A product of Birmingham League football in his native Hereford, Bert Sharp had two good seasons in the professional game – the first of his two at Aston Villa in the First Division and his one season in the Southern League with Southampton. His second season at Villa and his two spells at Everton were less productive. His move from Goodison to The Dell was interrupted by a successful summer of cricket for his native county, for a batting average of over 40.

A versatile defender, he started for the Saints at left-half, but moved to right-back in November and then mainly stayed there – save for Christmas and the Third Round of the FA Cup, when CB Fry put in an appearance, as was his wont.

Despite missing only six games as the Saints won the Southern League for the fourth time, he returned to Everton at the end of the season. After only six more games in the Football League, he finished his playing career as an amateur in Lancashire football.  By then, he had become the landlord of the Salutation, opposite Goodison Park. He would later become a director at Everton, along with Jack, his younger brother. Jack’s career, both as a footballer and cricketer, had eclipsed Bert’s more than somewhat: 342 League games for Everton and two England caps; plus 534 first-class matches for Lancashire and three Tests.