Monday, July 28 – 1952
The future of most Football League clubs is becoming increasingly bound up in their own young products, and nobody has done more of recent seasons to foster this type of player than our two senior Liverpool clubs, whose managers and staffs are now sifting the wheat from the chaff in the big list of applications for trials received from aspiring youngsters.
Liverpool held the first of what is likely to be a long series of private trials on Saturday following which four boys were signed on amateur form. The names are not being disclosed until later. Manager Don Welsh wishes to advise all applicants of his decision, including the unsuccessful ones, before announcing his amateur signings.
Altogether 36 boys were put through their paces on Saturday with coaches Tom Bush and Jimmy McInnes in attendance, plus trainers Albert Shelley and Jimmy Seddon. Three of Liverpool’s South-West Lancashire scouts were also present.
There will be further trials each Wednesday and Saturday for the next three weeks.
Now that Jack Balmer has been added to the Anfield coaching staff the opportunities for ambitious lads to learn are still further widened.
As their followers know Liverpool during recent seasons have fielded sides with a big percentage of players who have cost them nothing in the way of fees beyond the nominal £10 signing-on payment when they first become professionals plus in some cases goodwill donations to their former amateur clubs.
Of the present senior staff Liddell, Hughes, Lambert, Jones, Ashcroft, Payne, Paisley and Baron all come under the no-fee banner, while during recent seasons we have seen several younger men “blooded” in senior games, such as Smith, Crossley, Parr, Whitworth, Heydon and Williams.
(Liverpool Echo, 28-07-1952)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 