Wirral author sheds new light on Liverpool and Everton rivalry

Feb 3 2010 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

WITH the 213th Merseyside derby just days away, Wirral author Peter Lupson has uncovered information which challenges the assumed provenance of both Everton and Liverpool.

The author of Thank God for Football and Across the Park has maintained his interest in the history of the region’s two biggest teams and it seems he’s mining a rich seam.

The latest discovery relates to the role of sometime pantomime villain of Everton’s history, John Houlding.

The previously accepted version of events has Mr Houlding painted as a hard-nosed capitalist who forced Everton out of their Anfield home by putting up rents.

It has always been thought that when the Toffees refused to meet his demands, he kicked them out and established Liverpool FC.

Peter said: “The sort of picture everyone had meant that Everton disowned him and Liverpool supporters have been embarrassed that their club was seemingly born out of greed.”

But Peter says the recent discovery of a letter tells a very different story, and suggests Everton fans have a lot to thank Houlding for.

It appears that when the club was forced out of their Priory Road home in 1884 an appeal was made to Houlding, a wealthy local brewer, for a contribution of £6,000 to help build a new ground.

Although this was a significant amount of money at the turn of the 19th century, Houlding nevertheless agreed, with no guarantees and a rental return of just £100 a year.

It was only when the (now healthy) Everton earned a place in the football league – and higher revenues – that Houlding asked for the market rate in rent and the subsequent split ensued.

Peter added: “I always felt the coverage he received was almost all negative and it seemed unlikely that somebody could be all bad.”