proposed get together, and maybe we'll able to revisit happier times. John McFarlane Snr 4 Posted 04/06/2018 at 17:16:44 Hi Dave again, what I was referring to when I said that, "I can't verify it" was the fact that Willie Fagan also scored from the penalty spot. Terry White 5 Posted 04/06/2018 at 17:29:47 I am pleased that you have returned to action, John, with this 2nd episode of your most recent contribution. I have been travelling and was concerned that I had somehow missed it as I could not find it in my search of TW.I think you were disappointed in the response, or lack of it, to your first segment. Of course there are only a few of an age who can claim to have seen these players in the blue jersey and so that must make it harder for worthwhile contributions to the link. The period up to 1950-51 is 3-4 years before I attended my first game and so while I know many of the names from my own research and what my dad would tell me about the players, I cannot say I have seen them myself, Peter Farrell and Eggo being exceptions from your new list as they played until later in the '50s. Both are worthy members of your "Favourite" 11). Just in case you do not use it for your own research, Steve Johnson's excellent website, "Everton Results" - http://www.evertonresults.com/about.htm - provides so much information, all credit to Steve for keeping this going. Thanks to Steve and his contributors. John McFarlane Snr 6 Posted 04/06/2018 at 18:17:42 Hi Terry [5], I was a little disappointed in the response to part one of the series. I appreciate that there has been a lot going on recently, and that some people are only interested in the 'here and now'.Apart from giving me something to do in my old age, I was hoping to stir some memories from the older generation, and maybe a little curiosity from the younger element. As a young boy, I couldn't get enough information about football in general and Everton in particular, listening to my uncles on a Saturday night after their customary visit to the local .Although Warney Cresswell, Cliff Britton, Jock Thomson etc, were before my time, it was as though they were appearing before my eyes, and my Grandad and a family friend, 'Old Mac', could go back even further. I feel that a lot of supporters sing, 'If you know your history', without living up to the words; I believe that you know your history, through experiencing it, listening to it, or reading of it. I hope that doesn't come across as a bit of a sermon, I'm afraid I'm not as passionate as I used to be, but Everton Football Club still play an important part in my life. Terry White 7 Posted 04/06/2018 at 20:04:23 John (#6) and Dave (#1), I did some research of my own. I have a "coffee table" book named "100 Years of Goodison Glory". It has a report on the 1948 game and Dodds equalized through a penalty kick. Fagan did score for the Reds but not from a penalty. John McFarlane Snr 8 Posted 04/06/2018 at 20:38:51 Hi Terry [7], I have that book in front of me at the moment, the headline to that fixture reads "Bring in the crowds — 78,299 of them"I'm looking at the team photo and what I find most interesting is that when I was boy, they looked like 'Old men', and now that I'm an old man. they look like 'Old men'.As I have often said, I have one or two books, what I need to do now is to invest in an electronic library, or do a bit more swotting. Terry White 9 Posted 04/06/2018 at 21:30:58 John (#8) — and in an adjoining page where there is a photo of the team coming out against Huddersfield, clear as daylight, my father's face stands out in the crowd near to the tunnel. A treasured page for me. John McFarlane Snr 10 Posted 04/06/2018 at 22:34:37 Hi Terry [9], I was a bit confused, because on the adjoining page in my book [page 103], is a picture of Alex Stevenson and Jackie Balmer leading the teams out in the match in question.After a little bit of detective work, it would appear to me that your dad was the chap wearing spectacles, he was in the same position in the picture you refer to on page [109] as the page [103] picture. The picture adjoining [109] is of Peter Farrell and Phil Taylor leading the teams out in the 1950-51 derby game, I'm glad we sorted that one out. Dave Abrahams 11 Posted 05/06/2018 at 13:23:21 Terry (#9), that game v Huddersfield, was it in the same season as the record attendance derby game? Because I remember going to an Everton - Huddersfield game around that era and I was excited because I was going to see Peter Doherty, the great Irish international who I had only read about previously. I didn't realise that some of these great players were getting on and because of the war had lost many years of their professional careers; nevertheless, it was still a great thrill for me to see these fabulous players. Going from a distant memory, Everton won that game 3-0, but I wouldn't put money on that score. Terry White 12 Posted 05/06/2018 at 15:56:11 Let's try and sort things out! Dave (#11) the game you saw v Huddersfield was indeed in the 1948-49 season, the same season as our record crowd v Liverpool. Courtesy of Steve Johnson's excellent site, "Everton Results", I can tell you we won 2-0, you were fortunate to see goals by one Harry Catterick, and Peter Doherty did indeed play for Huddersfield that day.Now John (#10), my poor choice of words from memory has confused you. Sorry. The photo to which I am referring is the middle one on page 109, the first game in the 1950-51 season when we were relegated. If you look to the right of Catterick, there is a space where a large man in a dark coat is evident. The man directly above him towards the centre line is my father. He was a staunch Blue until the end in 2014, aged 96, having seen Dean's 60th goal v Arsenal, and I think about him every day. He brought up his 3 sons, his "half-back line" as he called it, in the correct faith. Dave Abrahams 13 Posted 05/06/2018 at 16:04:44 Thanks, Terry, maybe that third goal I thought I saw was disallowed!!! Terry White 14 Posted 05/06/2018 at 18:01:56 If so, Dave (13), it was probably incorrectly disallowed but would be the story of EFC. Dave Abrahams 15 Posted 05/06/2018 at 18:35:23 A bit of tongue-in-cheek there Terry, but it is amazing for me to still recall the absolute thrill I got as a young boy going to Goodison Park. How wonderful it was for me to run up the steps of the Boys Pen and gaze down on the pitch and look in wonderment all around Goodison for my first "big team game". Even though we lost, 2-0 vs Arsenal, March 1948, I was captured forever. I has lost some magic over the years, especially last season, but I wouldn't swap being a lifetime Blue for one second of being a red. In fact, I saw them the week before the Arsenal game beating Huddersfield Town 4-0 at Anfield. I wasn't as biased then, as I am now, but there was no magic for me at Anfield, never felt anything for them, my heart belonged to the Blues before I saw them play. Ian Burns 16 Posted 05/06/2018 at 20:32:21 Hi John, sorry to come to the table late! I did read your article a day or two ago and kept meaning to respond.Unfortunately when I left the UK I also left all sorts of books behind so I don't have any reference points.However, I want to tell you it makes no difference to me because reading your articles brings vivid pictures to mind even if I have only heard of Eglington and Farrell but I knew a little of their history, so your reminders were most welcome.Thanks for the time you take John and even more thanks for the fascinating insight you are providing over this and your recent series on Favourites. Hugely appreciated. John McFarlane Snr 17 Posted 05/06/2018 at 21:40:29 Hi Ian [16], Thank you for your kind words, I suppose ego plays some part in my efforts, but I am sincere when I say that the main reason I write the articles is to remind the older readers of their past, and to give younger readers an insight into what we experienced. We older supporters have lived through the best and the worst of life as Evertonians, I genuinely sympathise with the younger generation, for example my Grandson Josh, who has had a season ticket alongside me in the Park End since he was 7and he'll be 14 in September.Granted, he has been to Wembley twice but unfortunately, we lost on both occasions Liverpool and Chelsea. I was nearly 28 when I paid my first visit to Wembley, the 1966 triumph over Sheffield Wednesday, and I was nearly 25 when we won our first post-war trophy, the First Division title; I hope that he and his peers don't have to wait that long. Brian Garside 18 Posted 12/06/2018 at 19:58:37 John. Thank you. Please continue. Many of us are unaware of those you write about. Could be a reason for low response. However. I am equally sure that it is appreciated as much if the subject matter had been Ball Harvey and Kendall. John McFarlane Snr 19 Posted 12/06/2018 at 20:35:23 Hi Brian [18], thank you for your words of encouragement, I have completed part 3 of the article, and will submit it in the next couple of days. I thought that the thread had run its course, because prior to your contribution tonight, 12 June, the last posting was on 5 June. I do appreciate that there are important issues to be discussed on other threads, but I feel that the same points are being raised, albeit by different people, and other than expressing our opinions, there's nothing we can do to influence the buying and selling of players.On a personal note, I thought that more people would take the opportunity to discuss the 'Players of Yesteryear' – the more elderly to revive dormant memories, and the younger Evertonians to possibly be given a little information on players of whom they know little or nothing. 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