Tommy was one of the quickest wingers in football at that time, another memory is of him scoring a goal against Manchester United in the 2-1 win in an FA Cup game at Goodison, the day that Dave Hickson suffered a serious head injury, and returned to the pitch to score the winning goal, his bandaged head covered in blood.

Tommy was transferred to Tranmere Rovers in 1957 and the last time I saw him play for Everton was 27 August 1956 in a 2-2 home draw against Bolton Wanderers. That was two days before I joined the Army, sadly it was also the last time I saw Peter Farrell.

Thanks for another excellent article, I know you're aware of my love of nostalgia, some call it an obsession.

I really enjoyed this article. I started following the Blues circa 1955, but living in Dublin I cannot recall ever seeing him play although I would safely say that it was the Irish connection, particularly Tommy and Peter Farrell that was responsible for my supporting Everton.

As you say his career was over before the advent of television so quite a bit of what you write is new to me even after 65 years!

Thanks again for a lovely jaunt down memory lane.

Eggo was so down to earth, that's why I referred to him as a grand man, he really was. Me and my mate met him on a train coming back from London after an Everton game, so easy and natural to talk to, even though we young teenagers still at school. My mate Mick said to him, “Tommy, you are playing for Eire next week, is there any chance you could get us a programme?"

Tommy replied, “Certainly, no bother at all.” We missed the next away game but the following one, Tommy found us on the train, he said “Where were you the other week? I was up and down the train looking for you? Anyway, here's your programme." (Eire v Portugal, I think) and we had another good gab to him. A nice genuine man with no airs and graces at all, as well as being a good football.

Eggo and Peter Farrell played in the top three English leagues and two international teams together, Ireland and Eire.

By the way, Rob, it was Graham Williams who replaced Tommy in 1957 not Gareth, and to finish what an old fashioned but beautiful letter he wrote to his parents, describing his weekend in the North East, old fashioned manners with lovely Ideals, sums up Tommy very well I think.

The 1949 International stands out as a memory because a friend and I sagged Rugby (held on a Wednesday afternoon and Saturday) at St Edwards to go and watch the game.

We thought we would be safe in the crowd but unfortunately two of the Christian Brothers had also skipped Rugby to watch Ireland and they spotted us. However, they didn't punish us, thanks to Peter scoring and Ireland winning. Happy days, and thanks again, Rob.

George (6), I empathise with your situation as I was at St Mary's at that time and well aware of the Christian Brothers' attitude to footy.

Mention of Tommy Ring also evokes memories. I was at that match at Stamford Bridge where he broke his leg. I was working in London at the time and a pal and I visited him in hospital in Fulham. He was in a general ward and glad to have a visit from a Blue – no fancy private hospitals for players at that time!

By the way, Rob, how did Liverpool's Secretary, Peter Robinson, sneak into the picture of the re-union of 1980?

I was 14 and my big brother used to watch me safely into the Boys Pen, then he would make his way into the Paddock, but this day, he took me into the Paddock with him. I was a skinny kid so he kept hoisting me up to see the game.

I remember the smoke haze all over the ground, most people smoked then, and he told me to look up at the Main Stand. There was rows of clergy, nuns, priests etc, must have just got off the Dublin boat, my brother said they looked like a row of penguins.

England had a fine team out but most had come to see Stan Matthews and Tommy Lawton – neither played that day. The crowd cheered the Irish lads and it was a great win. My brother wrote me a sick note for the teacher, but it didn't wash and I can still feel the Six Of The Best across my fingers – just because I said we went to watch Ireland... He yelled - "It's Eire!"

I stood near him at Wembley in '66 and he was an enthusiastic supporter. Part of the last generation of maximum wage players who really were just like us.

I grew up in Marino a neighbouring parish to Tommy's birthplace in Donnycarney. Like Des at #3 above, the exploits of Tommy, Peter Farrell and others was responsible for my calling.

What a great letter he wrote to his parents after that Sunderland game.

There might have been quite a few more but I think Everton gave one Irish club, not sure which one, such a paltry sum after the Irish lad made the grade, that they vowed never to let any of their lads go to Everton in the future. I've an inkling that Liam Whelan who played for Man Utd was one of those players, he died in the Munich disaster.

In the end of the ground I was watching from, all seven goals were scored at the other end of the ground, and Peter Corr who played in the England v Eire game in 1949, played outside-right.

I didn't realise George Cummins was an Everton player either, as I associated him with Luton. Thanks again Dave, a fountain of knowledge. That makes 9 Irish players from Tommy Eglington to Mick Meagan.

I saw Tommy Eglinton playing for Tranmere Rovers a few years later – and enjoying some banter with the crowd! I also saw John Willie Parker playing for non-league New Brighton in the Lancashire Combination.

The photo you submitted was taken when I was serving Queen and country in Cyprus. The line-up:

Back row, from left to right: John Sutherland, Jimmy Tansey, Jimmy O'Neill, Tommy Jones, George Kirby.

Front row, from left to right: Tony McNamara, Tommy Eglington, Peter Farrell, Bert Llewellyn, Jimmy Glazzard, Ken Rea.

I never saw John Sutherland, Jimmy Glazzard or Kenny Rea, play for Everton, they were gone when I was demobbed in 1959.

George Cummins made 24 appearances for Everton without scoring. On his return to Goodison, he netted in the first couple of minutes, but fortunately goals from Tommy Eglington and John Willie Parker saved the day.

Any more info on this Irish mystery man, anybody?

I would say he was a big lad but to be honest every player looked big to me then, as I was only eight or nine.

I'd appreciate any insights you have on the club under Joey Curran's reign!

No problems if not.

The club was the brainchild of Joe Curran, a nephew of the boxer of the same name, who fought for the world flyweight title against Rinty Monaghan. Joe opened the club for kids who lived locally who were interested in boxing, somewhere to keep them off the streets and to learn discipline as well as being well taught in the science of boxing.

Joe also introduced a well run social club, with any profits going towards the boxing club. The boxing produced a world champion in Colin Dunne, a nephew of my mate Jimmy Dunne who fought in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, along with many outstanding amateur and professional clubs. The club had many good coaches over the years Tony Carroll who fought for the British title being one along with Harry Curry, a great coach and a gentleman. I'll continue soon, Steve, got to go out.

As Rick Tarleton pointed out in another thread, his Uncle, Nel Tarleton, the great Featherweight Champion started his career at the ERT and was good friends with the legendary Dixie Dean!

Joey Curran did indeed revive the ERT back in 1981 when he opened it up at 38 Everton Road. I managed to find an article in the Echo on the opening and there is a picture of Joey, with his son Stephen along with Harry Curry and a Billy Webb. As an aside Billy Aird one of Liverpool's former heavyweight contenders formally cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony.

Prior to that it was located at 120 -126 Everton Road and records have it starting at that location in late 1919/1920, when the then committee took over the old Newsboys home for destitute children.

Noel Quarless who fought the British heavyweight title learned his boxing at The Red Triangle along with David Price another heavyweight boxer. Alan Rudkin also helped out at the club along with presenting the prizes at a few shows.

I was the recorder at the club for a good few years, the recorder has no dealings with the actual boxing, a good job, they would have learned nothing off me about boxing, I just filled in all the results, referees and judges of the fights, which was then sent to the ABA.

I finished with this job and replaced by a girl !!, the daughter of Tony Lynch, brother of Alan Lynch who ran the neighbouring Salisbury ABC. I still continued to drink in The Red Triangle until it closed, not sure when that was. Joe was getting on a bit and maybe the job was too much for him, he passed away around five or six years ago, he was well respected in amateur boxing circles and his funeral was very well attended.

Hope I have been of some help Steve.

The comment you made about Joe "opening the club for kids who lived locally who were interested in boxing, somewhere to keep them off the streets and to learn discipline as well as being well taught in the science of boxing" is really the essence of the club. It has always been there in the district helping the less fortunate kids get a leg up in life!

I did indeed visit the club when I was last over, back in Feb 2019 and will be back when they finally get the green light for their centenary celebrations.

A Joan Stevenson, along with her sons Paul and Mick are now running the club and I think she is a relative of Joe's!

She told me they moved to the new location just a mile up the road in Albion Street back in November 2005, so I guess that would be around the time it closed at its previous Everton Road location.

Anyway, If you are interested, I'll let you have a copy of the "ERT Scrapbook" once I get it completed.

Steve, on recollection, David Price possibly fought for the neighbouring boxing club Salisbury ABC not the ERT.

It would be a pleasure to have a look at the “ERT scrapbook” you are compiling, thank you.

I'll go one better and let you know when the Centenary bash finally takes place. As an ex-recorder at the club, you're more than qualified to be at the celebrations!

Thank you.

Well before my time, but he sounds one helluva player does Tommy 'Eggo' and a nice fellah as well.

As a young child I can remember the surreal experience of being shepherded into their bedroom whilst they were stilll lying there reading the Sunday papers. They gave me a bar of chocolate which I impulsively devoured in one go.

Oh how I regret not treasuring it as a golden keepsake. I recall my dad telling me of a social gathering he had attended at Harris Drive and that Tommy's party piece was ' The Woody Woodpecker's Song