Archive
Match details
Friendly
Rasunda Stadium | Sunday 17 May 1914
| Swedish XI | 0 | - | 8 | Liverpool |
Goals
- Billy Banks 9'
- Own goal 13'
- Tom Miller 20'
- Tom Miller 40'
- Bill Lacey 43'
- Bill Lacey 69'
- Billy Banks 75'
- Donald McKinlay 85'
Notes
- Tour: Tour of Sweden And Denmark (1914)
- Campbell, Longworth, Crawford, Fairfoul, Ferguson, Wadsworth, Sheldon, Banks, Miller, Lacey, Mackinlay.
Mr. Tom Watson sends me a card, on which is the latest photograph of the Liverpool F.C. party, and says: – “Everyone has enjoyed himself. Home on Thursday at 2:15 p.m.”
Fairfoull, writing under the date of May 18, sends another letter about Liverpool’s tour: -
“We played our third and last match in Stockholm on Sunday, 17th inst., against a select Swedish eleven. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the Stadium was not available owing to a Marathon race being on. This, it was feared, might to some extent soil the gate, as the ground on which the game had to be played is situated three miles outside the city. It was therefore a big compliment to Liverpool F.C. to find 9,000 people (amongst those present were the two children of the Crown Prince) when the turned out in sweltering heat, more suited to cricket than football. The team was: Campbell; Longworth and Crawford; Myself, Ferguson, and Wadsworth; Sheldon, Banks, Miller, Lacey, and McKinlay. This was expected to be our stiffest match, and after our comparatively poor display on the Friday, the Swedish people were not without hope of at least a draw. These hopes were very soon dissipated. Our boys, settling down to a fine passing game, completely wandered the Swedes, Banks scoring in a few minutes.
“The play was entirely confined to our opponents’ half of the field, our boys having some nice pratice in weaving patterns, back heeling, swerving, etc. They could do this sort of thing with the greatest confidence, as the Swedes were very poor stuff indeed. Lacey scored, and then to make things worse, the Swedish left back, with a beautiful header, gave us a third. The Swedish team were completely demoralised. Miller scored a fourth (a really good goal – he beat the centre half cleverly, and went straight through between the backs, who closed in, but failed to keep pace with Tommy, who ran right in and gave the goalkeeper no chance). Lacey again scored before the interval, but perhaps the best forward on the field at this time was little Banks; his play was great, and he kept Sheldon running the whole time, and this wing was easily the best on the field. The second half is not worth chronicling, the game being a farce. Our boys did as they liked, and kept the Swedes on the trot the whole time. McKinlay scored a beauty, the crowd cheering him enthusiastically. They kept up a continual cry for more goals! It seemed bit funny for spectators to want more goals against their own club! This was only a sample of their good sportsmanship, for they never failed to encourage their own players. The game finished up eight goals to nothing. We had all been looking forward to seeing the centre who had opposed us in Gothenburg play again. He couldn’t get away, so we were disappointed. We were again entertained by the Swedish Football Association after the match, and later on some of the players and Mr. Watson were tossed by the Swedish team. I was a bit afraid they might toss me up, and forget to catch me coming down, so I skipped off. We had a great night and I am sure nether player nor officials will forget the kindly and appreciative way in which they have been treated by the Swedish people.”
(Liverpool Echo, 26-05-1914) - Transcribed by Kjell Hanssen
Other details
- Attendance: 9,000
