Description
West Derby, Liverpool born right back Bob Balmer joined First Division Everton in 1902 and made his Football League debut at home to Middlesbrough in January 1903 playing 188 games over ten seasons at Goodison Park without ever scoring, playing his last match in April 1912. Initially a fringe player at Goodison Park, he broke into the team with more regularity from January 1905 although he was not selected for Everton’s 1906 FA Cup Final triumph.
However he did play in the FA Cup Final a year later when Everton lost 2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday at The Crystal Palace. He remained a regular until the end of 1910-11 but only played once more thereafter, his final game against Blackburn in April 1912 before his eventual retirement.
He played many games alongside brother Billy Balmer, who also played for England, and was the uncle of Liverpool’s Jackie Balmer.