On 20th December 1912, a Football League Commission met in Manchester to hear an appeal by William Hunter against the action of Barnsley FC in giving him 14 days notice to terminate his contract on the grounds of ‘palpable inefficiency’. The club represented that Hunter had proved a failure as a player despite being given the opportunity to play in two league games and 11 Central League games. Hunter, who had been signed from South Shields, maintained that no complaints had been made to him about his play. Barnsley accepted that his conduct and character were exemplary. Hunter also pointed out that his playing history disproved the allegations. The Commission found that the club had not made a case enabling them to dismiss him and Barnsley were ordered to pay expenses. Unsurprisingly, Hunter did not make a further first team appearance. I'll henceforth be using palpably inefficient when players are ***t. Mido, Obbi Oulare, Frimpong, Brek Shea = palpably inefficient!
Somehow I don't think it'll catch on. Can't for the life of me believe I'll be hearing a lone voice booming from out of the stands saying "Tha's palpably inefficient Styles!"
Probably not, but you nailed it when you chose Styles as your example. It's like the phrase was coined for him. Callum Palpably Inefficient Styles Josh Intrinsically Ineffectual Benson
