Sporting Genes: 100 years of Sporting Achievements

'Sporting Genes: 100 years of Sporting Achievements' is a unique and fascinating account of the noteworthy sporting achievements of four generations of the Rankin/Fraser family. It contains an exceptional collection of photographs.

It begins in 1901 with Bruce Rankin, who played for Everton FC and other clubs. He was an England triallist and in 1905 travelled to Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia on Everton’s first ever foreign tour.

Bruce’s son Billy was also on Everton’s books and played for Marine FC in the 1932 FA Amateur Cup Final. He represented England at baseball and later became a baseball referee.

Grandsons, George and Andy Rankin, were Everton players too – George in the 1950s, Andy a decade later. George represented England Youth, whilst Andy was capped at Under-23 level, and also made more than 300 appearances for Watford.

The journey ends in the 1990s with Bruce’s great grandson, Gavin Fraser, who played rugby union during its transition from an amateur to a professional sport, and represented Scotland at various levels.

About the Author

Gordon Fraser left his native Scotland in 1960 to join the Liverpool City Police Cadets, retiring 33 years later from Merseyside Police as a Chief Superintendent.

Following his retirement, he worked as a self-employed Information Systems consultant for 10 years. His assignments included advising several Southern African police forces for the Department for International Development.

Married with four grown up children, he is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Formby and a Paul Harris Fellow. His hobbies include walking, cycling and researching family history.