Everton FC History: Origins to Today

Everton FC History: Origins to Today

The Complete History of Everton F.C.: From St. Domingo to the Premier League

It was 1878 when St. Domingo F.C. was formed, and nobody could predict that this club would go on to become one of the oldest football clubs in England, laying the foundation for Everton FC history as we know it today.

Humble Beginnings: The Birth of Everton F.C.

From St. Domingo to Everton

The following year, in 1879, the club changed its name after the surrounding area, and Everton F.C. was founded. Their first official match was held against St. Peter’s, and they gave an impressive performance, netting five goals and conceding none, leading the club to a 5-0 victory. Everton F.C. got their first ground when J. Cruit donated his land in 1882. However, this didn’t last very long, because in 1884, Everton moved to Anfield.

Anfield and the First Football League

Over the next seven years, they managed to make Anfield one of the biggest stadiums in the country. Everton went on to become founding members of the first Football League in 1888.

First Championship and the Split That Formed Liverpool F.C.

They had to wait a couple of years, but the title eventually came. In the 1890/91 season, Everton F.C. won their first league championship, and Fred Geary was the hero of the campaign, becoming the club’s top goalscorer by finding the net 21 times. However, after this success, conflicts arose between Everton’s committee and John Houlding, the club’s president. The club’s stadium was brought into question, and the dispute ultimately led to Houlding departing the club to form Liverpool F.C. in 1892. Everton, meanwhile, moved to Goodison Park, which would serve as their home for well over a century to come.

Early Silverware Before the First World War

Everton F.C. won their first FA Cup title in 1906, beating Newcastle United 1-0, with Alex Young scoring the only goal for Everton. Their next league championship came in the 1914/15 season, the last season before the First World War. During the years that followed, the whole world was in chaos, but as soon as the situation stabilized, Everton F.C. continued where they had left off.

The Dixie Dean Era

A Record-Breaking Season

Dixie Dean was introduced to the club, and he went on to become one of the best English strikers of all time. During the 1927/28 season, Dean managed to score 60 goals in 39 games, and it should go without saying that Everton F.C. cruised to their third league championship on the back of Dean’s goals.

Relegation, Promotion, and a Fourth Title

The year 1930 was a strange one for Everton F.C.: they finished last and were relegated to the Second Division. However, they bounced back that same season, winning the Second Division title for the one and only time in the club’s history. The following season, they went on to win their fourth league championship, in 1931/32.

The End of an Era

Dixie Dean’s era unfortunately came to an end when he died at Goodison Park in 1980. His last match was in December 1937, leaving behind an incredible record of 383 goals in 433 matches. Everton won their next league championship in the 1938/39 season, and shortly afterward the Second World War began.

Post-War Decline and Rebuilding

The war didn’t do much good for anyone, and Everton’s team was completely broken up: in 1946, all of their best players left for other, bigger clubs, and only Ted Sagar remained. This led to relegation once again, in the 1950/51 season. After spending three full years in the Second Division, they returned to English football’s top tier. The only bright spot during the 1950s was a 2-5 victory over Manchester United in 1956. However, things were soon to change.

The Golden Decade: 1960s Success

The 1960s are considered the best decade in Everton FC history. During this period, they won two First Division titles (1963 and 1970), two Charity Shields (1963 and 1970), and one FA Cup (1966).

More Silverware in the 1980s

Between 1981 and 1987, the club won the league championship twice, one FA Cup, one European Cup Winners’ Cup, two Charity Shields, and one shared Charity Shield. In 1981, Neville Southall joined the club and went on to become one of its most notable players ever.

The Premier League Era

In the 1990s, Everton was one of the clubs that founded the Premier League, and they have never been relegated since. Although they avoided relegation, they didn’t accomplish much either. Since the Premier League’s formation, Everton hasn’t won a major trophy — aside from the FA Cup in 1995, that remains their only significant title. They have established themselves as a Premier League mainstay, but there is no sign of that golden chapter of Everton FC history returning anytime soon.