May 4, 1915
Football players are free agents now until the winner pastime is resumed, and a small number of them have joined the army, while there are many others who are working at their old trade or in some new field of labour.
Johnny Houston the Everton forward has, I understand, joined the Royal Irish Rifles and is stationed in Belfast.
Houston, it will be remembered was previously in the army, and now that his contract with Everton has expired he has lost no time in getting back to the colours.
It is stated that 22 of the 35 Hotspur men have decided to join the army or to work on ammunition.
Of the Woolwich Arsenal players Billy Spittle, George Ford, Jack Butler, and Houston are members of the Footballers’ Battalion.
Wally Hardinge has joined the Naval Air Service and David Greenaway, Bob Benson, George Grant, Thomas Winship, Angus McKinnon, and Arthur Kempton have returned to their employment at Woolwich or on the Tyne.
(Evening Express: May 4, 1915)
