A journey to the Liverpool Museum to see Everton and Liverpool memorabilia: The Heart of English Football
There are few regions anywhere in the world that boast a history quite as rich as Merseyside when it comes to soccer. With Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere Rovers giving the region three teams who have long been in the upper echelons of the Football League pyramid, successes and heartbreaks, icons and villains, […]
There are few regions anywhere in the world that boast a history quite as rich as Merseyside when it comes to soccer. With Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere Rovers giving the region three teams who have long been in the upper echelons of the Football League pyramid, successes and heartbreaks, icons and villains, are often recounted in this corner of the north-west of England.
In Liverpool Museum, situated on the city’s pier head with the Liver Buildings and the rest of the synonymous skyline providing an aesthetic backdrop, some of that tremendous history has been preserved in a superb exhibition.
It’s probably the most popular section of the building, dubbed “Wondrous Place” on the second floor. In there, there are homages to The Beatles, including their famous grey suits, and a plethora of other musical greats from Merseyside. There is also memorabilia from other local success stories, including writers, boxers and olympians.
But the area focusing on local soccer is the most eye-catching for football fanatics. Last week, I went down to have a look around and thought it’d be enjoyable to share some of the snaps I took.
Dixie Dean shield, presented in 1928
This shield was awarded to Everton giant William Ralph “Dixie” Dean after he famously notched 60 goals in a league season, a record which has yet to be beaten to this day.
On a plaque in the museum is a quote from Dean, in which he admits he always used to love scoring against local rivals, Liverpool. “I used to stick the ball in the net and bow three times to the Kop. They never liked me doing that.”
Premier League ball, Leeds United 0-1 Everton, 2002
It’s often forgotten just a fortnight on from Wayne Rooney’s stunning goal against Arsenal that announced him to the world, he scored arguably an even better one against Leeds United, giving Everton their first win at Elland Road in 51 years.
The 17-year-old turned his man in midfield, surged at the Leeds defense, beat the center-back and fired a low shot past Paul Robinson in goal. Above is the ball from that day, signed by Rooney himself.
Everton vinyl sleeve, FA Cup Final, 1966
While they aren’t quite as commonplace these days, football clubs used to make FA Cup final songs. Here’s the sleeve from Everton’s version for their clash in 1966 with Sheffield Wednesday. The Toffees eventually won the game, recovering from two goals down to win 3-2 at Wembley.
Everton champagne bottle, Division 1, 1970
The Toffees won the seventh of their nine league titles at the end of the 1969-70 season under Harry Catterick, who many consider to be the club’s greatest ever manager.
Everton won the championship by nine points from nearest challengers Leeds. After capturing glory, the players celebrated with champagne in the dressing room and a bottle from that day signed by the squad is still intact at the museum 45 years on.
Bill Shankly coat and Chris Lawler Liverpool shirt, FA Cup Final, 1965
Liverpool have won the FA Cup a whopping seven times to go with their 18 league titles and five European Cups. Bill Shankly is a man who did plenty to set the club up in accruing a lot of these honors and he helped the Reds capture their first FA Cup against Leeds at Wembley in 1965.
Goals from Ian St. John and Roger Hunt in extra-time saw the Reds win 2-1. Here’s Shankly’s famous overcoat and Chris Lawler’s, Liverpool’s right-back on the day, signed shirt from the final itself.
Everton medals
The Everton medals featured above are as follows: (5) 1933 FA Cup Winners Medal, awarded to Everton player Warney Cresswell (6) FA International Medal, awarded to Dixie Dean at the end of the 1926-27 season, (7) Charity Shield winners’ medal, awarded to Dixie Dean in 1932, (8) League Championship winners’ medal, awarded to Jimmy Smith in 1931-32.
FA Cup Final 1933 ball
Soccer balls have changed a lot down the years, with the latest Premier League ball boasting “accurate flight, consistent touch and maximum visibility.” In 1933, they were a little different to say the least, even for the most prestigious game on the football calendar.
Everton faced Manchester City in the Wembley showpiece 82 years ago, with goals from Jimmy Stein, skipper Dixie Dean and James Dunn giving the Toffees a 3-0 victory.
Liverpool pendants
The Reds have enjoyed some remarkable European jaunts down the years and there are a selection of pendants on display in the museum.
The large red one is from Liverpool’s clash with Widzew Lodz, a former Polish juggernaut, in the 1982-83 European Cup quarter-finals, a two-legged tie which the Merseyside giants lost. Another is from Liverpool’s game against Rapid Bucharest 2001, while the other is one their current manager, former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp, would take great interest in.
Everton-Liverpool programme, 1934
It may seem tough to believe now, but Everton and Liverpool once used to share a matchday programme. Above is an example of one from August 25, 1934.
This particular edition would have set you back “two pence” and as you can see, on the front page there are advertisements being broadcast for “end of season” bargain suits for the matchday punters to go and buy.
Alan Ball’s white boots
Players in the modern game turn out on the field donning a variety of different colored football boots, but Everton’s Alan Ball was one of the trend setters for this kind of fashion statement.
German sportswear supplier Hummel were looking to invest in the English game in 1970 and Ball debuted some white boots for them in the Charity Shield. However, the ex-Everton man never liked the feel of the Hummel boots and began painting his Adidas ones to look like them, which was fine until it started raining and the paint came off.
Follow Matt on Twitter @MattJFootball
