Everton is one of the most famous and storied clubs in England. With a rich history dating back almost 150 years, the Toffees were founding members of the Football League. The club has played at Goodison Park since 1892 but bid farewell to the stadium at the end of the 2024/25 season and will soon move into a new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock.
The Blues have played more top-flight seasons than any other team in England and remain an ever-present in the Premier League. This article will look back on the history of Everton and Goodison Park and focus on some of the club's most famous matches and players down the years.
Everton Silverware Success
Everton is one of the most successful football teams in England and, in fact, Europe. The Toffees have won nine league titles, five FA Cups, and the Cup Winners' Cup once and have experienced glory in nearly every decade of the club's existence.
The club won its first league title in 1891 when playing at Anfield - yes, the current home of Liverpool. Everton also finished first in 1915, 1928, 1932, 1939, 1963, 1970, and most recently in 1985 and 1987.
In 1906, the Blues lifted the FA Cup for the first time, beating Newcastle in the final played at Crystal Palace. The famous trophy was won again in 1933, 1966, 1984, and 1995, as the team came from two goals down to beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-2. The win on the continent came in 1985, as the Toffees defeated Austrian giants Rapid Vienna in the Cup Winners' Cup showpiece held at De Kuip in Rotterdam.
However, Everton is currently experiencing the longest barren run in club history. May this year mark three decades since the team's last trophy victory. If the Blues win a trophy, and, as one of the biggest teams in the country, it wouldn't be a massive shock for the club to finally land the FA Cup, though a Premier League title is probably out of the question soon.
The Current State of Play
Everton endured a difficult time through the 2020s and had to contend with annual relegation battles. For two seasons, the Toffees were not safe heading into the final home game of the season. A stunning comeback over Palace ensured survival in 2022, while a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth only just kept Everton up in 2023.
This season, though, the club achieved a second mid-table finish with returning manager David Moyes guiding the team to 31 points in 19 games. With the upturn in form and a relative blank canvas from which to work when it comes to recruitment over the summer, fans of the Toffees are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, and it is hoped Everton can start to challenge once again at the right end of the table.
If you are keen to look at the odds around the Blues pushing for a place in Europe next season, you can find various option at the top rated sportsbook where bonuses could enhance your play when it comes to the Toffees attempting to finish in the top six come the end of the season.
The Formation of the Club
Everton is a huge name in English football, founded in 1878. Starting at St Domingo's FC, the team was set up so that members of the St Domingo Methodist New Connexion Chapel in Breckfield Road North could play sport all year round. Cricket games were only enjoyed in the summer, and a football team was set up to play throughout the winter.
St Domingo's first game was a 1-0 win over an Everton Church Club. In November 1879, the team was renamed Everton as more people outside the congregation were keen to play, so it was called after the local area. The Blues were one of 12 founder members of the Football League and are an important part of English football history.
Moving into Goodison Park
Everton moved into Goodison Park in 1892, having played at various venues during the club's formative years. Originally playing in the southeast corner of Stanley Park, which has stood between the homes of Liverpool and Everton for more than 130 years, the club also played some games at Priory Road and Walton Stiles.
In 1884, the club became tenants at Anfield. John Orrell, a friend of Everton member John Houlding, owned it. The Blues rented the stadium but then moved out following a dispute over rising rent and found the site at Goodison. Houlding had attempted to take over Everton's name, colours, fixtures, and league position but was denied by the FA. From there, he formed a new club to play at the Anfield side, Liverpool.
Everton called Goodison home for 133 years, playing 2791 matches there. Every season, bar four, hosted top-flight football.
Famous Players
With a history the size of Everton Football Club, you're going to boast some giant names of football players, and that's certainly the case for the Toffees. Here are some of the most iconic players to have represented the team at Goodison.
Dixie Dean
Dixie Dean is the all-time top goalscorer in Everton history having netted an incredible 383 goals in 433 matches for the Toffees. The centre forward wrote his name into the record books during the Blues' 1928 title victory as he scored an incredible 60 goals in one season and it's a tally which has never been surpassed in English football.
Such was the striker's contribution that a statue was erected in his honor, where it stands proudly outside Goodison Park.
Bob Latchford
Bob Latchord is another striker adored by the Everton faithful. The forward scored 138 times for the club between 1974 and 1981. It was during the 1977/78 campaign that he shone brightest. A national newspaper had set a reward of £10,000 to any player who scored 30 goals in the First Division, and Latchford had netted 28 heading into the final fixture against Chelsea at Goodison Park.
The Toffees ran out 6-0 winners, but amazingly, when three up, Latchford hadn't yet got his name on the scoresheet. However, a first strike was followed up by a penalty, which he didn't usually take, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Neville Southall
For much of his career, Southall was considered the best goalkeeper in the world and was the foundation for the team's massive success under manager Howard Kendall. He is rightly considered a living legend at Goodison Park.
James Rodriguez
James Rodriguez may have only made 26 appearances for Everton during one season at Goodison Park. Still, in terms of famous players, the Colombian superstar is probably the biggest name to play for the Toffees this century, along with Wayne Rooney and Samuel Eto'o.
James is one of the most followed players and, in fact, sportspeople. He helped put Everton back on the map to a global audience from South America to Asia and beyond. The playmaker's silky skills wowed supporters, and he is thought of fondly.
Famous Matches
Goodison Park has hosted thousands of football matches over the years, and World Cup games were even played at the stadium in 1966, with the likes of Pele, Eusebio, and Lev Yashin taking to the hallowed turf on Merseyside.
The most fabulous night at Goodison is widely considered to have taken place deep into the 1984/85 campaign as Everton defeated the might of Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup. Having earned a goalless draw in Germany, the Toffees were backed by fervent support back home and, despite going a goal behind, won through courtesy of goals from Graeme Sharp, Andy Gray, and Trevor Steven.
Of course, Everton has also played memorable games against rivals Liverpool, winning 41 matches each at Goodison and drawing 38. In 1978, having gone seven years without a derby win, Andy King struck a sublime shot into the top corner of the net to give the Blues a famous 1-0 win. In 1991, meanwhile, the two sides played out an enthralling 4-4 draw in the FA Cup before the Toffees won the replay 1-0.
More recently, Everton won 3-0 in 2006 courtesy of an Andrew Johnson brace, and Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta scored in a 2-0 victory four years later in 2024. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jarrad Branthwaite were the heroes with another 2-0 triumph over Liverpool. At the same time, the final-ever clash between the two sides at Goodison saw James Tarkowski hammer in a 98th-minute equaliser to send the Gwladys Street into delirious celebration.
The Blues have also earned famous wins over Manchester United, with a stunning 5-0 win in 1984 being compared to Brazil. Duncan Ferguson scored a header to earn three crucial points as Everton qualified for the Champions League in 2005.
Overall, Everton and Goodison Park are cornerstones of football, boasting a proud history of firsts and famous moments. Supporters were sad to say goodbye to the place the club has called home for over a century. Still, there is genuine hope and optimism that Everton can challenge the top and win silverware again at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.
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