Heritage Society

T.G. Jones And The Boys Of ‘39 FC Heritage Society member , heir to , bagged Everton’s 1938/39 First Division Rob Sawyer is appealing for goals for fun. Diminutive left-flank duo champions E supporters’ memories of Everton and Wally Boyes tormented players from a golden era. defenders whilst mercurial right-winger Torry Rob, who wrote the excellent Gillick could be unplayable. The industrious biography of , says: “My dad Stan Bentham, along with Greenhalgh the only and I watched the Blues sweep all before uncapped player in the team, helped bind the them in the 1980s but his greatest praise was team together. Interestingly, not one of the first reserved for the championship-winning team XI was a Scouser with Bentham, from Newton of 1938/39. This has inspired me to chronicle le Willows, being the most local. the players’ stories particularly that of Tommy T.G. Jones would claim that the team was so ‘T.G.’ Jones, dubbed ‘The Prince of Centre- good that it barely had to break sweat to win Halves’.” games. It was denied a chance to land further Those lucky enough to see it, claim that this silverware by the seven-year hiatus in league team best-fulfilled the School of Science billing and cup football caused by the Second World bestowed upon the Club by former War. When peacetime competition resumed in County striker, . Much like in 1946, many players were past their best whilst 1984, something clicked for a team that had Lawton and Mercer soon moved on. At odds been in a state of transition during the previous with the directors, T.G. left the Club in 1950, after season. And, just like Kendall’s champions, the 14 years’ service, to run a hotel in Pwllheli. 1938/39 team was a finely-tuned mix of youth If you have memories of T.G. and his and experience, skill and steel. teammates, either as players or in later life, Agile goalkeeper Ted Sagar was nicknamed Rob can be contacted via 07779 483713 or ‘The Boss’ for the way he dominated his box. [email protected] Uncompromising full-backs Billy Cook and Norman Greenhalgh struck fear into wingers like , and the three-man half- back line was the bedrock of the team. was an established England international whilst the veteran captain, Jock Thomson, contributed nous and physicality

(Gordon Watson was an able deputy when Joe Mercer (left called-upon). Between them strode one in picture) – who missed only of Goodison’s greatest in T.G. Jones - the one game – and unflappable centre-half who combined 38-goal Tommy Lawton were defensive dominance with playmaking ability. key men in the The forward line was no less impressive. Blues’ success

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