April 8, 1921
Visitors from Liverpool. Character studies of the players.
FRANK MITCHELL.
* Quite a dapper figure he appears between the sticks does this canny Scot from Elgin, the home of the Seaforths. Some people place him right in the top flight of goalies; others say he is just ordinary. Everton hold the latter belief. The Anfield club think the world of him, and rightly so, for he has a glorious knack of anticipation, and gets to shots in wonderful style.
EPHRAIM LONGWORTH.
* The real genius of the defence is this compactly-built Bolton man, with his big stock of long wavy hair. He is not endowed with great strength, but has a superabundance of football brains, which have earned him international honours. A past master of the art of nipping in at the critical moment, he intercepts more passes than he allows to go to their destination. His precise kicking is a joy.
DONALD MACKINLAY.
* A versatile performer, he either figures at full back or outside left. Quite a difference, but he is a success in either position. As a defender he uses his keen judgment and anticipation to a nicety; whilst as a winger he is as nippy and quick as a jack-in-box. A very useful man to have on one’s side.
JOHN BAMBER.
* Started his football career as a right winger, and is now an international right half. Did not cost Liverpool a penny, but is now worth “thousands.” He is a powerful defender, a sixth forward, a breaker-up and forager rolled into one. Has a wonderful stock of energy, delights in loading upon his forwards the choicest of delicate ground passes, and is an artist.
WALTER WADSWORTH.
* This Bootle man is primarily a destructive agent, and being six feet all but an inch he is well endowed physically for his job. Destruction is always easier than construction, but “Wally” does not shirk the harder task. Indeed his efforts towards initiative are his real secret of success. A big man, big-hearted, he is “big” and “bad” to beat.
TOM BROMILOW.
* A Merseysider born and bred, he started the game with a church club, and is today an international. He made his League debut less than two years ago, but he plays with the ideas and skill of a veteran. Is more dainty and artistic than either of his two colleagues, but is eminently efficient none the less.
JACK SHELDON.
* A red-haired Adonis from Derbyshire, whose neat, natty, and diminutive figure is the joy to his admirers, but a nightmare to his opponents on the field. Built on Fanny Walden lines, he is a regular “box o’ tricks,” full of strange swerves and graces, but does not overdo the fancy work. His wing play is the acme of precision, and his centre are the sort which bring goals.
DICK FORSHAW.
* A player who has had to strive hard and long to convince his masters that he is worth playing. “Billy” is a brainy, unorthodox lad, who does the unexpected thing, but that has been his secret of success. An opponent never knows what Forshaw will do. He never forgets his partner, but is not bound hand and foot to him. Has a powerful shot in either foot.
DICK JOHNSON.
* A youngster discovered last season with Felling Colliery, he is one of the best centre forward “finds” of late years. Made his first acquaintance with League football last October, and has scored 12 goals since. On his day he is a dangerous fellow, but he and his play are as variable as a weather vane.
HARRY LEWIS.
* A Birkenhead man, he is understudy to Chambers, who is to-morrow leading England’s attack at Glasgow. Lewis is not a big chap, but he is skilful in his purveying of the ball, attends to the needs of his wing-man as a mother to her child, but often asserts his individuality in front of goal, though his shooting has not been so successful of late.
HAROLD WADSWORTH.
* A younger brother of the centre-half, who has just been reintroduced to the side, and justified such a step to the hilt. He has a splendid turn of speed, and if he has a fault it is a desire to delay crossing the ball. Is not a “dilly dally” merchant, but sometimes hesitates in a manner which allows a defence to take up position again. But he’s young yet, and will improve.
(Source: Derby Daily Telegraph: April 8, 1921; via http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) © 2018 Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
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