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Reader Comments (15)

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John McFarlane Snr
1 Posted 06/06/2022 at 12:05:04
Hi Rob, thank you for another interesting submission, there are many who sing "If you know your history" without making the effort to learn 'their' history.

I'm aware of the fact that some on this site may well read your posts without responding, but a word or two of appreciation wouldn't go amiss. Your last item deserved more than the 5 acknowledgements it received. I can't claim to be your No 1 fan but I'm certainly a fan.

Dennis Stevens
2 Posted 06/06/2022 at 14:31:51
Spot on, John. I always find these excursions into yesteryear a fascinating read, although I admit I don't always post a comment. I've often thought many of these pieces could be assembled to form a quite decent book.
Don Alexander
3 Posted 06/06/2022 at 15:48:29
Thanks for an interesting read, Rob, I enjoyed it.

On another note, I just wonder how many TWers are perfect namesakes of former players, Dennis above excepted?

Mike Gaynes
4 Posted 06/06/2022 at 16:08:52
So who is the Boyle family member hinted as a "high-profile" Toffee?
Bill Watson
5 Posted 06/06/2022 at 16:32:49
Thanks for another fascinating insight into days gone by, Rob.

In those days, a £150 signing on fee was quite a significant sum, probably amounting to more than a year's pay.

I notice the newspaper report mentions a car was waiting outside his door. This must have been a horse-drawn carriage.

Like Mike, I'm also intrigued by the identity of the current 'high profile Toffee'. Could it be Graeme Sharp???

John McFarlane Snr
6 Posted 06/06/2022 at 16:40:47
Hi Don [3],

The main reason I became an Evertonian was through the influence of my Uncle Tommy, but he never told me of a John McFarlane who played on two occasions for Liverpool.

It was only after Tommy passed away that I discovered that John McFarlane made his debut in an Anfield derby on 9 February 1929 which Everton won 2-1. He had to wait until the following September for his second and final appearance, which resulted in another defeat by three goals to nil at Huddersfield Town.

I suppose that I'll be placed 'reluctantly' in the list of people sharing the same name as a footballer.

Dennis Stevens
7 Posted 06/06/2022 at 17:05:20
That's most unfortunate, John. The nearest I could find on the excellent http://evertonresults.com/ website is a goalkeeper who made a few appearances in the late 1890s by the name of Rab McFarlane. Any relation?
Paul Birmingham
8 Posted 06/06/2022 at 19:41:45
Thanks, Rob, another excellent read from the by-gone times of Everton FC.
John McFarlane Snr
9 Posted 06/06/2022 at 19:59:01
Hi Dennis [7],

I was aware of Robert (Rab) McFarlane, but I don't think that there is a family connection of either the John McFarlane who played for Liverpool or, Rab who was born in Greenock in 1875. John (the Red) was born in Shettleston in 1905. There's certainly no relationship to anyone in my family, or I would most likely have heard about it long ago.

Peter Mills
10 Posted 06/06/2022 at 20:57:08
Very interesting article, Rob. Thank you.
Andy Hammerton
11 Posted 06/06/2022 at 21:32:40
Really enjoyed this detailed piece.

About 35 years ago, a mate was working in a house in Anfield and ripped out a fireplace. He found some stuff left behind it including an Everton player's season ticket, signed by R Boyle, which he gave to me.

It came in a leather-bound case with fixtures listed inside. It's from 1900-01 season, when he would have been coming to the end of his playing days with Everton.

Jack Convery
13 Posted 07/06/2022 at 19:27:09
I really enjoy reading these stories of past players and this was no exception. Thanks, Rob, and I look forward to your next contribution.

By the way… it's not Danny Boyle, is it?

Garry Martin
14 Posted 07/06/2022 at 21:34:02
Great read.

Love reading about the early days of Everton FC especially the contracts that players were offered.

Many thanks.

Paul [The Esk]
15 Posted 08/06/2022 at 19:42:58
Lovely stuff, Rob. Thank you.
John Burns
17 Posted 08/06/2022 at 20:02:22
Fantastic Rob, your articles are so enjoyable.

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