Photo from around 1900

[johnh]

This photo was taken in about 1900. Not sure about the team, it is either Valkyrie FC or Old Xaverians. My guess is that it is Valkyrie FC.

 

My Grandfather is third from left in the back row, next to the two guys in civvies. He would have been 19 years old in 1900. I don't know anyone else in the photo other than Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in the bowler hats. Note that in those days the shinpads were worn outside the socks. The ball in those days was segmented and at each end there was a leather 'button' to hold it together. There were instances of players being killed by heading the 'button' so it was banned. My grandfather was a bookbinder with Rockliffe's Printers who are still going in Long Lane. He would have been apprenticed with them at the time the photo was taken. He then went on to be a Tram driver and was an Inspector on the Trams when he retired. Another interesting story is that the Chief Electrician on the Titanic (Peter Sloan) also played for Valkyrie FC and may be on the photo. He didn't survive the sinking.

 

Click on the photo to enlarge.

[johnh]

Forgot to add - the most important thing, Grandad was an Everton supporter all his life. He took me and my brother to Goodison on several occasions.

[MikeO]

Brilliant that John, thanks for posting it.

 

Never met either of my grandfathers, they both died before I was born. Always been a bit sad about that.

[Matt]

My grandad once told me he was knocked unconscious and concussed by heading one of the old balls whilst playing in the rain. Doesn't surprise me that people were killed by them!