Debut:
01/09/1900 v Glossop (A) 0-1 (League Division Two)
Farewell:
Retired from the game 05/1908
Passed Away:
24/02/1953
Biography
With a side business and a parallel cricketing career, it was just as well Alfred Schofield was only a bit part player with Everton during the late 1890s. He had joined the Toffees from local Merseyside football but, following his debut against Preston North End on March 7th, 1896, he only figured a further twelve times for the first team over the next four years.
Instead, Alf graced Everton's reserve team (as sub captain, no less), sending beautiful crosses from the right flank, and earning £2-10 per week for his efforts. Liverpool attempted to buy him in May 1897 but bulked at the £150 fee. Three years later, his value dropped to £75 but Glossop would not bite. At last, Newton Heath were able to snag him for £50 in April 1900 as Willie Bryant's replacement.
Schofield would spend the next 8 years at Bank Street, seeing through the switch to Manchester United, promotion and a benefit in 1906, and still being part of the club when the first league title was won two years later. Alf made his debut against Glossop on September 1st, 1900, and ended his first season as second leading marksman with 9 overall goals. He even got 11 goals in 1903-04 but his senior career came to an end when he became "the man who had the misfortune to play second fiddle to Meredith". Once United introduced the Welsh Wizard on New Year's Day 1907, Schofield never saw first-team action again. He did play on for the stiffs, however, until the early months of 1908.
Throughout this time, Alf played cricket during the summers, and he was a 'first rate batsman' at that. Based around the corner from Goodison Park in Walton-on-the-Hill all along, he represented Bootle from 1900 to 1904. Then, in May 1907, he switched allegiance to East Lancashire, and there was much interest in his debut, on account of him being a well-known footballer. It was not until 1909 that Alf drew the curtain on his cricketing - and altogether athletic - career.
When the Great War began, Alf joined up with the Pals but it was reported in May 1918 that he had wounded his head in action and was recuperating in a Glamorgan hospital. Thanks to Tony Onslow for his researching effort & the correct information on Alfred Schofield. Alfred Schofield became a wealthy coal merchant. Biography kindly provided by Charbel Boujaoude.
