April 23, 1913
LIVERPOOL THEATRICAL GALA
Time was when the Liverpool-Theatrical Gala football match was attended by many and varied shows and even a parade through the city, but although of late years the event has been robbed of its garish elements, it still continue to provide a handsome sum to be divided amongst local charities.
The proposal of allocating the proceeds of a really first-class game of football to be gala fund was attended with very successful results last year, the sum of £159 13s 8d. being realised, after paying all expenses. The game last night –which by the way, was started by the Mayor of Birkenhead (Alderman Thompson) – was witnessed by close on 10,000 people, and the receipts are sure to be larger than last year. Mr. W. W. Kelly (chairman) and the other gala officials have worked hard to make the venture a big success and Mr. T. Woods the hon, treasurer, has good cause to expect a big “turn over.”
Since its inception 13 years ago the Theatrical Gala has been the means of raising no less a sum than £15,211 for local charities, and last year’s amount constituted a record the figures being £1, 055.
This year Mr. Tom Watson, the Liverpool Club’s secretary, was able to bring together two most attractive teams, representing Everton and Liverpool versus an International eleven, and the spectators had the opportunity of witnessing some of the cleverest men playing football at the present time.
DELIGHTFUL EXHIBITION
Happily the event was favoured with fine weather, and as already mentioned there was a most gratifying attendance. What was more, the game itself was worth going a long way too see. All the 22 players showed a real desire to please, and the result was that several of the players especially the Internationals, were seen to even greater advantage than in more serious contests.
All the finer points of the game were demonstrated to the full, and the real artistry shown repeatedly called for enthusiastic applause. Without unduly exerting themselves the players were able to bring out all that is best in football, and some real thrills were provided.
The right wing play of Simpson and McTavish was really brilliant. These two bright particular stars played together with the Falkirk club, and, since coming into English football, they have alas, been separated. The renewal of the old partnership yesterday once again demonstrated the greatness, their passing and footwork generally being bewilderingly clever. One of the chief features of the game was Simpson’s centres. In this respect he was seen at his best, and it was from his placing in front that Elliott scored all three goals.
By these two were not only players to shine, the International team as a whole giving a delightful exhibition, the forwards being well balanced, and all departments working together with real harmony.
The fact that the team representing the Everton and Liverpool clubs was not beaten by a wilder margin than 3-0 was largely due to the excellent goalkeeping of Campbell. The Liverpool keeper dealt successfully with all manner of shots from difficult angles, and he demonstrated to the full his prowess as a cool and sure custodian. The game was by no means one-sided. The Liverpool and Everton players put in a lot of good work, but they were not nearly so polished as their opponents, their chief failing being lack of finishing power.
The teams were: – Everton and Liverpool: – Kenneth Campbell, goal, William Stevenson and Robert Pursell, backs, Val Harris, Billy Wareing, and Bob Ferguson, half-backs, George Beare, Frank Jefferis, Jack Parkinson, Thomas Gracie, and William Lacey forwards.
Internationals: – Ernie Scattergood, goal, Bob Crompton, and Jesse Pennington, backs, Tom Brittleton, Roberts, and D. Wilson, half-backs, Simpson, McTavish, Elliott, A. Wilson, and Wall, forwards.
The promoters of the gala awarded beautiful medals to both teams, those given to the winners of course being the superior set. The gates receipts amounted to £221 10s.
(Source: Liverpool Courier: April 24, 1913)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 