If you know your history you'll know the proper derby wasn't today but rather will be taking place on Monday night at the swanky Delta Taxis Stadium in Bootle. Being a plazzy Bucks fan I've never actually been to a Bootle game but am going to this one after being swept along by the "build-up", I might even take my camera.
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1893-2010: “Long Time No See!”
The recent Quarter Final draw for the Liverpool County FA Senior Cup has given Bootle a mouth-watering home tie against Everton F.C. – and, we have previous!
Tony Onslow’s book ‘The Forgotten Rivals’, traces the origins of the original ‘Merseyside’ derby games between Everton and Bootle and makes for fascinating reading. The very first competitive game between the two sides took place on 20th October 1880 with Bootle running out winners by 4 goals to 0.
In addition, first ‘bragging rights’ in the LCFA Senior Cup (known then as the Liverpool & District Challenge Cup) went to Bootle by way of a 3-1 victory in 1883. This was the inaugural year of the competition and Bootle went on to lift the trophy.
However, things haven’t always gone our way in these derby games and, in fact, the last ever meeting between the two clubs occurred in the final of the LCFA Senior Cup on 25th April 1893. The game was played at Hawthorne Road in front of a crowd of over 1500 and Everton emerged as victors by the odd goal in three. Unfortunately, this would be the last game the original Bootle FC ever played as they went into liquidation shortly afterwards. So, we’ll settle for a similar attendance this time but not the result ...............or the aftermath!
Everton have won this trophy more times than any other side (45 times) so it’s a case of the ‘first versus the most’ and, it’s Everton who are the form team going into this one having won 9 of the previous 13 games against Bootle between 1885 and 1893!
Having said that, the Bucks (though a little ‘ring rusty’ like everyone else at the moment!) have changed dramatically since those early days (a few dodgy haircuts in the current squad aside) and are currently on an unbeaten run, having won their last 6 league and cup games so, it’s all set for a cracking game, an enjoyable occasion and hopefully, a great night for the club.
The date for the game was confirmed today as Monday 8th February 2010; KO 8pm at Delta Taxis Stadium, Vesty Road (off Bridle Road) Bootle.
Adult admission is £4 (by ticket only);
Seniors & Children: £1.50 (pay at the gate on the night)
Tickets for the game will be on sale shortly and will be available from the Bootle FC Clubhouse, Players and Staff. Failing that, please contact Ian Porter (Head of Club & Community Development) by email:
community@bootlebucks.com or mobile: 07815872178 if you want to purchase some tickets.
Also, as it’s been ‘a while’ since we last met Everton - well, 117 years give or take - we thought we’d commemorate this historic occasion (for Bootle FC at least!) by producing a 44-page, full colour souvenir programme – jam-packed with all manner of information, articles and photos and, great value at just £2. The Everton Collection Charitable Trust have given us permission to use some of the superb images from their collection and the Club itself have been brilliant to work with during our preparations for what will be history in the making – 21st Century-style!
Finally, as part of our promotional plans to advertise the game, Ian and Joe Doran (Club Secretary) have been invited to join Tony Snell on his Radio Merseyside show to chat about the match and the Club in general. They’ll be on air at approximately 7.30am, on Friday 22nd February. If you miss it, please don’t panic, a recording of the show should be available on iPlayer for a couple of weeks afterwards!
Cmon the Bucks!!!
http://www.webteams.co.uk/Home.aspx?team=bootlefc