1878 - 1930
Football was still technically an amateur sport in the late 1880s. But more and more clubs were recruiting professional players, with Everton's first being full-back George Dobson from Bolton Wanderers and forward George Farmer from Oswestry.
Everton's first entry into the FA Cup was to prove a dramatic one.
In October 1887, the side lost 0-1 at Bolton in the 1st Round. Everton lodged an appeal to the FA that Bolton had fielded an ineligible player, which was upheld and a replay was arranged. The replay was drawn, the second replay was also drawn, and on November 19th (over a month after the original tie) Everton finally beat Bolton 2-1 at Anfield.
The drama was far from over though!
Bolton lodged an appeal of their own, claiming that Everton had paid seven of their registered 'amateur' players. This appeal was also upheld and Everton were suspended from playing for a month and had their Liverpool Cup trophy (won the previous season) confiscated!
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