Broken Dreams: Everton, The War & Goodison’s Lost Generation

The first title published by the Toffeeopolis collective

In the late summer of 1939, Everton Football Club had the world at their feet. After a 1938/39 season that saw them claim the League Championship title, they seemed poised to become an enduring dynasty in English football. With young stars like Tommy Lawton, a veteran goalkeeper in Ted Sagar, and emerging talents like Joe Mercer and TG Jones, Everton was a squad bursting with potential. But the invasion of Poland by Germany, just eight days into the 1939/40 season, suspended the dreams and ambitions of a team that looked set to dominate the decade.

“Broken Dreams: Everton, The War and Goodison’s Lost Generation” takes you on a thrilling journey through the most tumultuous era in the club’s historyfrom the depths of relegation in the early 1930s to the soaring highs of league championships and FA Cup victories. Against the backdrop of historical change and sporting evolution, the book explores the players, the strategies, and the boardroom dynamics that shaped the Toffees through this rollercoaster decade.

Packed with intricate details, player profiles, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, this book pays homage to the men who could have been legends in an era that could have been iconic. While some went on to become household names, others vanished into the footnotes of history—but each left an indelible mark on a club that would not taste such glory again for many years.

Rob Sawyer is a founding member of Toffeeopolis and author of several Everton-related books. His biography of TG Jones was shortlisted in the 2018 Sports Book of the Year awards.