August 24, 1897
The Liverpool players made their debut for the season last evening before a fairly good crowd, despite the threatening state of the weather. The players who lined out were as follow:-
Whites: Harry Storer, goal; Archie Goldie and Billy Dunlop, backs; John McCartney, Joe McQue, and Thomas Cleghorn, half backs; Harry Nicholl, Andy McCowie, Patrick Finnerhan, Reggie Lloyd, and Arthur Kelly, forwards.
Reds: Willie Donnelly, goal; Tom Wilkie and Matt McQueen, backs, John Holmes, Patrick Gray, and Harry Mainman, half backs; Joe Lumsden, Frank Becton, Daniel Cunliffe, William Walker, and Robert Marshall, forwards.
The play was of the character usually identified with practice games, though there were at times passages that gave every indication that the men would not be lacking when the stern work of the season commenced.
Harry Bradshaw was missing from the ranks, but the information as to his marriage was quickly passed round the ground, and his absence was thus explained.
On Thursday evening another practice will be held, the kick off to be at six o’ clock.
(Source: Liverpool Mercury: August 25, 1897)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 