Football-timelines.com - A brief history of Everton FC
A brief history of Everton FC
Everton Football Club, one of English football's most historic clubs, has its origins dating back to 1878 when it was founded by a Methodist congregation in Liverpool. Initially called St. Domingo’s, the club began as a cricket team, which soon transitioned to football to stay active in winter. Due to growing interest from outside the parish, the team was renamed Everton in 1879, after the Liverpool district it was based in.
The Early Days and Move to Goodison Park
Everton's first matches were held in Stanley Park, but rising fan attendance quickly necessitated a larger venue. In 1884, the club moved to Anfield, which would later become Liverpool FC's home. However, a dispute over rent with Anfield owner John Houlding forced Everton to move again in 1892 to Goodison Park, where they have played ever since. Goodison became the first major purpose-built football ground in England, hosting high-profile games, including the 1894 FA Cup final.
Everton became one of the twelve founding members of the Football League in 1888, and their first taste of major success came with the 1890-91 league title. The club's influence grew in the early 20th century, winning the FA Cup for the first time in 1906 and securing league titles in 1915 and 1928, led by the legendary Dixie Dean, who scored a record 60 goals in the 1927-28 season.
The Post-War Period and the Golden 1960s
Following the disruptions of World War II, Everton experienced mixed success. Relegated in 1951, the club rebounded in 1954 and slowly built a team ready for another golden era. Under chairman John Moores’ financial support and manager Harry Catterick’s leadership, Everton won league titles in 1963 and 1970 and the FA Cup in 1966, with stars like Alan Ball, Colin Harvey, and Howard Kendall. Known for their attacking style, this team reinforced Everton's reputation as the "School of Science."
The Glory of the 1980s
The 1980s brought Everton’s most successful period under manager Howard Kendall. In 1984, the club won the FA Cup, marking the beginning of an era. Everton captured the league title in 1985 and 1987 and won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1985. The 1984-85 season, where Everton lost only one league game from January onwards, is remembered as one of the best in English football history. With players like Neville Southall, Graeme Sharp, Peter Reid, and Kevin Sheedy, the team was formidable. However, the 1985 Heysel disaster, which led to a European ban for English clubs, prevented Everton from competing in the European Cup, hindering the team’s ability to build on its success.
The Transitional 1990s
The 1990s were challenging for Everton. Howard Kendall returned for a second spell as manager, but success proved elusive. The club narrowly avoided relegation in 1994, and though Joe Royle’s “Dogs of War” squad won the FA Cup in 1995 by defeating Manchester United, league struggles continued. Royle’s departure in 1997, combined with financial difficulties, left the club facing uncertain times. Relegation was again narrowly avoided in 1998 and 1999, marking a turbulent end to the millennium.
Revival and Stabilization Under David Moyes (2002-2013)
The arrival of manager David Moyes in 2002 signaled a period of relative stability and gradual growth. Known for his work ethic and eye for talent, Moyes transformed Everton into a competitive Premier League side despite limited financial resources. He focused on developing young players like Wayne Rooney, who debuted at just 16 and quickly became a sensation. Although Rooney’s transfer to Manchester United in 2004 was a blow, the club reinvested the funds to strengthen the squad.
In 2004-05, Everton finished fourth, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League for the first time. While they were eliminated in the qualifying rounds by Villarreal, this achievement highlighted the progress under Moyes. Everton consistently finished in the top half of the Premier League during Moyes’ tenure, reaching the FA Cup final in 2009, although they lost to Chelsea. Known for his disciplined, hardworking teams, Moyes left Everton in 2013 to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, ending an 11-year spell with the club.
The Roberto Martinez Era and Change of Ownership (2013-2016)
Following Moyes' departure, Roberto Martinez was appointed in 2013. Known for his attacking philosophy, Martinez initially brought a fresh approach to Goodison Park. In his first season, Everton finished fifth, playing an exciting brand of football that thrilled fans. However, defensive frailties and inconsistency plagued the next two seasons, and Martinez was dismissed in 2016 as the club slipped down the table.
Around this time, Everton entered a new era of ownership. In 2016, Iranian businessman Farhad Moshiri acquired a 49.9% stake in the club, providing a significant financial boost. Moshiri’s investment allowed Everton to pursue ambitious signings, though this newfound spending power brought mixed results.
Recent Managerial Changes and Mixed Success (2016-Present)
After Martinez’s exit, Everton saw a series of managerial changes in an attempt to achieve sustained success. Ronald Koeman was appointed in 2016 and, with Moshiri’s financial support, signed players like Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jordan Pickford. Everton finished seventh in Koeman’s first season, but a poor start to the 2017-18 campaign saw him replaced by Sam Allardyce, whose conservative style failed to impress fans despite stabilizing the club’s league position.
In 2018, former Watford manager Marco Silva took charge, with high expectations for an exciting style of play. Silva, however, struggled with consistency, and Everton’s performances led to another disappointing season. His tenure ended in 2019 after a string of poor results.
A high-profile appointment followed with Carlo Ancelotti, a multi-time Champions League winner, who joined in late 2019. Ancelotti’s arrival brought optimism, and Everton made headlines by signing Colombian star James Rodriguez in 2020. Despite a promising start to the 2020-21 season, Everton finished in 10th place, and Ancelotti unexpectedly left in 2021 to rejoin Real Madrid.
The Rafael Benitez Experiment and Frank Lampard’s Survival Battle (2021-2023)
In a controversial move, former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was appointed in 2021, dividing fans due to his past association with their local rivals. Benitez’s tenure was short-lived, as a run of poor results led to his sacking in early 2022.
Frank Lampard took over, tasked with keeping Everton in the Premier League amid a challenging season. Under Lampard, Everton narrowly avoided relegation in 2022, securing their top-flight status with a dramatic win against Crystal Palace in the penultimate game of the season.
Current Challenges and Future Aspirations
Despite the struggles on the pitch, Everton's future holds some promise with the ongoing construction of a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, set to replace Goodison Park. This move, expected to be completed in the coming years, signifies Everton’s ambitions to modernize and compete with the league’s elite. However, financial constraints and the need for more strategic investments have remained a concern.
In the 2023-24 season, Sean Dyche took over as manager, known for his pragmatic approach and experience in managing limited resources. Dyche’s task has been to stabilise the club, focusing on building a resilient, hard-working squad to avoid the relegation battles of recent seasons.
Everton’s Legacy
Throughout its history, Everton has maintained a reputation as a club with a passionate fanbase, a commitment to attractive football, and a deep sense of tradition. Known affectionately as "The Toffees" and celebrated for their community involvement, Everton remains one of England's most historic clubs. The club's nickname, “The School of Science,” reflects its emphasis on skilled, intelligent play. With a new stadium on the horizon and ambitions to rebuild, Evertonians are hopeful for a brighter future that honours the club’s legacy and spirit.
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