ABSTRACT
The roots of the original Everton FC are to be found in the evangelizing muscular Christian movement of the latter part of the nineteenth century. Among the Anglican and Nonconformist ministry – and more especially in urban areas – there was great concern to provide leisure activities for their congregations. The move by the clergy towards the provision of sport was stimulated by the struggle by workers to shorten the working day through organizations such as the Nine Hours Movement. While advocating this shortening of the working day, churchmen were concerned with the type of activities workers might pursue in their extended free time away from work.
