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FOOTBALLERS have had their careers ended by knee ligament injuries, broken legs and serious eye problems.

But on this day in history - 105 years ago - an Everton legend played in an FA Cup semi-final which had bizarre - and tragic repercussions.

Jack Taylor, a giant of Everton’s early history, suffered a broken larynx in an Old Trafford replay against Barnsley. It was his 456th - and last - appearance for The Toffees.

At the time Everton were already a much decorated top flight side and favourites to reach their fifth final. Barnsley were a mid-table second tier team, and the tactics employed by the Yorkshiremen to bridge the gap were dubious.

“More than a little feeling began to be infused, Boyle and Young coming in violent contact,” reported the following day’s Echo, and “The game was stopped for a few moments.”

The Echo reporter was also unhappy at the choice of venue.

“We all hate Leeds” became a popular terrace chant in the 60s and 70s.

But it was a sentiment which was endorsed way back in the Edwardian era, when “Bee” took exception to the staging of the tie at Leeds United’s Elland Road.

It was hardly neutral territory with the 36,000 crowd containing just 3,000 away followers - or “excursionists” as they were referred to in the Edwardian report.

“The arrangements for so important a match were the limit,” he stung. “Leeds is not a home for a semi-final tie, and whatever excuse the Football Association may have for asking us here is no excuse for the arrangements made.

“As usual the Press workers came off badly. Any number of Liverpool excursionists left in the cold, as the gates were closed some time before the kick off.”

The replay was staged five days later at Manchester United’s then new Old Trafford stadium.

And the Echo headlines summed up a clash where feelings were still clearly running high from the first match.

“VIGOROUS GAME AT MANCHESTER - TAYLOR AND SCOTT INJURED - TWO PENALTYS (sic) MISSED” it read.

Everton were forced to play 75 minutes with 10-men after Taylor suffered his freak injury.

At one stage they were also without a goalkeeper, Billy Scott having to leave the field injured after Barnsley opened the scoring, Macconachie deputising.

He later returned, but was clearly struggling for the rest of the contest and Barnsley added two more goals in the 85th and 87th minutes.

But it was the bizarre injury to Taylor which was the most distressing.

“Few of those on the grandstand really saw what happened,” reported the Echo. “The fact is that Taylor received a kick in the throat.

“At first the impression was that he had swallowed something, for the doctor and the trainer seemed to be directing their attention to his throat. He was obviously suffering, and after Dr. Baxter and Dr Whitford had examined him in the dressing room it was seen that he would be unable to take any further part of the match. His larynx had been injured and it was with difficulty that he could speak.”

The injury was clearly far worse than the reporter feared.

Taylor never played for Everton again.

There was an unexpected legacy to the incident.

After Barnsley held Newcastle 1-1 in the Cup final staged at Crystal Palace, the replay was set for April 28, 1910 ... at Goodison Park.

Again it was a hard fought affair, the Manchester Guardian commenting that Barnsley played “one man for the man, another for the ball,” and querying the choice of venue as “any local supporters would hardly be neutral.”

The reports comment on the enthusiasm of the crowd, but do not mention whether there was any hangover from the brutal semi-final.

There were certainly repercussions for the unfortunate Jack Taylor.

His top flight career was ended and the next time he kicked a ball again it was in non-league football for South Liverpool.