1906 SECOND LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
In 1906 Liverpool won the Football League Championship for the second time as they became the first club to win promotion and then become 1st Division champions in successive seasons.
Despite the eventual success the Reds started the season badly, losing their first three games. However they soon turned the corner and went on an eleven game unbeaten run between October and December.
Essentially the team was the same that had won promotion, except for Sam Hardy replacing Ned Doig in goal and Joe Hewitt, a centre forward signed from Sunderland in January 1904, being handed a regular place in the team. Hewitt's 24 goals were a crucial factor in Liverpool winning the title that season, the first time that twenty clubs played in the top flight.
On Easter Monday Liverpool, backed by 1,000 supporters, travelled to Bolton Wanderers knowing a win would clinch the title. Although they lost 3-2, Preston North End's defeat at Sunderland meant that the Reds could not be caught at the top of the table with one game remaining
Sadly Liverpool's hopes of doing a double that season were dashed by neighbours Everton, who beat them 2-0 in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park. As a reward for winning the championship though, the players were taken on a trip to Paris.
Extract taken from the book '100 Facts - Liverpool' by Steve Horton
Image: Liverpool F.C team 1906 with the league trophy