Liverpool solicitor in the deal of a lifetime

Published: 23rd November 2007

MORE than a century of footballing history is on the brink of being sold with a Liverpool solicitor overseeing the deal.

The collection consists of more than 10,000 items dating back to 1880, including some from football's pioneering days in Stanley Park, which predominantly chart the histories of Everton Football Club and Liverpool Football Club but many artefacts also detail relationships with other clubs. It has been gathered together by Dr David France over a quarter of a century and is only being sold at a fraction of its market value on condition that it is conserved as one collection in Liverpool and is made available to everyone.

Mace & Jones Solicitors has been overseeing the legal side of the deal and helping to find the right buyer. It has been a five-year labour of love for solicitor Norman Jones, who's a Blue through and through.

Mr Jones said: "The items in this collection are truly unique and it would be impossible to build up something like this again. It is a real thrill as a solicitor to be involved in negotiations like this. This deal combines two passions of mine, Everton and the legal profession! It also illustrates how important personal relationships are in the legal field, that David, the collection's current owner, trusts me to help because he knows I have not only his interests, but the interests of the fans in Liverpool and worldwide, at heart."

Estimated in some quarters as worth in the region of £1.5m, a charitable trust has been set up by Lord Grantchester and others in order to raise the necessary finance to buy the collection, including a National Lottery grant.

Dr France, who is based in North America, said: "Many of the items are simply priceless. I have been told by people who know about these things that my collection is invaluable in terms of the social history it records. I see it as keeping something precious in the family, the Everton family. The level of support that Norman has given me throughout this process is second to none and his patience in the last five years has been outstanding."

This is not the first time that Norman Jones and David France have worked together as they were also instrumental in setting up The Former Everton Players' Foundation a registered charity to help provide medical operations, essential house repairs and respite care in later life. The charity has been adopted as the UEFA model by leading clubs throughout Europe.

If readers would like more information about Mace & Jones please contact Norman Jones on 0151 236 8989.