Liverpool and the Shepley Connexion; HUDDERSFIELD DISTRICT Author unearths the religious link with Merseyside football

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), April 26, 2008

Byline: By Express & Chronicle News Correspondent

SPORTS fans and local historians are to hear the amazing story about the founder of both Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs.

The Rev Ben Swift Chambers was born in Stocksmoor in 1845, spent his early years in Shepley where he became involved in the New Connexion Chapel and by the age of 24 had completed his theological training and started his work as a minister.

In 1877 he was appointed Circuit Superintendent and Minister of St Domingo Chapel in the Everton district of Liverpool.

Within a short time he had started a cricket club, mainly to keep the young men of his parish out of trouble and away from the evils of drink!

As winter approached the young men decided to form the St Domingo Football Club.

A year later they changed their name to Everton - and this was the start of one of the world's most famous football teams.

Fourteen years later, tensions caused a split and this rift gave birth to Liverpool FC.

The Rev Chambers died in November 1901 and is buried in the New Connexion Churchyard in Shepley. His somewhat dilapidated grave is to be restored and rededicated in July.

This fascinating story is included in are cently published book - Thank God For Football. The author, Peter Lupson, is coming to Shepley Methodist Church in Lane Head Road, Shepley on Monday May 19 at 7.30pm to give a talk - Church Roots of famous Football Clubs including Everton and Liverpool and their links with Shepley.

Admission is free and all football fans, historians and locals are welcome to attend on what should be a fascinating evening.

CAPTION(S):

ANOTHER LINK: The Bill Shankly Gates at Anfield. The legendary Scot was, of course, former manager of Huddersfield Town before moving on to Liverpool; ON THE MOVE: the main stand at Everton FC's Anfield home in 1891 prior to the move to Goodison Park; RESTING PLACE: Author Peter Lupson examines the grave of the Rev Ben Swift Chambers who died in November 1901 and is buried in the New Connexion Churchyard in Shepley. His somewhat dilapidated grave is to be restored and rededicated in July; FRONT COVER: Peter Lupson's new book; CLUB ROOTS: An undated Liverpool Football Club team photograph from the 1892-1900 period. (Back row are directors, from left. J Dermott, B Bailey, S Cooper FC Howarth, A Nisbet, H Cooper, C Gibson, H P Ellis, I Crosthwaite (Middle row, players, from left) John McCartney, Marr McQueen and Andrew Hannah. There are no other caption details available other than Harry Bradshaw (third right, front row).; ALL CHANGE: A drawing of Everton Football Club's Anfield ground in 1891 prior to the move to Goodison Park across Stanley Park in the city