A Heritage Born in St Domingo's Church
In 1878, members of the St Domingo Church Sunday School cricket team in Liverpool established a football side to keep active through the winter months. A year later, the organization adopted the name Everton Football Club to represent a broader local community. When twelve clubs gathered in 1888 to form the Football League—the world's first professional football league—Everton stood proudly as a founding member.
Before settling into their historic home at Goodison Park, Everton played their matches at Anfield. However, a dispute over rent increases with ground owner John Houlding in 1892 led to the club departing Anfield. Left with an empty stadium, Houlding founded Liverpool Football Club, establishing the geographical roots of the Merseyside derby. Upon moving to Goodison Park, Everton oversaw the construction of England's first purpose-built football stadium, cementing their reputation as pioneers in the English game.
Dixie Dean and the Unbroken Record of 60 Goals
No single figure looms larger over Everton's history than center-forward Dixie Dean. Arriving from Tranmere Rovers in 1925, Dean possessed extraordinary heading ability and clinical finishing that terrorized defenses across the country.
The 1927–28 campaign remains the defining masterpiece of Dean's career. Over the course of 39 league appearances, he scored an astounding 60 league goals—a record that stands unchallenged to this day. A dramatic hat-trick on the final day of the season against Arsenal pushed him past George Camsell's previous mark of 59 goals. Dean's remarkable scoring feat propelled Everton to their third First Division title and cemented his reputation as the club's greatest player. His all-time total of 383 goals for Everton remains unmatched.
Domestic and European Triumph Under Howard Kendall
The mid-1980s represent the most successful period in Everton's long history, guided by manager Howard Kendall. A former midfielder for the club during his playing days, Kendall took charge in 1981, initially facing intense pressure during a difficult rebuilding phase.
The momentum shifted decisively in the latter half of the 1983–84 season. A spirited run in the League Cup revived the team's belief, culminating in a 2-0 victory over Watford in the FA Cup final at Wembley. That success acted as a catalyst for an exceptional 1984–85 campaign.
Anchored by captain Kevin Ratcliffe and legendary goalkeeper Neville Southall, Everton's defense provided a resolute foundation, while Peter Reid and Paul Bracewell governed the midfield with authority. Everton stormed to the First Division title and secured their first European trophy by defeating Rapid Vienna 3-1 in the European Cup Winners' Cup final in Rotterdam. Kendall's team captured another league championship in 1986–87, solidifying their place among the elite sides of the decade.
Farewell to Goodison Park and the Move to the Waterfront
Since opening its gates in 1892, Goodison Park has hosted more top-flight matches than any other stadium in England. Its grandstands, rich traditions, and intimate atmosphere have shaped the culture of the club for over a century.
As Everton prepares to move to a new 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock along the River Mersey, the club faces a major structural transition. Modernization and enhanced revenue opportunities are critical factors for long-term competitiveness in the modern Premier League era. While leaving Goodison Park evokes deep nostalgia among supporters, the waterfront venue offers the infrastructure required to build a sustainable future. Having navigated years of financial turbulence and relegation struggles on the pitch, the club, under the leadership of manager David Moyes, is poised to embark on this historic next chapter at their new home.
