United

Liverpool and Manchester United also made their mark in this period, winning the title four times between them. Liverpool had come a long way since their League baptism in 1893. Just six years later they were on course for tlie Double, but were hammered 5-0 by Villa in a tide showdown, diein lost an FA Cup semi-final to ShefQeld United. That was the year that Liverpool changed their colours from blue-and-white quarters to red. It didn’t help them then, but two years later, 1900-01, the dtle went to Anfield for the first time. On that occasion, instead of riding high then falling away, as they had done two years earlier, the team went on a tremendous late run which included nine wins and three draws in the 12 games. A 1 -0 victory at relegated West Bromwich Albion clinched the championship.

Raisbeck stars at Anfield

Liverpool’s star was Alex Raisbeck. In his third season at the club, the Scottish international was tigerish in the tackle and outstanding in the air, despite standing only 5ft. 9in. taU. Raisbeck was still the lynchpin when Liverpool won their second title five years later, 1905-06. The intervening period had been something of a rollercoaster, the club having been relegated in 1903-04. But they made their mark in the record books by winning the Second and First Division championships in consecutive seasons. 1905-06 was also noteworthy for the fact that Everton beat Newcastle in the FA Cup Final; Liverpool’s journalists made much capital out of their city’s footballing supremacy that year.

Spectators climb trees to watch the 1912 Cup Final between Barnsley and West Bromwich Albion, that ended in a no-score draw. Second Division Barnsley finally defeated West Brom by a single goal scored during extra time in the replay. Three successive drawn Cup Finals convinced the FA to change the rules of the competition to allow extra time to be played should the first match be tied.