The Emerald Evertonian: The Life and Times of Peter Farrell

‘Peter had the same attitude to football as myself – he gave 110 percent every single match and you couldn’t help but play for the man. He was where my inspiration came from. He wouldn’t give up on any ball and he was a great man to have on your side rather than against you.'

Dave Hickson — 1999

453 appearances for Everton — ranking eighth in the all-time appearance maker chart. Eight seasons as club captain in his 11 years at Goodison, also leading his country a number of times in his 35-match international career with the two Ireland teams (FAI and IFA). Promotion-winning player-manager at Tranmere Rovers and successful boss at T.E.K. United. However, these facts give only a hint of the impact and influence that Peter Farrell had in a football career in his native Ireland, England and North Wales. After five years of research and writing, I am now proud to share The Emerald Evertonian: The Life and Times of Peter Farrell (pub. Toffeeopolis via Mount Vernon Publishing).

Although having some paternal family roots in Liverpool, Farrell was proud to be born and bred in Dalkey, just outside Dublin. In the biography of the great man, I trace his footballing journey - in a country in which the round ball game was often frowned upon – which started at Cabinteely United and Shamrock Rovers. Newly capped in 1946, he made the switch to Everton with his great friend Tommy Eglington (who gets his own chapter in the book) and never regretted it.

Drawing on previously untapped sources and first-hand recollections, I chart Farrell’s increasing influence on a Toffees team that was hamstrung by the after-effects of the season hiatus in domestic football. From the despair of relegation in 1951 to the elation of leading the side back up to the top flight three years later, Peter was the ultimate professional, who gave his all in every match. Alas, in spite of some exciting cup runs, silverware eluded the skipper. Nonetheless, he endeared himself to the hearts of Evertonians, and Merseysiders more generally, with his inspirational efforts on the pitch and commitment to the community he lived in.

Peter flanked by Dave Hickson and John Willie Parker

Peter's alcove in FAI head office

Ironically, perhaps his sweetest moment at Goodison came in a green shirt, as he scored the goal which confirmed an unprecedented defeat for England on home soil by a foreign opponent. I explore the what-might-have-beens of his international career, including the FAI passing up on the opportunity to participate in the 1950 World Cup finals, staged in Brazil.

Having moved on to Tranmere Rovers in 1957, the rookie player-manager blessed Prenton Park with a brand of football rarely bettered by the Wirral club. By the early 1960s, after a spell overseeing Holyhead Town, Peter was back home, combining football coaching with work as an insurance agent and sports broadcaster. Tragically, this came to a halt in the 1970s when this erudite man began a battle with advancing dementia, he was backed by the immense love and support of his family.

Comparisons can easily be drawn with that other great Everton and Ireland captain, Séamus, Coleman, and I am thrilled that the man from Killybegs kindly wrote the forward for this book. Coleman aside, I think Farrell merits comparison with another great leader in royal blue who combined competitiveness with gentlemanly conduct: Brian Labone.

The Emerald Evertonian not only gives an insight into one of Everton’s most loyal and beloved servants, but also provides a window into football at club and international level in the years following the Second World War. The text is accompanied by many rare photos of the Irishman at work and play.

The Emerald Evertonian: The Life and Times of Peter Farrell can be purchased online from Mount Vernon Publishing, Amazon or through all good bookshops.