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Evertoniano 100
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THE future success of the two Evertons was toasted when the Shareholders Association held their annual dinner at Goodison Park recently.
The theme of this year's dinner was the centenary of the Everton in Chile, which was formed in 1909 a few weeks after Everton had sailed from Britain to South America with Tottenham Hotspur to play a series of exhibition games.
Guest of honour was Ray Wilson, the only Everton player to have played at both Everton grounds. Ray was not only England's left-back in the 1966 World Cup finals, but also in the 1962 tournament which was held in Chile.
The World Cup parallels between Goodison Park and Everton's Sausalito stadium in Viña del Mar are remarkable. In both 1962 and 1966, Brazil played all their group games at the Everton stadiums. In both tournaments, a quarter-final and semi-final were played at the Everton stadiums.
And in 1962 and 1966 the draw worked in such a way that the host nation was earmarked to play their semi-final at Everton ? only for there to be a controversial switch that resulted in the host nation playing their semi-final at the national stadium.
The 1962 quarter-final played at Everton was between England and Brazil who had the player of the tournament in Garrincha. Ray Wilson signed a framed photograph of himself tackling the legendary Brazilian and this was one of a number of items auctioned during the evening.
Around £2,000 was raised which will be shared between the Everton Former Players Foundation and a special needs school in Viña del Mar.
Also in attendance was club chairman Bill Kenwright, who wished our Chilean cousins every success as they represent their country in the Copa Libertadores, the cup competition for the top clubs of South America. Other guests included Dave Hickson, Honorary President of the Ruleteros Society which was set up in 2002 to help forge links between supporters of the two Evertons. He was joined by Derek Mountfield, Gordon West, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool ? Councillor Steve Rotheram, and City Council leader Warren Bradley.
The Shareholders Association were delighted to welcome more than 20 guests from the Liverpool office of the Chilean shipping line CSAV.
The meal had a distinct Chilean flavour, having been prepared with the assistance of Julio Arellano, proprietor of the Valparaiso Restaurant in Liverpool city centre and Chilean vice-consul to the city. Dave Hickson presented him with a gift to pass on to the Chilean Everton.
After the dinner, there were two videotaped messages screened from Antonio Bloise, president of the Chilean Everton, and Juan Foxley, nephew of one of the founders in 1909, which were warmly received:
Tony Heslop, vice-chairman of the Everton Shareholders Association and president of the Ruleteros Society, said: "It was a great, heart-warming evening which helped to further cement the unique friendship between the two Evertons and their supporters."
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Won?t see the blues in the US this year, so will be monitoring the summer "friendly" situation closely and will make every effort to arrange a "holiday" to Chile should it come about... fingers crossed.
Bob, sympathise with you regarding "that" semi-final, it still gets my goat as I watched the 3 Goodison and 3 OT matches in that group, along with the North Korea match ? Portugal were by far the best international side I have ever seen. If they hadn?t of switched that match, I have no doubt in my mind that Portugal would have gone on to win the World Cup.
But I remember as a 9-year-old being deeply affronted that 65,000 Goodison was being jettisoned so England could play at Wembley. Interesting how it was thought a Wembley crowd would be more supportive, or was it that the suits of the day couldn?t be arsed getting the British Rail Pullman north?
Interesting suggestion that Portugal would have beaten England if the semi had not been at Wembley. Good quiz question these days, I think: Who were the losing semi-finalists at Goodison in the 1966 World Cup? Supposedly a boring game, according to what I have read.
With the language, geography and history issues, I reckon the two Evertons should be part of the National Curriculum.
I think the score was 2-1 or 2-0 and the ground seemed half empty. Though for some reason there were a lot of squadies from BAOR, like me and many others who bought tickets on the strength of the posted draw...nothing changes.
The only Russian I knew was the legendary Lev Yashin who made a couple of good saves.
The England game not withstanding, the ticket prices for the Gwladys St was still good value, ( 7 shillings and 6 pence per game Vs 3 shillings for a league game) given the quality of the prelims and quarters. Even if Bulgaria did come to kick lumps off the Brazilians.
The outlandish time wasting by the Portugese Goalie Vs N Korea led directly to the keeper rules we have now.
I understood that the police, etc., wanted it switched for "security" reasons - yeah, right!
One of our friends is or should I say WAS a red but the history and company she was in I think has changed her (she was even draped around Dixie on the way home). Gordon West is off his rocker and Ray Wilson and Dave Hickson were gents. So come on Everton ? get something sorted out with our cousins from across the water for their centenary. COYB
Realistically, what’s your honest "gut-feeling" concerning the chances of Everton visiting Chile for this centenary match? I know it would be a helluva long travel for the squad - especially with the shortish pre-season. Do I presume it won’t be this year?
And thanks for the updates on the Everton Dos - fascinating and exciting.
Would love to see both teams play, see if any young chileans we could tempt over haha.
Anyone know where you can get hold of their top from?
Great stuff - and lovely speech by Juan Foxley.
How can I join the Ruleteros?
Yours,
Rob
We do have a website
ruleteros.co.uk
but due to illness it has not been updated
And, anyway, we like to keep the spirit of 1909 going.
What a superb story ? a Club started by 15 year old kids, two of whom still gave their lives for Britain in the Great War, and maintained a corner of Merseyside on the far side of the world. It knocks today?s Sky et al circus into a cocked hat!
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1 Posted 28/03/2009 at 15:29:03
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While on YouTube, I spotted this Centenary feature from Sky Sports (broadcast last July) that I was not aware of, featuring John Shearon and providing an excellent synopsis of the historical connection: