Cricket's greatest all-rounder, Sir Garry Sobers, who died on Friday aged 89, once had a trial as a goalkeeper with Everton Football Club, according to Liverpool legend David Fairclough and Liverpool ECHO archives.
Fairclough's encounter with Sobers
Fairclough, a two-time European Cup winner, recalled meeting Sobers during a coaching visit to Barbados. "I got the chance to speak to the great man during a coaching visit we made to Barbados a few years ago," he said. "During a break we were invited to Royal Westmorland Golf Club where I met him. He asked where I was from and what I did, and when I told him he revealed he'd once had a trial at Everton, as a goalkeeper!"
1960 trial report
An article from July 14, 1960, in the Liverpool ECHO, headlined "Sobers to have trial at Goodison," confirmed the story. It stated: "Garfield Sobers, the 24-year-old Bradman of West Indian cricket, is anxious to try to establish himself as a League footballer - he is a goalkeeper - and will have a trial with Everton FC as soon as his cricket commitments permit." Everton manager John Carey said: "It would be nice to have a sportsman of his standing. We have told him that we shall give him every opportunity to establish himself."
Sobers' own account
Sobers told Fairclough the trial took place but added: "They obviously didn't think much of me!" At the time, Sobers was playing for Radcliffe Cricket Club in the Central Lancashire League. He had played football competitively in Barbados, primarily as a left-back, making his trial as a goalkeeper curious. His favourite sport was golf, and Fairclough declined an offer to play as his partner, a decision he said "has haunted me ever since."
Everton's history with cricketers
Everton had previous with cricketing footballers. Jack Sharp, an Everton FA Cup winner in 1906, scored the 100th century in Test cricket. Harry Makepeace, also in the 1906 FA Cup winning side and a league champion in 1915, played four Tests for England in the 1920–21 Ashes. Two years after Sobers' trial, Everton broke the British transfer record for a goalkeeper, signing Gordon West from Blackpool for £27,500.
