March 20, 1911
There was a rare gathering of international footballers at Anfield today in Support of charity, Mr. George Robey brought a team of international players to meet an eleven chosen from Everton and Liverpool, and one expected that these attractive players would draw a big crowd to aid the theatrical gals funds. Notable among the home players was the reappearance in football of Jack Sharp; while on the opposition side were old favourites in Alex Raisbeck and John Cox. Roose was unable to play, but Hardy came in. The teams were :-
Everton and Liverpool: – Scott (Everton); Longworth (Liverpool), Macconnachie (Everton); Harris (Everton), Harrop (Liverpool), Makepeace (Everton); Sharp (Everton), Goddard (Liverpool), Jack Parkinson (Liverpool) Young (Everton), Macdonald (Liverpool).
Robey’s Internationals: – Hardy (Liverpool); Carr (Newcastle), Sharp (Fulham); Ducat (Woolwich Arsenal), Raisbeck (Partick), Sturgess (Sheffield United); Meredith (Manchester United), Robey, Wilson (Sheffield Wednesday), Bache (Aston Villa), Cox (Blackpool).
Referee Mr. A. Williamson.
There was a nice sized crowd to help to swell the funds of the Theatrical Gala exchequer. The teams received a hearty ovation, as did also Mr. Bonar Law, who was introduced to the spectators by Mr. Watson, Rutherford, and M.P. The process of photographing having been gone through, the teams set out on their errand – namely, to give us a class exhibition of football. The elements were ideal.
The members for West Derby kicked off with a tremendous lunge, and this forecasted what we were to see from the Mersey team, who attacked very persistently, Goddard, Harris, and Makepeace shooting in turn, and Parkisnon making the braves effort with a wonderful shot close in, Hardy saving by hurling himself full length at the ball. George Robey was very serious about his new business and he kicked a half-back and set the ball in motion in his best style for a goal from Cox. The initiation of the goal was Robey’s all Robey’s and it bore the stamp of Robey’s best days of football with the Handswoth Rugby Football Club. Cox headed the ball beyond Scott, and the success of the old Liverpool man, as was the play of Alex Raisbeck, was very appetising to the local crowd. Jack Sharp, as of yore, sped along the wing and crossed some pretty centres, and next we saw George Robey giving a thoroughly honest shoulder charge to Makepeace. This was Robey the energetic. The Everton captain smiled, so did the crowd. In a match of this description Harrop excels, and today his delighted in finessing and feinting. Not the least humorous of the incidents of laughter was that of Mr. Tom Watson doing his level best to keep up with the play. Genial Tom was linesman, and right well did he fill the position –take it which way you care. “Sandy” Young was in a niche by himself with as many quairt tricks. His appearance against Jack Carr reminded us of that day when the pair were antagonists, when Everton won the cup by “Sandy’s” goal in the final against Newcastle. Bache and Cox did some clever back heeling work, and a rare titbit was the appearance of Parkinson against his old captain, Raisbeck. The pair had many tussles, Hardy saved a stinging shot from Parkinson, the while Robey graped with astonishment. From a corner Arthur Goddard beat Hardy, the ball being shot from very close range. Robey strove manfully, but somewhat the ball did not come his way in the first half, and well served though he was in the second half, he could not get the goal he so much desired. Robey came in the picture as the end of the first half drew nigh, and three times in as many minutes attempted to force the pace. He even went so far as to head the ball. How the crowd roared. This was football fun of the best. Once the comedian was pulled up for offside, and a wag shouted, “Play the game George.” Robey’s reply was a practical demonstration that he had lost all his wind power. “Sandy” tested Hardy with a fast and rising shot, the goalkeeper making a great save. Just before half-time Macdonald scored, Hardy making no attempt to get to the ball, which he imagined was passing outside. Half-time Everton and Liverpool 2, International Eleven 1.
The Police Band played a selection before the game commenced, during the interval, and after the final. Mr. Bonne Law kicked off the second half, and although Jack Sharp missed an easy chance in the first minutes. He afterwards showed his physical fitness by sprinting past Sturgess and James Sharp. It was from one of his centres that Goddard scored a third goal for the City. A little later the old Everton man had a good shot at goal, the ball hitting the side of the netting. It is not true; by the way the George Robey is on the transfer list. Many First Division clubs and prominent Scottish clubs sent down their officials in the home that they might tempt Robey to change his colours of his tune –they didn’t case which Robey was adamant. Robeys had the chance of a lifetime but put the ball wide of the post. It is to be feared he did not do the full course of training this morning viz four miles, 850 yards over hurdles. Macconnachie gave Robey a hearty shoulder charge. Then Hardy and Carr were injured slightly. Parkinson added a fourth for the City team, and then Robey delighted with a wonderful exhibition of how to miss an open goal.
(Source: Liverpool Echo: March 20, 1911)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 