Blue-blooded; Director has link to club's founding father.

Byline: DAVE PRENTICE

JON WOODS is a born and bred Evertonian - he had no choice. Everton's unsung deputy chairman can trace his Royal Blue blood line back beyond the cradle, to the club's pioneering days as a founder member of the Football League.

Because the Blues director is a direct descendant of Dr James Clement Baxter, the equally unsung hero hugely influential in the early growth and development of the club.

Those family ties mean that Everton is the only one of the Football League's original 12 clubs still with direct links to their founding fathers - and it is a link of which Woods is justifiably proud.

"I've always known I was related to Dr Baxter. It was just something I've never been asked about until now," he explained.

"Dr Baxter had three children - two sons and a daughter - and the daughter was maiden aunt to me. And yes, it's something I'm proud of.

"I've always been an Evertonian, it's the blood in my veins. And I'm pretty confident that none of the other 12 founder members of the Football League have direct descendants of their original founding fath-erin the boardroom today. We are a club built on heritage and history and I'm tickled pink to be part of it " Dr Baxter is one of the stars of Everton's rich football heritage.

He was the man who stood firm alongside George Mahon when a fractious split tore the club apart more than a century ago and led to the creation of Liverpool FC.

Where Mahon was a leading figure in the local Methodist community, Baxter held the same esteem among the city's Catholics. He was educated at St Francis Xavier College and be-cama physician of some renown amongst the local Irish community.

He also made a name for himself in the world of politics and represented the Liberal Party on the City Council from 1906 to 1920.

During his association with Everton he was to hold several positions from medical advisor to director and chairman but his biggest contribution came when he joined forces with Mahon when the fight with John Houlding came to a climax in 1892.

With the destiny of the club relying on a move away from Anfield, and the clutches of John Houlding, money was needed to build a new ground on the recently acquired plot of land on Goodison Road, called Mere Green.

The finances needed for the building work were raised in various ways and along with money already held by the club the ground was ready for the start of the 1892-93 season, but the club had stretched itself to its limits.

George Mahon knew that a poor season could seriously damage the stability of the club, this is when Dr Baxter stepped in.

He advanced Everton pounds 1000 in the shape of an interest free loan and asked for no security, thus establishing the club's future.

At a stormy AGM on June 5, 1895 George Mahon resigned as the club's chairman and reluctantly Dr Baxter took over the leadership.

He was relieved to later find out that his old friend had been induced to resume his position.

Baxter's interest free loans allowed Everton's Victorian pioneers to start again at Goodison Park and construct a stadium which quickly became recognised as the best in the land. And it was his guidance as chairman which established Everton as one of the early giants of British football.

"Obviously I have no personal memory of him," added the deputy chairman who, like his ancestor has backed the B lues both on the terraces and through his private funds.

"But I've done some research with the help of a few family reminiscences.

"He had a practice in Robson Street, near Anfield. He had three children, two sons and a daughter, who was maiden aunt to me.

"I do recall his daughter, my aunt, going to matches when I was a child and the police closing off the street so she could be dropped off at the main entrance.

"I've always been an Evertonian - I had no choice really, did I? I first started to go to Goodison Park in the 1950s and I have vague memories of the old main stand with coal fires.

"I joined the board in 2000, largely through being in the right place at the right time."

Brought up in his native Liverpool, Woods founded the computer-entertainment firm Ocean Software, which became a global success.

He is a friend and staunch ally of chairman Bill Kenwright - and between them they have seen the Blues establish themselves as a top six side in the Premier League and last season reach their first FA Cup final for 14 years.

He continues to live just 40 minutes from the stadium and never misses a game, adding "Bill calls being a Blue an addiction, for me it's a family one."

CAPTION(S):

Everton director Jon Woods with chairman and close friend Bill Kenwright (left); Woods' ancestor Dr James Clement Baxter (above), who helped build Goodison Park stadium (below)