Alex 'Sandy' Young tribute

By Paul Wharton 21/08/2014

On Wednesday, 3rd September, 2014, 12:30pm at Seafield Cemetery Edinburgh, The EFC Heritage Society, together with Everton Football Club, will pay tribute to one of Scotland's great Centre Forwards, Alex "Sandy" Young.

Alex started his football career with Slamannan FC, progressing to play for St. Mirren, who let him play for Falkirk FC. This is where the goal scorer captured the eye of an English team Everton FC.

So in 1901 began the goal scoring love affair with Evertonians. In 10 years for The Toffees he scored 127 goals, and with 12 goals against Liverpool this made Alex the highest goal scorer after Dixie Dean in both League goals and Derby Goals.

1906 was to be Alex's greatest achievement, scoring the winning goal in the final of The English Cup at Crystal Palace, bringing The Cup back to The City of Liverpool.

After a decade of service to Everton, Alex was transferred to Spurs leaving Evertonians unhappy with this decision. Upon his return to Goodison Park, the crowd showed their appreciation to him, even after Alex scored for Spurs it did not dampen the applause for their Former Blue.

Alex went on to play a handful of games for Man City before ending his Professional Football Career.

After hanging up his boots, he took up farming in Australia, buying the farm next to the one he had previously sent his brother over to buy.

In 1916, the Young Brothers' lives were about to change – Alex shot his brother John and then turned the gun on himself, aiming at his own face.

John sadly died whilst Alex lived.

Alex was to be sent to trial for murder, however Alex's two sisters came to Goodison Park from Edinburgh to see Will Cuff, Everton FC's Secretary/Manager. Will promised that written evidence would be sent to Australia stating that Alex was, under the two doctors on the board, being treated for a mental health condition.

The charges were dropped to manslaughter and Alex was found guilty, serving 3 years in an asylum and he returned to Scotland upon his release. In 1959 Alex "Sandy" Young sadly died in a mental care home in Portobello in Edinburgh.

After a newspaper article in December 2013, Bryan Cleeton came forward. Bryan is the Great-Grandson of Helen Cleeton, one of the sisters who visited Will Cuff.

Bryan came to visit Goodison Park and was delighted to see how much respect Evertonians still have for his Uncle Sandy. He brought with him the Scotland Shirt Alex wore against England in 1905 to be put on Display.

When the EFC Heritage Society realised that Alex was buried in the Poor House grave, we went to meet Robert Elstone, EFC CEO, who said "yes" without any hesitation to our request for a new headstone. We have shared the cost with the Club and with the great support from Evertonians, donating both small and large amounts. Our Patron Neville Southall was a fantastic contributor in this project!

Guest List:
Sir Philip Carter, Everton Football Club Life President
Robert Elstone, Everton Football Club CEO
Neville Southall, Everton Heritage Society Patron
Alex Young (Golden Vision)
Graeme Sharp
Andy Gray
Duncan Ferguson
Scottish FA
English FA
P.F.A
Slamannan FC
St. Mirren FC & Falkirk FC

Any Evertonians who wish to come along on the day to the cemetery are most welcome.

Address:

Seafield Cemetery Edinburgh,
Seafield Road,
Edinburgh
EH6 7LD

Reader Comments (8)

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Colin Glassar
1 Posted 21/08/2014 at 20:45:03

We never forget our own.

Steve Austin
2 Posted 22/08/2014 at 01:53:23

It is these things that make me proud to be an Evertonian. I try to explain this to the many fans I meet where I live. Then I explain the difference between fans and supporters.

David Ellis
3 Posted 22/08/2014 at 02:56:59

Good to see Andy Gray coming along. Not many years at the club and a post football career celebrity, so he's showing some class by getting involved.

Karl Masters
4 Posted 22/08/2014 at 03:29:00

Makes you proud to be an Evertonian. Full marks to the Club for this.

Peter Healing
5 Posted 22/08/2014 at 10:56:25

Excellent response by every one involved. Gone but not forgotten. Glad to be a Blue.

Mike Childs
6 Posted 22/08/2014 at 16:50:34

This is stuff that over here states makes me realize I picked the right club to throw my allegiance to. COYB

Billy Fisher
7 Posted 26/08/2014 at 23:08:16

Well done once again to Paul and the tireless Heritage Society, of whom without , the club would no doubt forget about it's roots and the debt they owe to it's great former players

Joe Bibb
8 Posted 27/08/2014 at 12:13:34

The EFC Heritage Society has shown with their displays that there is nothing that can touch the passion and commitment of Everton Fans.

The Cuff Grave restoration was a superb day, respect and honouring an Everton Giant came through in every thing that happened that day.

The members have now gone on to the next step. Restoring the lost grave of Alex 'Sandy' Young the Everton Centre Forward who helped Everton bring the FA Cup to this City for the First time.

The day in Edinburgh will be another when Evertonians around the World can hold their heads up with pride.

Other clubs will now follow in our footsteps, that is what has happened throughout history. Everton lead others follow and this is all down to a small band of passionate Everton fans who love the History of the Club and take every opportunity to express that.

At this moment in time Everton are the 4th most successful club in the history of English Football. This is a fact that the Society constantly pushes.

These Everton fans have worked with the Club and have gained the respect of the Board.

Without their passion there would be no events like this, there would be no pre match St Luke's Display. Don't forget Everton Football Club do not have a museum you can visit on match days. The EFC Heritage Society have provided that to all fans free of charge.

Last Saturday before the Arsenal game, Alan Ball's daughter came up to St Luke's, she saw an exhibit of Alan Ball memorabilia on display by Heritage Society member Brendan Connolly. He had an Alan Ball international cap on display. Brendan took it from the cabinet and allowed Alan's grandchildren to be photographed with it. It was a very emotional experience for Alan's daughter and everyone that was there.

These fans work tirelessly taking no expenses or fees, it's all done for the benefit of Evertonians. So when you sing 'If you know your history' during the game, spare some time before the match to visit St Luke's Church and support these fans who do all this for you.

The restoration of the Sandy Young gravestone in Edinburgh could only have been done because of the Society's commitment, the donations from Evertonians and the help of the club.

I will be there on Wednesday standing next to the Golden Vision Alex Young honouring his namesake also Graeme Sharp and possibly Andy Gray. Three Scottish Everton Centre Forwards who played in Cup Finals for this great club all winners honouring the very first winner.

The History of Everton Football Club is unique in St Luke's you can buy books that cover Everton as Champions in World War One, World War Two, 1890-91, books about Dave Hickson, Kevin Sheedy etc plus many other items at sensible prices . Buy them support the society and enjoy reading about our lost history.

There are also hundreds of programmes for sale at ٟ each all the money goes to fund projects that Every Evertonian can attend free of charge.

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