Tag Archives: Tom Wyllie

Liverpool Win the Cup But Have to Wait for Trophy

When Liverpool won Liverpool Senior Cup in 1892-93 they had to wait a few days for the trophy. This was due to an appeal by beaten finalists Everton who felt crucial refereeing decisions had gone against them.

Liverpool beat Chester and Bootle to reach the final, which was played on 22nd April 1893. It was the first time that Liverpool and Everton had ever met and a large crowd of 10,000 gathered at Bootle’s Hawthorne Road ground. Liverpool were at full strength, but Everton fielded a mixture of first teamers and reserves as they had a friendly against Scottish side Renton at Goodison Park on the same day.

It was cynically suggested by some that Everton had done this to ensure any defeat against Liverpool could be excused as they did not play their strongest side. However the fact that the crowd at Bootle was five times higher than at Goodison indicated that for the fans, this remained the most important game.

After winning the toss Liverpool chose to play with the wind in the first half and Hugh McQueen had a shot well turned away for a corner by keeper Richard Williams. The first half was mainly one-way traffic with Williams making some fine saves, including one from a firm header by Tom Wyllie. Everton’s keeper also saved with his feet from McBride and when he was finally beaten by Matt McQueen, the shot went just over the bar.

The game was rough at times, with Hugh McQueen being reprimanded by the referee for what the Liverpool Mercury described as a ‘jumping charge.’ In the 35th minute John McCartney conceded a free kick for holding, but Everton wasted the opportunity and gave possession away.  From the breakaway John Miller passed to Wyllie (below) who scored with a fine low shot. Before half time Everton scored from an indirect free kick and the goal was disallowed, then there were protests that Joe McQue had committed a foul but instead a ‘throw up’ (that era’s version of a drop ball) was granted.

Tom_Wyllie

In the second half Everton took advantage of the wind and had a number of chances, but their shooting was poor. On one Liverpool breakaway Wyllie had a shot well saved by Williams, but it was generally a backs to the wall job in the second half, with the defenders clearing the ball as far away as possible rather than try to play the ball out.

a contentious moment in the last few minutes when a scramble took place in the goalmouth following an Everton corner. There were appeals for a penalty when it was claimed that a Liverpool player had fisted the ball away. controversial moment. The referee Herbie Arthur was persuaded to consult with his linesmen but they both agreed there had been no handball and a throw up was awarded. As soon as this had taken place, the final whistle sounded.

Everton were so furious at the refusal to give a penalty that they immediately lodged a complaint to the Liverpool County FA officials, citing the ‘general incompetence’ of the referee. It was decided not to award the cup pending a hearing at the Neptune Hotel in Clayton Square (situated where Tesco is now) two days later. The Mercury reported that they: ‘After a lengthy debate decided that the protest be not sustained.’

On Wednesday 26th April, when Liverpool took on a Lancashire League XI at Anfield, they were presented with the cup by Mr A. B. Hull from the Liverpool FA, as well as the Lancashire League trophy. Both cups though were stolen in September from a pawn shop in Paddington where they were on display. The club had to pay £130 to replace them.