Sheffield
United 2 - 1 Liverpool
Liverpool 4 - 1 Middlesbrough
Liverpool 1 - 0 Chelsea
L
Liverpool 1 - 1 Port Vale
| Saturday 28 October 1939 Western
Division |
| |
 |
|
| Liverpool |
Port
Vale |
| 1 - 1 (0-0) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Balmer 51 |
Nolan 88 |
| |
 |
1 Arthur Riley
2 Jim Harley
3 Bernard Ramsden
4 John Easdale
5 Tom Bush
6 Jimmy McInnes
7 Berry Nieuwenhuys
8 Cyril Done
9 Willie Fagan
10 Jack Balmer
11 Harman Van Den Berg |
|
1 Arthur Jepson
- Jonty Rowe
- Charles Scrimshaw
- Jack Smith
- Harry Griffiths
- Alf Obrey
- Higgins
- Jack Roberts
- Phil Griffiths
- Tommy Nolan
- Billy Tunnicliffe |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: F Percy
(Liverpool) |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 4,000 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
(Port V) |
|
|
|
L
Liverpool 1 - 0 Manchester
United
| Saturday 18 November 1939 Western
Division |
| |
|
|
| Liverpool |
Manchester
United |
| 1 - 0 (0-0) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Fagan 61 p |
|
| |
|
1 Arthur Riley
2 Tom Cooper
3 Jack Tennant
4 Matt Busby
5 Fred Rogers
6 Jimmy McInnes
7 George Leadbetter
8 Phil Taylor
9 Willie Fagan
10 Len Carney
11 Harman Van Den Berg |
|
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 5,000 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
Walter Crickmer (Manchester U) |
|
|
|
L
Liverpool 2 - 2 Everton
| Saturday 2 December 1939 14:30
Western Division |
| |
|
 |
| Liverpool |
Everton |
| 2 - 2 (0-2) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Nieuwenhuys 50, Fagan 51 p |
Davies 2, Stevenson 35 |
| |
|
1 Arthur Riley
2 Tom Cooper
3 Jack Tennant
4 Matt Busby
5 Tom Bush
6 James McInnes
7 Berry Nieuwenhuys
8 Phil Taylor
9 Willie Fagan
10 Jack Balmer
11 Harman Van Den Berg |
 |
1 Ted Sagar (c)
2 George Jackson
3 George Saunders
4 Maurice Lindley
5 Tommy Jones
6 Gordon Watson
7 Jack Davies
8 Stan Bentham
9 Robert Bell
10 Alex Stevenson
11 Wally Boyes |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: G W Salmon |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 8,000 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
Theo Kelly (Everton) |
Notes:
- 0-2' Stevenson. |
|
Liverpool
v Everton 2-2 (War time, League match)
Saturday, December 2 – 1939
Match: Football League, Western Region, at Anfield, kick-off: 14:30.
Liverpool – Everton 2-2 (0-2).
Attendance: 3,000 at the start, 8,000 in the second half.
Referee: Mr. G.V. Salmon.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Arthur Riley, Tommy Cooper, Jack
Tennant, Matt Busby, Tom Bush, Jimmy McInnes, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Phil Taylor, Willie
Fagan, Jack Balmer, Herman van den Berg.
Everton (2-3-5): Ted Sagar, George Jackson, George Saunders, Maurice Lindley, Tommy
Jones, Gordon Watson, Jack Davies, Stan Bentham, Robert Bell, Alex Stevenson, Wally Boyes.
The goals: 0-1 Davies (2 min.), 0-2 Stevenson (35 min.), 1-2 Nieuwenhuys (50 min.),
2-2 Fagan (Pen., 51 min.).
Everton did exceptionally well to play a drawn match with Liverpool in the first
war-time competitive game between the sides. Everything was in Liverpool’s favour –they
had the stronger side, the benefit of playing on their own ground –yet the reserves
talent of the other’s fitted in so well there was never a great deal in it. Taking a two
goals lead in the first-
half, Everton might conceivably have held on for victory, but once Liverpool found the
game swinging in their favour they scored twice in a minute, and in the end were going all
out for the goal that would have made the match theirs. There have been many less
acceptable peace-time clashes of these neighbour. Without bonus and the usual incentive to
win, both sides played sternly for what honours there were to be won. In conditions that
did not
favour good football, 8,000 spectators were kept interested at all times.
Stevenson’s Fine Judgement.
All the goals were remarkable in their way, and none more than Stevenson’s
Everton’s second. This was a triumph for quick thinking, yet there must have been hardly
one person on the ground who did not see the possibility of a goal at the same time as the
scorer. Riley went to the edge of the penalty box to get distance only half-bit, his
clearance, and Stevenson’s got the ball under control and returned it into goal from 35
yards’ range with little compunction and all haste. Riley was only half-way back to his
line when he flung up his hands, hopefully and hopelessly. Davies had previously scored
when a back pass to Riley had not been made with sufficient power, and this too, was a
reward for opportunism. Nieuwenhuy’s goal with a
cracking shot early in the second half put some inspiration into a Liverpool that was
sadly in need of it at that moment. When Tom Jones was adjudged to have tripped Fagan in
the penalty area a moment later. Fagan slammed in one of those penalty-spot shots for
which he has great repute. Afterwards it was mostly Liverpool, but in spite of a number of
close calls Everton held out.Jones Dominates.
Everton did not lose because the slight defensive failing in the side were more
than counter-balanced by Tom Jones. Centrepiece of a half-back line which must be about
the best in the county he judged the right moment to step in and carve his way through the
rather tame finishing of Liverpool’s inside forwards. Well as they played up to a point
bone always had the
feeling that Balmer, Taylor, and Fagan were a bit overawed by Jones’s ability to stop
them at the crucial moment. Jackson, not always unsuccessful to duels with Van Den Berg,
certainly kicked the ball hearty enough. Stevenson and Davies were quite outstanding in
the Everton front line, who apart slips did nothing to enhance its reputation. Bush out
headed and out
played Bell, and Busby and McInnes could afford time, to go up and use their talents to
attacking endeavour. Cooper and Tennant played well, and if the Liverpool inside forwards
were not so potent as usual in front of goal they graced the match with some lovely
approach play. Additionally, Taylor struck the angle with a solid shot.
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post, 04-12-1939 - Transcribed by playupliverpool.com |
Stoke City 2 - 1 Liverpool
| Saturday 9 December 1939 Western
Division |
| |
| |
|
| Stoke
City |
Liverpool |
| 3 - 1 (2-0) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Liddle 22, Matthews 40, Sale 75 |
Fagan 78 |
| |
 |
1 David Jones
- Harry Brigham
- Arthur Griffiths
- Eric Hampson
- Billy Mould
- Frank Soo
- Stanley Matthews
- Syd Peppitt
- Tommy Sale
- Bobby Liddle
- Alec Ormston |
|
1 Arthur Riley
2 Tom Cooper (c)
3 Jack Tennant
4 Matt Busby
5 Tom Bush
6 Jimmy McInnes
7 Berry Nieuwenhuys
8 Phil Taylor
9 Willie Fagan
10 George Paterson
11 Harman Van Den Berg |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: E V Gough
(Stoke) |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Victoria Ground (capacity )
Attendance: 1,300 |
Bob McGrory (Stoke C)
George Kay (Liverpool) |
Notes:
- I now not know which kits was used Liverpool in this match. |
|
|
Liverpool 6 - 2 New Brighton
| Saturday 23 December 1939 14:15
Western Division |
| |
|
|
| Liverpool |
New
Brighton |
| 6 - 2 (3-2) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Carney 6, Eastham 9, Done 4 goals (18,
?, ?, ?) |
Hanson 25, 37 |
| |
|
1 Dirk Kemp
2 Tom Cooper
3 Bernard Ramsden
4 Matt Busby (c)
5 Walter Halsall
6 Fred Rogers
7 Berry Nieuwenhuys
8 Stanley Eastham
9 Cyril Done
10 Len Carney
11 Harman Van Den Berg |
|
1 Willie Hawthorn
- Bill Ratcliffe
- Arthur Buxton
- Billy Wright
- Steve Hughes (c)
- Tommy Davis
- Horace Small
- Albert Malam
- Arthur Frost
- Pongo Waring
- Alf Hanson |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: W H E Evans
(Liverpool) |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 2,000 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
(New B) |
Notes:
- 4-2 Done, 5-2 Done, 6-2 Done. |
|
|
Liverpool 7 - 3 Crewe Alexandra
| Monday 1 January 1939 Western
Division |
| |
|
|
| Liverpool |
Crewe
Alexandra |
| 7 - 3 ( - ) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Nieuwenhuys 3 goals, Liddell,
Leadbetter, Busby, Carney |
?, ?, ? |
| |
|
1 Eric Mansley
2 Jim Harley
3 Jack Tennant
4 Matt Busby
5 Walter Halsall
6 Stanley Eastham
7 George Leadbetter
8 Berry Nieuwenhuys
9 Cyril Done
10 Len Carney
11 Billy Liddell |
|
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 2,000 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
(Crewe A) |
Notes:
- Billy Liddell's competitive debut for Liverpool's first team. |
|
|
Manchester City 3 - 7 Liverpool
L
L
Manchester United 1 - 0
Liverpool
| Saturday 16 March 1940 Western
Division |
| |
| |
|
| Manchester
United |
Liverpool |
| 1 - 0 ( -0) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Pearson |
|
| |
| |
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Stan Pearson
- |
|
1 Dirk Kemp
2 Tom Cooper
3 Bernard Ramsden
4 Bob Paisley
5 Matt Busby
6 Jimmy McInnes
7 Berry Nieuwenhuys
8 Phil Taylor
9 Willie Fagan
10 Stanley Eastham
11 Billy Liddell |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Old Trafford (capacity )
Attendance: 6,000 |
Walter Crickmer (Manchester U)
George Kay (Liverpool) |
Notes:
- I now not know which kits was used Liverpool in this match. |
|
|
L
L
Everton 1 - 3 Liverpool
Liverpool 1 - 2 Stoke City
| Saturday 6 April 1939 Western
Division |
| |
|
|
| Liverpool |
Stoke
City |
| 1 - 2 ( - ) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Balmer |
?, ? |
| |
|
1 Arthur Riley
2 Tom Cooper
3 Bernard Ramsden
4 Stanley Eastham
5 Alan Brown
6 Jimmy McInnes
7 Berry Nieuwenhuys
8 Jack Balmer
9 Willie Fagan
10 Len Carney
11 Billy Liddell |
|
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 5,000 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
Bob McGrory (Stoke C) |
|
|
|
Barrow 2 - 0 Liverpool
| Saturday 20 April 1940 War League
Cup 1st Round 1st Leg |
| |
| |
|
| Barrow |
Liverpool |
| 2 - 0 ( -0) |
| |
| GOAL |
| ?, ? |
|
| |
| |
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- |
|
1 Eric Mansley
2 Ray Lambert
3 Jim Harley
4 Matt Busby
5 Fred Rogers
6 Bob Paisley
7 Billy Liddell
8 Stanley Eastham
9 Berry Nieuwenhuys
10 Len Carney
11 Harman Van Den Berg |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Holker Street (capacity )
Attendance: 5,963 |
(Barrow)
George Kay (Liverpool) |
|
|
|
Liverpool 1 - 2 Barrow
| Saturday 27 April 1940 War League
Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg |
| |
|
|
| Liverpool |
Barrow |
| 1 - 2 ( - ) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Fagan p |
?, ? |
| |
|
1 Arthur Riley
2 Ray Lambert
3 Bernard Ramsden
4 Matt Busby
5 Tom Bush
6 Bob Paisley
7 Berry Nieuwenhuys
8 Len Carney
9 Willie Fagan
10 Jack Balmer
11 Billy Liddell |
|
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 9,147 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
(Barrow) |
|
|
|
L
L
Liverpool 3 - 2 Manchester City
| Saturday 25 May 1940 15:15
Western Division |
| |
|
 |
| Liverpool |
Manchester
City |
| 3 - 2 (1-1) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Nieuwenhuys 13, Liddell 80 p, Murphy
83 |
Pritchard 20, Doherty |
| |
|
1 Eric Mansley
2 Jack Tennant
3 Robert Stuart
4 George Murphy
5 Alan Brown
6 Bob Paisley
7 Billy Liddell
8 Len Carney
9 Berry Nieuwenhuys
10 Alf Hanson
11 Harman Van Den Berg |
 |
1 Frank Swift
- Bert Sproston
- Gordon Clark
- Billy Walsh
- Louis Cardwell
- Jackie Bray
- Albert Emptage
- Jack Pritchard
- Alex Herd
- Peter Doherty
- Jimmy Rudd |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: A E Smith
(Liverpool) |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 2,000 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
Wilf Wild (Manchester C) |
Notes:
- 3-2 Doherty.
- There is uncertainties if Murphy is George Murphy, of Bradford – or David
Murphy, of Middlesbrough. Local newspapers have referred to Murphy, of Bradford and
Murphy, of Middlesbrough in their preview articles. In their first half coverage the
Evening Express referred to Murphy, of Bradford – while all preview articles for the
above match said: Murphy, of
Middlesbrough. (playupliverpool.com) |
|
|
Liverpool 8 - 3 Tranmere Rovers
| Wednesday 29 May 1940 19:00
Western Division |
| |
|
|
| Liverpool |
Tranmere
Rovers |
| 8 - 3 (1-3) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Hanson, Nieuwenhuys 2 goals, Doherty 2
goals, Carney 2 goals, Liddell, |
Davies, Yates, Hodgson |
| |
|
1 Frank Swift
2 Ray Lambert
3 Jack Tennant
4 George Murphy
5 Alan Brown
6 Eddie Spicer
7 Billy Liddell
8 Len Carney
9 Berry Nieuwenhuys
10 Peter Doherty
11 Alf Hanson |
|
1 Billy Teasdale
- Ted Anderson
- Arthur Owen
- Howarth
- William Cartwright
- R Hodgson
- Llew Ashcroft
- Ernie Davies
- Yates
- John Griffiths
- B Jones |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: W H E Jones |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 5,000 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
(Tranmere R) |
Notes:
- In this match for Liverpool F.C. played 6 guest players: Frank Swift (Manchester
City), Jack Tennant (Stoke City), George Murphy (Bradford City), Alan Brown (Huddersfield
Town), Peter Doherty (Manchester City), Alf Hanson (Chelsea).
- There are other data by quantity of spectators on this match: 1,000 spectators..
- 1-0 Hanson. |
|
|
New Brighton 0 - 0 Liverpool
| Saturday 1 June 1940 Western
Division |
| |
| |
|
| New
Brighton |
Liverpool |
| 0 - 0 (0-0) |
| |
| GOAL |
| |
|
| |
| |
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- |
|
1 Frank Swift
2 Ron Guttridge
3 Jack Tennant
4 George Murphy
5 Alan Brown
6 Ray Lambert
7 Billy Liddell
8 Len Carney
9 Berry Nieuwenhuys
10 George Walton
11 Harman Van Den Berg |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Rake Lane (capacity )
Attendance: 1,500 |
(New B)
George Kay (Liverpool) |
|
|
|
Liverpool (Reds) 5 - 3 Liverpool
(Whites)
| Wednesday 9 August 1939 Friendly |
| |
|
|
| Liverpool (Reds) |
Liverpool (Whites) |
| 5 - 3 ( - ) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Balmer, Taylor, Nieuwenhuys 3 goals |
Done 3 goals |
| |
|
1 Dirk Kemp
- Jim Harley
- Bernard Ramsden
- Matt Busby (c)
- Tom Bush
- Jimmy McInnes
- Berry Nieuwenhuys
- Phil Taylor
- Willie Fagan
- Jack Balmer
- Harman Van Den Berg |
 |
1 George Poland
- Fred Rogers
- Keith Peters
- Ray Lambert
- John Easdale
- Bob Paisley
- William Pinnington
- Harry Eastham
- Cyril Done
- George Paterson
- Bill Kinghorn
Subs:
- Stan Eastham |
| |
| SUBSTITUTIONS |
| |
? (Eastham 46) |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 4,000 |
George Kay (Liverpool Reds)
(Liverpool Whites) |
Notes:
- Reds - virtually the first team.Whites - the main “unknown qualities.
- The Liverpool football team, wearing numbers at the back of their shirts, in
their first practice match of the season last night. |
|
George
Poland and Bob Paisley please at Anfield
Wednesday, August 9 – 1939
Reds beat the Whites.
Football trials cut little ice as a rule, but last night’s Anfield “preview”
cut a lot of good turf and showed the newcomers in a good light. Reds – virtually the
first team – put up five goals to the three obtained by Whites and the main “unknown
qualities,” Poland, the goalkeeper who was signed from Wrexham, and Paisley, a left
half-back from the famous North-Eastern amateur
side, Bishop Auckland, were as impressive as they could be in this type of game.
Poland had five shots past him, but that is not to say that he failed, since he was
facing the first team attack and their shooting was rarely at fault. Indeed, some of the
balls which beat him were real cannon “fodder” and Nieuwenhuys, in particular, was in
his strongest shooting vein. In build and style and general outlook Poland is remarkably
like Elisha Scott. He has the
same “nervy” Scott style while he is bobbing about changing position and there is no
doubt that even though he was beaten often he is a very live candidate for the Anfield
goalkeeping berth.
Paisley a worker.
Paisley, who signed professional on coming to Anfield, is one of those sturdy
never-say-die half-backs. On this display he at least commended himself as being an honest
worker with some of the necessary attributes for the rigorous of the game. Naturally the
known quantities did their jobs in the usual smooth style, but at a varying degree of
earnestness.
And that is why trials may often be misleading, since the man who has to prove
himself often goes far on that task thanks to the inability of an opponent to really get
down to a match that means little or nothing. It was good to see Fagan’s sturdy frame
doing its work again and Nieuwenhuys was particularly noteworthy for his three goals, even
if he did not appear to be
in the game for long spells.
Hat trick” for Done.
The club tried the experiment of playing a young Liverpool boy, Done, who has been
on the staff for some time, at centre forward in the Whites’ front line and he got a “hat
trick” of goals against the better defence in nice style, and showed that he wanted a
lot of moving off the ball. Easdale, at centre half for Whites, headed the ball extremely
well and was outstanding
of his line, so Liverpool must feel that the time is coming when they will have to
consider his claims. At the moment he is short of physical attributes rather than ones
concerned with his ability to play football.
Balmer, Phil Taylor, and Nieuwenhuys (3) scored for the winners, and Done (3) for
Whites. At the interval, Lambert, who had suffered a knock in training, was left out of
Whites and Sergeant Eastham was brought in in his place. Kemp’s best work was the saving
of Done’s penalty kick when a foul by Ramsden on Paterson produced the award.
Result: Reds 5, Whites 3.
Reds: Dirk Kemp, Jim Harley, Bernard Ramsden, Matt
Busby, Tom Bush, James McInnes, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Phil Taylor, Willie Fagan, Jack Balmer,
Herman Van den Berg.
Whites: George Poland, Fred Rogers, Keith Peters, Ray
Lambert (Stan Eastham after interval), Jack Easdale, Bob Paisley, William Pinnington,
Harry Eastham, Cyril Done, George Paterson, Bill Kinghorn.
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post, 10-08-1939 - Transcribed by playupliverpool.com |
Liverpool 2 - 1 Everton
| Saturday 19 August 1939 15:15
Benefit match |
| |
|
 |
| Liverpool |
Everton |
| 2 - 1 (1-0) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Taylor 9, Balmer 54 |
Lawton |
| |
|
1 George Poland
2 Jim Harley
3 Bernard Ramsden
4 Matt Busby (c)
5 Tom Bush
6 James McInnes
7 Berry Nieuwenhuys
8 Phil Taylor
9 Willie Fagan
10 Jack Balmer
11 Harman Van Den Berg |
 |
1 Ted Sagar
2 Billy Cook
3 Norman Greenhalgh
4 Joe Mercer
5 Tommy Jones
6 Gordon Watson
7 Torry Gillick
8 Stan Bentham
9 Tommy Lawton
10 Alex Stevenson
11 Wally Boyes |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: W H E Evans
(Liverpool) Linesmen: S N Roberts (Red striped Flag), L E Slater (Blue
striped Flag) |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 15,222 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
Theo Kelly (Everton) |
Notes:
- Benefit for the Football League – Jubilee Fund.
- 2-1 Lawton. |
|
Liverpool
v Everton 2-1 (Benefit match, Football League Jubilee Fund)
Saturday, August 19 – 1939
Match: Benefit for the Football League – Jubilee Fund, at Anfield, kick-off:
15:15.
Liverpool – Everton 2-1 (1-0).
Attendance: 15,222; gate receipts: J722.
Liverpool (2-3-5): George Poland, Jim Harley, Bernard
Ramsden, Matt Busby,
Tom Bush, James McInnes, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Phil Taylor, Willie Fagan, Jack
Balmer, Herman Van den Berg.
Everton (2-3-5): Ted Sagar, Billy Cook, Norman Greenhalgh, Joe Mercer, Tommy
Jones, Gordon Watson, Torry Gillick, Stan Bentham, Tommy Lawton, Alex
Stevenson, Wally Boyes.
The goals: 1-0 Taylor (9 min.), 2-0 Balmer (54 min.), 2-1 Lawton.
Everton Beaten by Odd Goal of Three.
Hard and Well-Fought Game.
Liverpool beat Everton by 2 goals to 1 in the Football League Jubilee Fund match at
Anfield, but a better verdict would have been a draw. No matter, the results means little
or nothing. The football was the main consideration, and It is to the credit of both
winners and losers that nit
was an anything but boring exhibition –as so many of these charity matches are. At times
it was difficult to realise that there was nothing at stake except the usual bonus. There
have been many less acceptable League fixtures the clubs. Everyone went practically full
out and there was an element of danger on occasion because the earnestness and the heat of
the day engendered fraction. Probably Everton, as champions, felt they should loss.
Liverpool too, had the spur to make it a “straight” game because they were meeting the
best side in the country, judged on last season’s records, I doubt whether any other
Jubilee fixture was so hard and well-fought and so interesting to those who were only too
willing to help the professional footballer of the future financially, whilst indulging
their passion for the
winter sport. Rarely does one get, in the season proper, the heat of the day as
experienced now. It said a lot for training that the pace, well set, should he almost
maintained from end to end. The only flagging was done by the linesman –and that
officially!
Everton Forwards Impress.
The assertion that Everton deserved to draw may produce an opposite view, but my
estimation of the game was that they were the better side for a long spell in the first
half and again in the second period. Liverpool had moments when they played unbeatably
well, but Everton, I though, were more together as a side, and had Liverpool pulling hard
in defence towards the end when the side in the lead had some hairbreadth escapes from
losing their
advantage. The Everton forwards impressed the writer as being the more effective combined
force. Liverpool’s front line strength, when it came, was largely divided between one
wing or the other, and able as was their football on these occasions they did not sweep
through as effortlessly as the opposition. Of such a game it is obviously right and proper
to say that
although everyone played hard the tendency to ease up to avoid possible injury was
apparent. No one would wish a player to risk a serious knock in such a match. Nine minutes
from the start Taylor scored for Liverpool, when he and Nieuwenhuys both men in unison to
convert Van Den Berg’s pulled back centre. Nieuwenhuys was concerned in the second goal.
His penchant for shooting is such that nine out of ten people who know his play expected
him
to shoot when he cut in and had no opposition save Sagar. But unselfishly he planted the
ball so that Balmer could hardly fail. A free kick taken by Greenhalgh was the lead up to
Lawton’s headed goal, and the Everton leader was close up to adding to this several
times afterwards. Previously he had made a great shot, a full drive of characteristic
power, and Kemp had
rehabilitated himself in the minds of Liverpool followers with a superlative save. Kemp
did not field the ball as neatly as he can at best but he did well. He gave the impression
of playing to orders in cutting out as many unnecessary risk as possible in view of
Liverpool’s goalkeeper ill-luck. They have two on the injured list thus early.
Encirclement!
I liked Busby’s quiet and effective use of the ball, but on this occasion he had
to take second place to Tom Jones, another stylist, whose command of the centre of the
field, and with such assurance and confidence, makes him the best centre half in the game.
By comparison Bush looked almost clumsy, but Bush got through any amount of stein work
with his head, and only when Everton kept the ball on the ground did he fail to become
master of Lawton. Once Lawton had made his cannon-ball shot, Liverpool concentrated on
crowding him out to a point where he became the victim of a policy of encirclement.
Gillick’s knock prevented him from being numbered among the winners who were
outstanding. Van Den Berg struck something like his real form, and was too quick off the
mark for the comfort of Cook. Both half-back
lines were strong and sure in most of their work, yet Mercer failed to reach his own high
standard. Liverpool’s inside three were breath taking in their inspired moments, but
again the finishing touch did not come easily to them.
Result Liverpool 2, Everton 1.
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post, 21-08-1939 - Transcribed by playupliverpool.com |
Chester 0 - 5 Liverpool
| Saturday 16 September 1939 15:15
Friendly |
| |
| |
|
| Chester |
Liverpool |
| 0 - 5 (0-1) |
| |
| GOAL |
| |
Fagan 14, 50, Nieuwenhuys 70, Balmer
80, Carney 84 |
| |
| |
1 Bill Shortt
- Vic Brown
- Ted Common
- Harold Howarth
- Trevor Walters
- Reg Butcher
- Bill Horsman
- Joe McGough
- Dick Yates
- Bill Pendergast
- Frank Marsh |
|
1 Dirk Kemp
- Jim Harley
- Bernard Ramsden
- Matt Busby (c)
- Tom Bush
- John Easdale
- Berry Nieuwenhuys
- Willie Fagan
- Jack Balmer
- Len Carney
- Harman Van Den Berg |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Sealand Road (capacity )
Attendance: 5,659 |
(Chester)
George Kay (Liverpool) |
|
|
Chester
v Liverpool 0-5 (War time, friendly match)
Saturday, September 16 – 1939
Match: Friendly, at Sealand Road, kick-off: 15:15.
Chester – Liverpool 0-5 (0-1).
Attendance: 5,659; gate recepits: J300.
Chester (2-3-5): Bill Shortt, Vic Brown, Ted Common, Harold Howarth, Trevor
Walters, Reg Butcher, Bill Horsman, Joe McGough, Dick Yates, Bill Pendergast, Frank Marsh.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Dirk Kemp, Jim Harley, Bernard
Ramsden, Matt Busby, Tom Bush, Jack Easdale, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Jack Balmer, Willie Fagan,
Len Carney, Herman Van den Berg.
The goals: 0-1 Fagan (14 min.), 0-2 Fagan (50 min.), 0-3 Nieuwenhuys (70 min.), 0-4
Balmer (80 min.), 0-5 Carney (84 min.).
Liverpool score five.
Keen game at Chester.
Liverpool’s match at Chester produced a 5-0 victory and a gate worth ?300. Long
before the end there was more than a hint of the keenness of a full-blooded cup-tie.
Chester took the match seriously, but when they found their football was not in the same
class as that of their opponents they began to “mix it” and Liverpool went on to get
all the goals they could.
Actually, it was a bright and earnest match. Fagan’s shot produced the only goal
of the first half. Fagan drifted in a soft header; Nieuwenhuys followed a 40-yards’ run
with a placed shot; Balmer also added a spectacular goal, and the Liverpool Collegiate
amateur, L.F. Carney, nodded the fifth.
There were several occasions when Dirk Kemp’s brilliant and resolute goalkeeping
kept Chester out, they were worth a couple of goals. Bush’s height and weight was always
a little too much for Yates. McGough and Pendergast played well. Harley and Ramsden gave
the wingmen little room, Busby was not at his best. Balmer was best of a good forward
line. Chester’s best defender was Walters, and though Common was often caught napping by
Nieuwenhuys’s speed. Brown did better against Van Den Berg.
Result; Chester 0, Liverpool 5.
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post, 18-09-1939 - Transcribed by playupliverpool.com |
Liverpool 3 - 0 Bolton Wanderers
| Saturday 23 September 1939 15:15
Friendly |
| |
|
 |
| Liverpool |
Bolton
Wanderers |
| 3 - 0 (2-0) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Balmer 33, 38, Busby |
|
| |
|
1 Arthur Riley
- Jim Harley
- Bernard Ramsden
- Matt Busby (c)
- Tom Bush
- John Easdale
- Berry Nieuwenhuys
- Phil Taylor
- Willie Fagan
- Jack Balmer
- Harman Van Den Berg |
 |
1 Stan Hanson
- Danny Winter
- Catterall
- Harry Goslin
- Jack Hurst
- Ernie Forrest
- Albert Geldard
- Thomas Sinclair
- Les Roberts
- Ray Westwood
- Don Howe |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: W H E Evans
(Liverpool) |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 6,000 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
Charles Fowerake (Bolton W) |
Notes:
- 3-0 Busby. |
|
Liverpool
v Bolton Wanderers 3-0 (War time, friendly match)
Saturday, September 23 – 1939
Match: Friendly, at Anfield, kick-off: 15:15.
Liverpool – Bolton Wanderers 3-0 (2-0).
Attendance: 6,000.
Referee: Mr. W.H.E. Evans.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Arthur Riley, Jim Harley, Bernard
Ramsden, Matt Busby, Tom Bush, Jack Easdale, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Phil Taylor, Willie Fagan,
Jack Balmer, Herman Van Den Berg.
Bolton Wanderers (2-3-5): Stan Hanson, Danny Winter, Catterall, Harry Goslin, Jack
Hurst, Ernie Forrest, Albert Geldard, Thomas Sinclair, Les Roberts, Ray Westwood, Don
Howe.
The goals: 1-0 Balmer (33 min.), 2-0 Balmer (38 min.), 3-0 Busby.
Liverpool’s fine form.
Van Den Berg’s skill at Anfield.
Liverpool followed their 5-0 win at Chester by beating Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at
Anfield.
Admitting the game was not at top gear, it showed that Liverpool have hit the mark
with two young players whose ability to make good in Division I, may have been in some
doubt for one reason or another. Van Den Berg, after an injury, failed to find his real
form until this season; Easdale, brought in at left back, has shown such form in two
matches there that he could be played in this unaccustomed berth without adverse effect to
himself or to the club.
Van Den Berg has never played so brilliantly as in this match. He made the defence
go the wrong way so often we had to refer to the programme to make sure that it was Bolton’s
full first team defence on that flank. Van Den Berg was quicksilver in football boots. The
crowd was tickled by his ability to extricate himself from two or three opponents and
still bring the ball with him.
Balmer and Taylor “killed” the ball in their expert style, and Balmer “killed”
Hanson’s great goalkeeping with two nice shots that put his side well on top. The third
was obtained by Busby. Bush did grand work, but Bolton were remiss in their finishing.
Riley had little to do, thanks to Bolton’s shortcoming and the fine full back work of
Harley and Ramsden.
Result: Liverpool 3, Bolton Wanderers 0.
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post, 25-09-1939 - Transcribed by playupliverpool.com |
Blackburn Rovers 0 - 5 Liverpool
| Saturday 30 September 1939
Friendly |
| |
| |
|
| Blackburn
Rovers |
Liverpool |
| 0 - 5 (0-3) |
| |
| GOAL |
| |
Taylor 2 goals (15, ?), Balmer 22,
Niewenhuys 42, Fagan |
| |
 |
1 Jim Barron
- Ernie Lanceley
- Walter Crook
- Billy Lee
- Bob Pryde
- Jock Wightman
- Billy Rogers
- Len Butt
- Tom Hargreaves
- Bobby Langton
- Jack Chew |
|
1 Arthur Riley
- Jim Harley
- Bernard Ramsden
- Matt Busby (c)
- Tom Bush
- John Easdale
- Berry Nieuwenhuys
- Phil Taylor
- Willie Fagan
- Jack Balmer
- Harman Van Den Berg |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: A Cunliffe
(Blackburn) |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Ewood Park (capacity )
Attendance: |
Bob Crompton (Blackburn R)
George Kay (Liverpool) |
Notes:
- 0-4 Fagan, 0-5 Taylor.. |
|
Blackburn
Rovers v Liverpool 0-5 (War time, friendly match)
Saturday, September 30 – 1939
Match: Friendly, at Ewood Park.
Blackburn Rovers – Liverpool 0-5 (0-3).
Attendance: .
Referee: Mr. A. Cunliffe (Blackburn).
Blackburn Rovers (2-3-5): Jim Barron, Ernie Lanceley, Walter Crook, Billy Lee, Bob
Pryde, Jock Wightman, Billy Rogers, Len Butt, Tom Hargreaves, Bobby Langton, Jack Chew.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Arthur Riley, Jim Harley, Bernard Ramsden, Matt Busby, Tom Bush,
Jack Easdale, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Phil Taylor, Willie Fagan, Jack Balmer, Herman Van den
Berg.
The goals: 0-1 Taylor (15 min.), 0-2 Balmer (22 min.), 0-3 Nieuwenhuys (42 min.),
0-4 Fagan, 0-5 Taylor.
Liverpool’s classic display.
Some of the side had one a route march.
Circumstances conspired against Liverpool F.C., but they have rarely played better
than when beating Blackburn Rovers by 5 goals to nothing. Everything went badly for the
winners until the match actually started. They had difficulty in getting the release of
their army players; the team had to change into their football kit while travelling in the
motor-coach which took them from Liverpool to Blackburn, and even then the kick-off was 10
minutes late. As if this were not enough, some of the men in side had just come from a
12-miles route march.
The strange thing was that when everything pointed to their playing indifferently
they played outstandingly well. Once Rogers had struck the bar with a penalty award
against Riley in the early minutes, Liverpool put up one of the finest exhibitions of
first class, fluent, effective football I have ever seen. They were five magnificent
goals, and if Van Den Berg had not been off the field through injury for a margin of the
second half he would have rounded off his side’s grand work by being the fifth of the
forwards to beat Barron.
Phil Taylor’s first goal came after an inspired move to go through on his own to
beat the offside trap. Nieuwenhuys followed with a bullet shot; Balmer with a go-as-you
please shot after a marvellous interchange of passes. Fagan hit the shot of the match to
get the fourth, and Taylor timed a centre and swept it in beautifully for the fifth. There
were other pieces of forward work that proved Liverpool to have the finest inside three of
any club in the country.
Busby played well, but Easdale was not quite so good as he had been against Bolton.
Bush blotted out practically all danger to Riley when the ball was in the air, and Riley
and his full backs were so obviously on top form that Blackburn’s efforts looked puny.
Result: Liverpool 5, Blackburn Rovers 0.
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post, 02-10-1939 - Transcribed by playupliverpool.com |
L
L
Liverpool 0 - 1 Preston North
End
Liverpool 2 - 3 Everton
| Monday 25 December 1939 11:30
Friendly |
| |
|
|
| Liverpool |
Everton |
| 2 - 3 (2-0) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Fagan 2 goals |
Lawton, Jones p, Sweeney 88 |
| |
|
1 Dirk Kemp
- Tom Cooper
- Bernard Ramsden
- Matt Busby (c)
- Walter Halsall
- Fred Rogers
- Berry Nieuwenhuys
- Willie Fagan
- Cyril Done
- Len Carney
- Harman Van Den Berg |
|
1 Ted Sagar
- George Jackson
- Norman Greenhalgh
- Joe Mercer
- Tommy Jones
- Gordon Watson
- Fred Sweeney
- Stan Bentham
- Tommy Lawton
- Alex Stevenson
- Wally Boyes |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: W H E Evans
(Liverpool) |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Anfield (capacity )
Attendance: 7,679 |
George Kay (Liverpool)
Theo Kelly (Everton) |
Notes:
- Grand match.
- 1-0 Fagan, 2-0 Fagan, 2-1 Lawton, 2-2 Jones. |
|
Liverpool
v Everton 2-3 (War time, friendly match)
Monday, December 25 – 1939
Match: Friendly, at Anfield, kick-off: 11:30.
Liverpool – Everton 2-3 (2-0).
Attendance: 7,679.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Dirk Kemp, Tommy Cooper, Bernard
Ramsden, Matt Busby (C), Walter Halsall, Fred Rogers, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Willie Fagan,
Cyril Done, Len Carney, Herman Van den Berg.
Everton (2-3-5): Ted Sagar, George Jackson, Norman Greenhalgh, Joe Mercer, Tommy
Jones, Gordon Watson, Fred Sweeney, Stan Bentham, Tommy Lawton, Alex Stevenson, Wally
Boyes.
The goals: 1-0 Fagan, 2-0 Fagan, 2-1 Lawton, 2-2 Jones (Penalty), 2-3
Sweeney (89 min.).
Christmas Day game.
Everton beat Liverpool with virtually the last kick of the match on Christmas Day
at Anfield of the match on Christmas Day at Anfield. It was a worthy success though
belated because Liverpool had taken a 2 goals lead and looked unlikely to concede goals
Peace or pre-war time, there could not have been a more interesting match. Fagan got 2
glorious goals; Lawton, Jones, (Penalty), and Sweeney the young Northwich boy, did the
scoring for Everton. For three parts of the game it was the science of football. Once
Everton saw their chance of recovery it might have been a vital cup-tie. The sensational
ending was in keeping with the thrills of the later period.
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post, 27-12-1939 - Transcribed by playupliverpool.com |
Everton 2 - 1 Liverpool
| Tuesday 26 December 1940 14:30
Friendly |
| |
|
|
| Everton |
Liverpool |
| 2 - 1 (1-0) |
| |
| GOAL |
| Boyes 40, 60 |
Busby 89 p |
| |
|
1 Ted Sagar (c)
- George Jackson
- Norman Greenhalgh
- Maurice Hill
- Tommy Jones
- Maurice Lindley
- Simmons
- Stan Bentham
- Bunny Bell
- Alex Stevenson
- Wally Boyes |
|
1 Dirk Kemp
- Jack Tennant
- Bernard Ramsden
- Matt Busby
- Tom Bush
- Stanley Eastham
- George Leadbetter
- Berry Nieuwenhuys
- Cyril Done
- Len Carney
- Harman Van Den Berg |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Goodison Park (capacity )
Attendance: 8,572 |
Theo Kelly (Everton)
George Kay (Liverpool) |
|
|
Everton
v Liverpool 2-1 (War time, friendly match)
Tuesday, December 26 – 1939
Match: Friendly, at Goodison Park, kick-off: 14:30.
Everton – Liverpool 2-1 (1-0).
Attendance: 8,572.
Everton (2-3-5): Ted Sagar (C), George Jackson, Norman Greenhalgh, Maurice Hill,
Tommy Jones, Maurice Lindley, Simmons, Stan Bentham, Bunny Bell, Alex Stevenson, Wally
Boyes.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Dirk Kemp, Jack Tennant, Bernard
Ramsden, Matt Busby, Tom Bush, Stan Eastham, George Leadbetter, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Cyril
Done, Len Carney, Herman Van den Berg.
The goals: 1-0 Boyes (40 min.), 2-0 Boyes (60 min.), 2-1 Busby (Penalty, 89 min.).
Everton complete the double.
The Everton and Liverpool return friendly did not produce the good football nor the
thrills of the first meeting. It may be that the players were feeling the strain of three
games in four days. There were patches of good combination, but taken throughout the play
never reached that high standard usually associated with Merseyside “Derby” games.
Both teams showed changes and the experimental line of Liverpool’s attack did not
quite fill the bill. Nieuwenhuys at inside right started the game on the top note in that
he was a keen shooter, and Sagar had to make at least two excellent saves from the South
African. But that was almost the extent of the Liverpool shooting and Everton’s attack
was not a great deal better in this respect so that most of the play was confined to
midfield and goal incidents were few and far between.
Everton won because they took their chances and the scorer, Boyes, who took a goal
in each half, had to be complimented on being in the right place at the right moment.
Busby Shows The Way.
Liverpool had the opportunities for making a draw, for they had two penalty kicks
awarded, but only one of them found the net. Eastham (S.) took the first one, and decided
that power of boot would serve him best. It failed him, for Sagar made a save under his
bar. Busby took the second one, and he showed how penalties should be taken. He relied
upon, the placed shot, the one which gives a goalkeeper no chance. He strolled up to the
ball without any flurry and piloted it right away from Sagar, who had no chance whatever.
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post, 27-12-1939 - Transcribed by playupliverpool.com |
Preston North End 1 - 3
Liverpool
| Saturday 30 December 1940 14:20
Friendly |
| |
 |
|
| Preston
North End |
Liverpool |
| 1 - 3 (1-1) |
| |
| GOAL |
| O'Donnell 38 |
Fagan 7, Done 2 goals (?, 90) |
| |
 |
1 Harry Holdcroft
- Frank Gallimore
- Williams
- Bill Shankly
- Tom Smith
- Bob Batey
- Jimmy Dougal
- George Mutch
- Frank O'Donnell
- Bobby Beattie
- Hugh O'Donnell |
|
1 Arthur Riley
- Jack Tennant
- Bernard Ramsden
- Matt Busby (c)
- Walter Halsall
- Stanley Eastham
- George Leadbetter
- Willie Fagan
- Cyril Done
- Len Carney
- Billy Liddell |
| |
| OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS |
| Referee: J H Hargreaves
(Preston) |
| |
|
| VENUE |
MANAGERS |
Deepdale (capacity )
Attendance: 4,000 |
(Preston N E)
George Kay (Liverpool) |
Notes:
- 1-2 Done. |
|
Preston
North End v Liverpool 1-3 (War time, friendly match)
Saturday, December 30 – 1939
Match: Friendly, at Deepdale, kick-off: 14:20.
Preston North End – Liverpool 1-3 (1-1).
Attendance: 4,000.
Referee: Mr. J.H. Hargreaves (Preston).
Preston North End (2-3-5): Harry Holdcroft, Frank Gallimore, Williams, Bill
Shankly, Tom Smith, Bob Batey, Jimmy Dougal, George Mutch, Frank O’Donnell, Bobby
Beattie, Hugh O’Donnell.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Arthur Riley, Jack Tennant, Bernard
Ramsden, Matt Busby (C), Walter Halsall, Stan Eastham, George Leadbetter, Willie Fagan,
Cyril Done, Len Carney, Billy Liddell.
The goals: 0-1 Fagan (7 min.), 1-1 F. O’Donnell (38 min,), 1-2 Done, 1-3 Done (90
min.).
Liverpool win at Deepdale.
Busby’s part in the victory.
Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at Preston was something in the nature of a minor
miracle. The losers included all those well-known names – many of them internationals
– and Liverpool had six first teamers off duty, but that did not alter the fact that the
scratch eleven showed up well by comparison and won in the end with something to spare.
Certainly if one had not known the nature of the sides it would have been hard to
discover which came with so many reserves. In conditions that were not favourable to
football it was a wonderfully interesting match. I wish we could have such friendlies week
by week. There would be no talk of football apathy in such circumstances.
Preston became a goal down when Fagan, who used to belong to that club, placed a
nice shot cleverly and well out of Holdcroft’s reach. Frank O’Donnell equalised, but
Done, one of the Reserve units in his side, snatched two useful goals, to make the Preston
position hopeless.
Desperate defence.
If Preston had finished with anything like power Liverpool’s task would have been
hopeless. As it was, some desperate defence by Ramsden and Riley and Tennant prevented
many Preston rallies from maturing. In the second it was nearly all the home side, but
scoring movements broke down almost continuously. The man who promoted this unusual
Liverpool side to success was Busby.
In addition to his half-back duties he often went far up into the attack, and one
prolonged individual effort of his on the right wing was his best piece of work for
months. Halsall was inclined to be slow, but he had the merit of being able to get the
ball to Busby.
Eastham, like Busby, was at his best when in the attacking role. As for the attack
it rested largely on the shoulders of Fagan. He played particularly well, and Carney and
Liddell made up as good a left wing as the club has enjoyed for some weeks.
Leadbetter tried hard but was a bit outclassed in international company. Preston’s
best were Mutch, who had an extremely luckless game, and the right wing pair, who made the
pace terrifically hot in the second half.
Result: Preston North End 1, Liverpool 3.
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post, 01.01.1940, by ‘L.E.E.’ - Transcribed by
playupliverpool.com |
L
L13Fr
|
Price: 2d
Price: 2d
