We hear and see ….

Saturday, August 18 – 1888
That Jack Ross (Nick Ross) packed up his traps and left the Proud Town last Monday, and on Tuesday took up his residence near the Everton football ground; that he played his first practice game on Wednesday night, fully 4,000 spectators turning out to see the “Champion back of the World” disport himself; that Jack does not as yet feel thoroughly at home, but intends to make himself so; that there is not one of the North End’s ex-skipper’ Preston friends but who wish him joy with his new love, but many of them are afraid he will soon find cause to regret his change; that Jack has promised to do wonderful things when he meets the North End, but there are those in Preston who are willing to take odds that he does not play against the North End at all; that Jack is to be captain of the Everton boat, and says he can steer it to victory, as he did the North End craft; that one who knows say that Ross is to be played centre forward as often as anywhere else; that if this is true, there can be n doubt that Mr. Sudell’s prophesy “that Ross had made his name at Preston and would bury it at Everton,” will come true sooner than the “Boss” anticipated.

That before leaving Preston, Ross stated that his reason for leaving was that he had not received his money regularly, and this having come to Mr. Sudell’s knowledge, he has written to Ross for his denial of the statement; that Ross never missed getting his money regularly, winter and summer, except the week previous to his strong language to Mr. Sudell; that this is proved by the fact that the Everton club have signed a cheque for £17 10s. in repayment of Ross’s wages since the game he played against Renton for the Championship of the World – a period of seven weeks.

That Ross has not yet received his formal discharge from the North End, but will do in due course; that N.J.’s better half did not relish the idea of going to Liverpool to reside; that Hack was, however, bent on going, as life in Preston was “too slow” for him; that the question has frequently been asked – Where did Ross enjoy any “life,” except on the North End football ground, kicking the ball, or at home?
(Lancashire Evening Post, 18-08-1888)