January 16, 1932
Worse teams than Chesterfield have beaten better teams than Liverpool in previous years’ FA Cup matches, and if Chesterfield face Liverpool on January 23rd without an inferiority complex the result of the match need not be a forgone conclusion.
In the wake of a brilliant victory over Nottingham Forest in the Third Round comes the pairing with Liverpool in the Fourth Road, with the venue at Saltergate. Already Liverpool have put out a feeler for the game to be transferred to Anfield, though Chesterfield supporters can rest assured that there will be nothing doing so far as this is concerned.
A new attendance record for Saltergate was set up by the 21,373 crowd present on Saturday, but there is every likelihood that these figures will be far exceeded on January 23rd.
For the second time this season, Chesterfield figure in one of the tit-bits of the draw, for it will be difficult to imagine a more attractive game at Saltergate than will be provided by the visit of a team such as Liverpool.
The Anfield eleven are a first-class side, as proved by their defeat of Everton on Saturday – Everton the team that has been revealing such wonderful football in the First Division. At present, Liverpool hold fifth place in the First Division with equal number of points to Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Sheffield United, all immediately above.
Pride of place is held by Everton, and it was rather a coincidence that the leaders of the First Division, and Leeds United, the topmost team in the Second Division, were both dismissed from the Cup Competition on Saturday. This only goes to prove once more than there is a distinct difference between League Football and Cup-tie football, and that Liverpool cannot treat their forthcoming encounter lightly.
A reasonable chance
There is a certain amount of optimistic feeling at Saltergate as to Chesterfield’s prospects in the Fourth Road.
“On our own ground we have got a reasonable chance, provided our usual players are available,” remarked Mr. J.E. Davison, the former Sheffield Wednesday and England goalkeeper, now secretary and manager of the Chesterfield club, to “Spireite” of the Derbyshire Times.
“We are a much stronger team than we were two years ago when we drew with Middlesbrough, and considered we were rather unfortunate to lose in the replay at Ayresome Park. Although Liverpool defeated Everton, we think we have a fair chance, if we can field the same team that put up such an excellent display against Nottingham Forest.”
There is no doubt that if Chesterfield go in for that fast open football as they did on Saturday, Liverpool will by no means experience an easy passage – on the other hand, they may be rather surprised, as were Nottingham Forest.
The present Chesterfield eleven have proved that they can rise to a great occasion, and if only the supporters will encourage them as they did during the first half on Saturday, a rousing game will transpire.
The tactics adopted by Chesterfield’s recently reorganised team pay, as already proved – long quick passing, coupled with good positional play, extends any opposing defence and causes it considerable anxiety.
Experience and ability
Experience with ability is blended in the Chesterfield ranks, several of the players having previously competed in First Division football. If Chesterfield only forget about their rivals’ First Division status and do themselves justice by giving another exhibition of that sparkling form, there is no telling what the result will be. A football game – a cup-tie in particular – is never decided until the final whistle!
The forthcoming cup-tie will not be the first occasion upon which Chesterfield and Liverpool have met at Saltergate. Liverpool, though a First Division club of long standing, had a run in the Second Division in 1904-05, and the met Chesterfield in the usual home and away fixtures. However, many changes in football tactics and football laws have been made since those days, during which the game was not so fast as it is now.
The mention of Liverpool calls to mind the name of Sam Hardy, the one-time Chesterfield player who gained International fame as a goalkeeper at Anfield, and was also capped while with Aston Villa. Hardy joined Liverpool in 1905, and remained with them until 1912, when he went to Aston Villa, and was there until 1921.
He was first capped in 1907, and continued to receive International honours extending over the years to 1920. The secret of Hardy’s success was his clever anticipation – a strong point in the work of Ashmore, Chesterfield’s present goalkeeper.
A crowd of 30,000?
On Saturday next the accommodation of the Saltergate Ground will be taxed as it has never been before. Judging by the “lanes” to be seen in parts of the big crowd at the Nottingham Forest’ Cup-tie, there should be rooms for quite 30,000 with careful marshalling and packing of the spectators.
The alterations effected to the terracing during the close season have certainly added a few thousands to the holding capacity of the ground. But it will be a case of being there early all he same!
Liverpool have had their 25 per cent. quota of tickets and could have done with more while the demand at Chesterfield is also great. Chesterfield have agreed to a suggestion by Liverpool as to the prices of tickets, and these have been fixed as follows: – Centre stand, reserved, 5/-; wing stand, reserved, 3/6; enclosure, 2/-; ground, 1/-.
Compared with the prices for the Nottingham Forest Cup-tie, there is an increase of sixpence on centre and wing stand tickets and on the enclosure.
Season ticket holders will have the privilege of claiming their usual seats by application by tomorrow (Saturday). All applications for tickets must be accompanied by remittance and a stamped addressed envelope.
Liverpool’s motto
“This is our cup year.” The entire personnel of the Liverpool Football Club have made this their motto for the current season.
Liverpool have never won the cup, though achieving distinctions in the Football League, and they take as a decided omen the fact that they overcame their neighbourly rivals, Everton, in the Third Round. They are encouraged by the fact that when Everton won the cup – in 1906 – Liverpool won the League. That is the only time the magic trophy has ever been to Merseyside and with Everton riding on the crest of the wave as far as the League is concerned. Liverpool fondly hope and think the order will be reversed this season.
“The Reds,” as they are familiarly known, do not view the Chesterfield tie with over-confidence. Rather do they regard it with deadly seriousness in that it will take a long, stern, relentless fight on their part if they wish to march further along the Wembley Road.
Liverpool are a team of moods. Their strongest adherents are wont to term them a poor side, yet they have a knack of upsetting all calculations, as witness their League record. Liverpool have never cultivated the frills and trimmings which characterise so many First Division teams. They go on the field with one subject – to get goals.
Chesterfield may expect straightforward, honest plugging, but essentially clean football, from these Merseysiders. If they anticipate daintiness they will be disappointed.
Directness and incisiveness
It is not suggested that Liverpool do not play good, sound football. They do. Still, it is their directness, their incisiveness which carries them forward. They make the ball do the work without undue “nursing.” In other words, they take the shortest and quickest route to goal.
The power of their team lies in the intermediary division and they claim the cleverest centre-half in the country to-day – Tommy Bradshaw. In Bradshaw, their skipper, they have a man of 6ft. 3ins., who seems to dominate the centre of the field. He is first of all a footballer, and anything which he attempts or accomplishes must be found in football’s copy book. Bradshaw will play a big part on January 23rd, for he has already shown that he can hold England’s greatest centre-forward – Dixie Dean.
There is no doubt that Liverpool’s most indifferent department is their attack. The directors have been searching the British Isles for a goal-scoring centre-forward and have had to experiment with Barton, an outside right, in the position. The result has been partially satisfactory for Barton’s enthusiasm has infused some life into the line, but still an opportunist is lacking.
It is doubtful whether the team will be subjected to anything but ordinary training until a few days before the game, when it is expected that they will go to Matlock before journeying on to Chesterfield. While they do not under-estimate the rejuvenated Chesterfield, the Liverpool players are convinced they can win, and, as Bradshaw puts it, “If we do not win then we should not be permitted to play in the round for we should not be good enough.”
Hard words, these, for Chesterfield, but it indicates just how Liverpool feel.
Players for Liverpool team
Following are brief biographical sketches of Liverpool players from whom the team will be selected: –
Elisha Scott (Goalkeeper). – Admitted to be the greatest goalkeeper who has ever stood under a cross-bar. Came to Liverpool 20 years ago from Broadway, a Northern Ireland club with a ground just outside the Linfield enclosure. Capped 21 times by Ireland, yet at the beginning of last season was thought to be past his best and so was reduced in wages. Scott’s form, however, gave the Liverpool directors the lie and “Leesh,” as he is known, is now back on top money. The wonder custodian.
Arthur Riley (Goalkeeper). – A worthy challenger to Scott and, moreover, once regarded as the first team goalkeeper. Has been playing in the reserves this season, but is above Central League class. A South African who toured England some seasons ago; caught the Liverpool fancy, and did not return.
Willie Steel (Right back). – May be regarded as the lucky man of the team. He was signed by Liverpool in August on a month’s trial, with the permission of St. Johnstone. When Jackson went to Cambridge University and Done lost form, Steel was introduced into the first team and made the right back position his own. Cost Liverpool a three-figure cheque to St. Johnstone, but stands out as one of the cheapest men the club has ever obtained.
Robert Done (Right-back). – A product of Runcorn, who has been troubled this season with muscle soreness. Was the regular right-back at the beginning of the season and is now being tried at left back.
James Jackson (Left-back). – Known as “The Reverend James Jackson” or “Parson Jackson,” because he is entering the ministry. At present studying at Cambridge, but might be recalled for the Chesterfield match. Came to Liverpool from Aberdeen as a centre-half.
Tommy Lucas (Left-back). – Another of Liverpool’s veterans. Joined the club in 1914 from Peasley Cross, a St. Helen’s junior side, and has proved one of the best investments imaginable. Small in stature, he has a remarkable aptitude for getting up to a ball; is a sturdy tackler and uses the ball with discretion. A “Strad,” in football.
Tom Morrison (Right-half). – The comedian of the team. His hobbies are practical joking and football. If he tries to put the “one man band” gang over, be wise! A cute player who knows football’s artistries and practices them. Came to Liverpool from St. Mirren.
Tom Bradshaw (Centre-half and Captain). – The power behind the Liverpool machine. Tall and big, he knows how to make the most of his physical advantages, but is dead clean. A Scottish international who played in the now famous match for Scotland against England, when the Saxons were routed at Wembley. Liverpool paid their biggest fee in history to secure this wonder player from Bury.
Jimmy McDougall (Left-half). – Quiet off the field; quiet on. McDougall is never outstanding, but he is the great grafter in the Liverpool team. A brother of the Sunderland McDougall, he came to Anfield from Partick Thistle three seasons ago and toured the Continent with Scotland in the summer. Was an inside left, but Liverpool discovered his true position.
Daniel McRorie (Outside-right). – Another Scottish international. Adopts direct tactics and must have an inside man who knows his methods. Was secured from Greenock Morton, but has played mostly in the reserve side.
Gordon Hodgson (Inside-right). – English international; Lancashire County cricketer; Football League player. The only honour he requires is a FA Cup medal. Six foot and a tremendous shot. Hodgson is one of England’s best inside forwards. Another South African who joined the Reds with Riley. The idol of the Anfield crowd.
Harold Barton (Centre-forward). – A former butcher’s boy and still another converted representative of the side. Came to Liverpool from Blackpool as an outside right and displayed such a penchant for cutting in that when the club were troubled with the centre-forward position, they tried him there with signal success. Frail in build, he is a cute dribbler and a powerful shot. The baby of the team.
Dave Wright (Inside-left). – Bald it is true, but he avers that no one has ever seen a bald donkey. Brainwork is his password. The master mind behind the Liverpool attack. Has suffered from a leg injury recently, but came into the team for the Everton match and was one of the outstanding successes. Went from Cowdenbeath to Sunderland and then to Liverpool. Undoubtedly the most consistent Liverpool forward and not as old as he looks.
Gordon Gunson (Outside-left). – Came to Liverpool from Sunderland with Wright, where they left-wing partners. Knows each other like a book. Gunson is happy at Liverpool, for he was born at Chester and graduated with Wrexham. Is the second highest goal-scorer on the books, which proves he is eager for the cut-in and shot. Young and speedy.
(Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald: January 16, 1932)
Liverpool 1931/1932
"Play Up, Liverpool" 