Image Credit: Peter Byrne/PA via AP
Even though Everton is located in the birthplace of football, their history is impressive and in their 138-year history, they have only spent four years outside of the top division of English football. They have won nine League titles, five FA Cups, and the 1985 Cup Winners’ Cup. Since 1892, Everton has been playing their home games at Goodison Park, which was the first major football stadium in England.
History
St. Domingo Church Sunday School established the Everton Football Club, originally known as St. Domingo’s FC, and later renamed it after a district in Liverpool.
Everton FC rose to prominence as a top football club during their era and was one of the twelve founding members of the Football League, the world’s first professional football competition. The club achieved their first League title in 1891, marking their first major success in the competition.
In 1893, Everton reached their first FA Cup final in their history but unfortunately lost to Wolverhampton. The club faced setbacks, finishing as runners-up five times before winning their second League title in 1915, with only one FA Cup victory in between.
Everton’s fortunes changed when they signed Dixie Dean from Tranmere Rovers in 1925. Dean’s remarkable 60 league goals, a record that still stands in English top-flight football, helped Everton secure their third League title in 1928.
Dean continued to be a prolific striker, leading Everton to another League title in 1932 and an FA Cup victory in 1933. He left Everton as the club’s all-time top goalscorer, with 349 goals in 399 appearances.
The Post-War Period
After securing their fifth League title in 1939, Everton’s era of dominance was halted by the outbreak of the Second World War. The club faced challenges in the post-war period as they struggled to regain their earlier success.
However, the appointment of Harry Catterick as manager in 1961 turned their fortunes around, leading to another League title in 1963. A memorable FA Cup final victory in 1966 against Sheffield Wednesday showed their determination.
Despite winning their seventh League title in 1970, the following decade was disappointing as Liverpool overshadowed them in domestic competitions. Everton experienced success in the mid-80s under Howard Kendall’s management, winning the 1984 FA Cup and achieving their first Double the next year.
Kendall guided the club to victory in the Cup Winners’ Cup by defeating Rapid Wien 3-1 in the final. In 1987, Everton secured their ninth League title under Kendall’s leadership, with the Heysel tragedy preventing them from further European success.
The Premier League Era
During the Premier League era, the club had limited success, winning only the 1995 FA Cup in the following two decades. However, under David Moyes, they experienced a brief improvement, finishing fourth in the league in 2005 and reaching the FA Cup final in 2009. From 2007-2014, Everton consistently placed in the top half of the league table.
Logo
In their history, Everton has used various logos, featuring either the prominent “EFC” letters or the depiction of Prince Rupert’s Tower located in Everton Brow. Since 1938, a Latin motto, “Nil satis nise optimum,” translating to “Nothing but the best is good enough,” has been consistently included in most versions of the logo.
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