The War Years

1915 - 1919

Following the decision to complete the 1914-15 season the football authorities, along with central government, decided to suspend league football until the Great War was over, and play regional matches instead. The overriding reason to restrict football to regional games and leagues was to take the strain off the countries transport system, which was becoming stretched to its limits moving soldiers and munitions to the war in Europe. The decision to continue entertainment at any level was considered, in some quarters, as immoral and unthinkable, however, the experienced governing bodies throughout the country countered that football would be an essential tonic for both the men at the front line and also those left at home.

Everton played their one part and the club directors sent a £500 cheque to the National War Fund right away, and continued to make regular contributions, including the proceeds of substantial collections. The players also did their bit and agreed to remit between five and fifteen per cent of their wages to the fund, a drill sergeant was invited by the club to put club officials, players through military training, so they would be ready for service, if required. The first member of the staff at Everton to join up was vice-chairman, Mr E Green.

Mr W. C. Cuff had taken over the position of club secretary and it proved to be a very busy, anxious and exacting time for him, as he struggled to keep the club going during the four and a half years of hostilities. He succeeded well, and the three full seasons Everton played in regional tournaments their record was excellent and at the end of the last season won their regional title, only to lose the championship decider to the Midland winners, Nottingham Forest. Everton’s full record in the Lancashire war-time league was:

	Played	Won	Drew	Lost	Scored	Against	Points
1915-16	25	15	0	10	59	42	30
1916-17	30	15	8	7	62	41	37
1917-18	30	19	5	6	92	36	44
1918-19	30	27	1	2	108	26	26

A series of International games were played around the country in the Spring of 1919, to celebrate the ‘Victory’ and end of the War in November 1918. Everton were honoured with the match against Scotland and 45,000, paying £3,369, turned out to witness the occasion and saw the two countries play out a 2-2 draw.

To get football reorganised after the war was going to be lengthy and complicated, and as soon as the war was over the Football association began their arduous task with vigour. Things were tough due to the loss of revenue from cup finals and international matches and the FA had to accept a grant of £1,000 from the League in order to function. Before the season got under way it was agreed that the league should be increased to 22 teams, in view of the change it was decided that only one team would be relegated and three promoted. Tottenham Hotspurs were the unlucky team to be relegated as they had finished bottom in the season prior to the outbreak of war. Derby County and Preston North End were automatically promoted as they finish first and second respectively and the League administrators in their wisdom also promoted The Arsenal who had only finished sixth in the second division, this was to leave a long and lingering bitterness with Tottenham.

At Everton changes had also taken place, Will Cuff had resigned as club secretary in 1918 and J. Sawyer had taken over the responsibilities for the a year before handing over to Tom McIntosh, who had a very good record at Middlesbrough and was soon to establish himself at Everton. He was a vital link between the players and the boardroom and was trusted by both, so if either side had any issues they went through McIntosh, safe in the knowledge that the full facts would be put forward.