Everton History Timeline

Learn the story of the Blues...

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St Domingo's FC Formed

01/01/1878

Everton began their history as St Domingo's FC, playing their first match in the south-east corner of Stanley Park. St Domingo's Church had originally formed a cricket club and added football to their sports-armoury. Click here.
First Game As EFC

20/12/1879
The first game after a name change to Everton Football Club takes place at Stanley Park against St Peter's. Everton win 6-0. Click here for more details.
First League Title

22/03/1891

The Blues win the Football League championship at the third attempt, following an eighth-placed finish in the inaugural season and then edged out by dual-winners Preston North End in the 1889/90 renewal. Click here for more details.
Goodison Opens

24/08/1892

Goodison Park opens as 12,000 spectators watched a short athletics meeting which was followed by music and a fireworks display. The first match at the ground came on 2 September 1892, hosting Bolton Wanderers. Everton wore salmon and dark blue stripes and won 4–2. Click here.
First FA Cup Final

25/03/1893

The Toffees reach their maiden FA Cup final, but lose 1-0 to Wolves at Fallowfield in Manchester.
Wolves captain Harry Allen scored the only goal on the hour mark. Click here for more details.
Second FA Cup Final

04/10/1897

Jack Bell becomes the first Everton player to score in an FA Cup final, but Everton lose 3-2 to Aston Villa in front of 45,067 spectators at Fallowfield in Manchester - with all of the goals coming before half-time. Click here for more details.
First FA Cup Win

21/04/1906

After reaching a third FA Cup final, the trophy finally ended up at Goodison following a 1-0 win over Newcastle. Alex 'Sandy' Young became the third Everton player to score in an FA Cup final for the Club, but the first Toffees man to score a winner. Click here.
Second Championship win

26/04/1915

Everton clinched the title again after a break of 24 years. Rivals Liverpool sealed the title for Everton by beating Oldham Athletic 2-0 at Boundary Park. The outbreak of the World War I meant Everton remained champions for four years. Click here.
First Official Crest

08/01/1920
This Crest became the very first to feature on an Everton kit when it was introduced in 1920. The letters EFC were interwoven and contained within a shield.
Dixie Signs

17/03/1925

Everton paid Tranmere Rovers £3,000 to bring 18-year-old centre-foward William Ralph ‘Dixie’ Dean to Goodison. Dean had scored 27 in 30 fixtures in Division Three (North). Click here for details.
Dean's First Season

05/01/1926

Dixie made his debut for the Club at home to league leaders Tottenham on Saturday September 12. His first goal was in a 4-4 draw against Man City at Maine Road. His final total of 32 league goals from 38 games boasted four hat-tricks. Click here.
The Men Who'd Be Kings

08/01/1927
The Blues squad that would crowned champions of England for the third time in their history finishing three points clear of Huddersfield Town. Click here.
Dixie's 60 Gives Blues League

05/05/1928

Dixie scored a hat-trick against Arsenal on the final day of the season to set the still unbeaten tally of 60 goals in a season and complete Everton's league triumph. It was his 11th Everton hat-trick - his seventh that season. Click here.
Relegation to Division Two

05/03/1930

Just two years after winning the Club's third league title, the Blues found themselves relegated to Division Two after finishing bottom. Despite winning four of the last five fixtures, Thomas McIntosh's side were too far adrift. Click here.
Blues Bounce Back

05/02/1931

Dixie Dean ran riot in Division Two and scored 39 league goals in 37 appearances. The Blues scored five or more goals on no less than eight occasions in the league - 11 in all competitions - on the way to clinching the title and subsequent promotion. Click here.
Everton Regain Title

05/07/1932

Everton regained the First Division title at the first time of asking following their promotion, with Dixie Dean scoring another 45 league goals too, en route to the title. Click here for more details.
FA Cup Win

29/04/1933

Everton won the FA Cup with a 3-0 thumping of Manchester City, courtesy of goals from Dixie Dean, Jimmy Dunn and Jimmy Stein. Fittingly, Stein became the first player to score a goal at Wembley for the Blues. Click here for the match report.
Theo Kelly's Crest

08/01/1938
This Crest was introduced by Club Secretary Theo Kelly in 1938. It was the first to incorporate Prince Rupert's Tower, laurel wreaths and the Latin motto 'Nil Satis Nisi Optimum'. The Crest featured on a Club neck tie but was never present on a kit.
Blues Win Last Pre WWII Title

05/06/1939

Everton finished four points clear of Wolves.Tommy Lawton scored 34 goals from 38 league games. And for the second time in the history of the game, Everton kept hold of the trophy due to the outbreak of war. Click here.
First Post-War Season

14/06/1947
Everton resumed competitive football after the Second World War as champions, but after Tommy Lawton departed a period of under-achievement followed - beginning with the 10th-placed finish in 1946-47. Click here.
Record Attendance Set

18/09/1948

78,229 fans were at Goodison for the Club's highest-ever league attendance. Unsurprisingly, it was for a derby match against Liverpool. The figure is the fourth-highest for a domestic game outside of Wembley Stadium. Click here.
Record For Potts

10/10/1950
Harry Potts was signed for a then Club record of £20,000 from Burnley - where he was revered as a hero. An inside-forward, he was less influential for the Toffees during a difficult period for the Club. Click here.
Blues Drop Down A Division

05/05/1951

Everton were relegated for the second - and last time - with a sorry 6-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. The bottom three sides finished on level points, but the Blues ended bottom on goal difference and goals scored. Click here.
Semi-final In Second Tier

21/03/1953
Although Everton were in the middle of a three-year spell out of the top-flight, Cliff Britton's side managed to reach the last four of the FA Cup - losing only by the odd-goal in seven to Bolton Wanderers. Click here for details.
Blues Back In Top Flight

29/04/1954

Everton finished second in Division Two and achieved promotion, with Dave Hickson scoring 28 goals in the league and cup. But John Willie Parker was top scorer with 31. This would be the Club's last season outside of the top flight. Click here.
Undersoil Heating

05/01/1958
Goodison Park became the first stadium in the world to install undersoil heating.
Collins Class

09/01/1958
Bobby Collins may have been only 5ft 3ins - but he was a powerhouse midfielder who won the hearts of Evertonians following his Club record transfer from Celtic for £23,500. A tough Scot - he also went on to excel at Leeds.
Double Swoop

20/02/1960

Now the Football Millionaires courtesy of John Moores' funding - Roy Vernon and Jimmy Gabriel were signed within a month of each other, each breaking the Club transfer record with fees of £27,000 and £30,000 respectively.
The Golden Vision

11/10/1960
He became the Everton Giant for the 1960s. He was a midfielder with an outstanding range of passing and who oozed class. He was signed from Hearts for a Club record of £40,000.
Catterick Takes Top Job

17/04/1961

Harry Catterick was appointed Everton manager, succeeding Johnny Carey.Catterick was a former centre-forward for the Blues. Click here for more on Catterick. Additions of silverware to the trophy cabinet were to follow...
Controversial Kay

12/10/1962
Tony Kay is best known not for being a then Club record signing for £55,000 from Sheffield Wednesday but for eventually being banned from football for a match-fixing scandal during his time at Hillsborough.
Pickering Picked

03/12/1963
When Harry Catterick required a new goalscorer, Fred Pickering was the man he selected. Prolific for Blackburn, he was secured for a Club record fee of £85,000. He went on to net 70 goals from 115 appearances. Click here for more details.
6th League Title

05/11/1963

Everton won the league title by six points from Bill Nicholson's Tottenham, losing just six of their 42 matches. The forward partnership of Alex Young and Roy Vernon scored 46 of the Club's 84 goals in the season. More details, click here.
First Youth Cup

05/01/1965
Everton won the FA Youth Cup for the first time, defeating Arsenal 3-2 on aggregate.
Blues Battle Back To Win Cup

14/05/1966

Everton rallied from 2-0 down in the FA Cup final to win 3-2 – thanks to two goals from the improbable hero Mike Trebilcock. Derek Temple had the last word though, netting the winner. Match report.
World Cup At Goodison

25/07/1966

A World Cup semi-final between West Germany and Soviet Union took place at Goodison. Everton's home was the only English ground outside Wembley to host a World Cup semi-final. Click here.
Ball Signs In

08/01/1966

Less than a month after winning the World Cup, flame-haired midfielder Alan Ball was signed by Harry Catterick from Blackpool for a British record fee of £110,000. More details.
Astle Ends Hopes

18/05/1968
Two years after a famous comeback against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup final, Harry Catterick's side couldn't repeat the feat - losing 1-0 after extra-time to Jeff Astle's strike for West Brom at Wembley. More details.
Champions Again

05/08/1970

Catterick's men sealed the seventh title with one of Everton's finest sides. The 'holy trinity' of Kendall, Harvey and Ball were crucial. They finished nine points clear of Leeds United and won 29 of the 42 league games. Click here.
Newton Breaks Record

10/10/1970
Henry Newton was the player Harry Catterick chose when breaking the Club transfer record for the fourth time in his reign. He paid Nottingham Forest £150,000 for a midfielder who would play 85 senior games.
'EFC' Introduced To Kit

08/01/1972
For the 1972/73 season, Everton opted to incorporate the letters EFC on their shirts. The letters were not contained within a shield as they had been previously but the calligraphic style of font was retained. This 'Crest' stayed a feature of the kit for the next four years.
Harper's Move

12/01/1972

Everton secured the services of prolific Aberdeen goalscorer Joe Harper. A fee of £180,000 was agreed for the forward. He failed to replicate his form though, only netting 14 goals in 48 appearances.
The Latch Lands

02/10/1974
Bob Latchford justified every penny of his Club record £350,000 transfer fee from Birmingham City during his time at Goodison Park. A prolific hitman, he became the first player in six years to score 30 league goals during the 1977/78 season.
Crest Gets New Look

08/01/1976
After four seasons of consistency, the Club made a slight alteration to its Crest, dropping the calligraphic font and instead opting for this simple representation of the EFC lettering.
League Cup Runners-up

13/04/1977
The Blues reached their first League Cup final. It took 330 minutes of football to separate Everton and Aston Villa, with Ron Saunders' men winning 3-2 in the last minute of extra-time through Brian Little in the 2nd replay. Click here.
Denied By Decision

23/04/1977

The Blues were harshly denied another trip to Wembley - this time in the FA Cup. A decision by referee Clive Thomas to deny Brian Hamilton a good goal in the final minute of the semi-final against Liverpool ended Everton's Cup ambitions. Click here for details.
Latchford's 30th Goal

29/04/1978

Bob Latchford scored twice in a 6-0 win on the final day of the season against Chelsea as he plundered 30 league goals. A national paper had offered £10,000 to any player who could hit the magic target. More details.
Tower Takes To The Shirt

08/01/1978
This Crest was introduced for the 1978/79 campaign. It was the first time a shield incorporating the elements chosen by Theo Kelly in 1938 had appeared on a kit.
Hartford's Record Arrival

08/12/1979
Gordon Lee broke the Club transfer record for the first time in his reign by signing forward Asa Hartford for £500,000 from Nottingham Forest.
Gidman Lands

10/04/1979
Gordon Lee set about bolstering the defence by securing promising young defender John Gidman from Aston Villa. And he set a Club record in doing so - paying £650,000 for the right-back.
Kendall Back As Boss

05/08/1981

Howard Kendall returned to Goodison - this time as boss. After 274 games and 30 goals as a player for Everton, the man from County Durham decided to take on the reins - joining from Blackburn, where he was player/manager. Click here.
Inchy Arrives

01/07/1982
In his search for a new attacking outlet, Howard Kendall opted for the diminutive but resourceful Adrian Heath. Signed from Stoke just days before his 21st birthday - Heath became the Club record signing at £700,000.
Another Change For The Crest

08/01/1982
Everton changed its Crest for the first time in six years in 1982, introducing this modernised version of its predecessor. The crest remained within a circle but the shield was withdrawn, as was the Latin motto 'Nil Satis Nisi Optimum'. 'Everton FC' became just 'Everton' but Prince Rupert's Tower was once again the centre piece of the design.
New Season, New Crest

08/01/1983
After just one season, Everton's Crest changed again. Similarly to the EFC lettering used between 1972 and 1978, the elements of the Crest were not contained within a shield or shape. For this iteration, the design of the laurel wreaths and tower changed considerably, while 'Everton' became 'EFC'. This Crest would remain until 1991.
Youth Cup Win

05/01/1984
Everton won the FA Youth Cup for the second time courtesy of a 4-2 aggregate victory over Stoke City. It came a year after they had lost in the final in extra-time to Norwich City. The side included Rob Wakenshaw (above), Ian Marshall and Stuart Rimmer.
FA Cup Win

19/05/1984

Having lost the League Cup final replay to Liverpool earlier in the season, Everton made amends by winning the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Watford. In front of 100,000 fans at Wembley, Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray scored. Click here.
Greatest European Night

24/04/1985

The semi-final, second leg of the Cup Winners Cup – a 3-1 win over Bayern Munich – is one of Goodison’s finest ever nights. After a 0-0 draw in the Olympic Stadium, the Blues made sure the three-times European Cup winners left with their tails between their legs. Click here.
Cup Winners Cup Triumph

15/05/1985

Everton won the Cup Winners Cup with a 3-1 victory over Rapid Vienna. The Blues' first European trophy was clinched by goals from Andy Gray, Trevor Steven and Kevin Sheedy. Match report.
Big Nev - Footballer of the Year

16/05/1985
Blues goalkeeper Neville Southall shows off the Footballer of the Year award at the Savoy Hotel in London. Another trophy to add to the collection that season!
No Triple Joy

18/05/1985
Days after adding the European Cup Winners Cup to their league crown, Howard Kendall's heroes fell one short of a unique hat-trick of trophies, beaten by an extra-time Norman Whiteside goal for Man Utd in the FA Cup Final. More details.
8th League Championship

28/05/1985

Everton were presented with the league trophy after storming to the title with a record 90 points. They finished 13 clear of Liverpool. Five players finished in double-figures in the league - including central defender, Derek Mountfield. More details.
Links Replaces Gray

08/01/1985

Howard Kendall's response to the departure of Andy Gray was to break the Club transfer record to secure the services of rising star Gary Lineker from Leicester City for £800,000.
Double Woe

05/10/1986
A year after conquering Europe and the league, the Blues had to settle for the runners' up spot in Division One and the FA Cup Final. Liverpool won both - coming back from a goal down to win the Cup Final 3-1.
Lineker's Departure

08/01/1986
Gary Lineker scored 40 goals in all competitions during one season at Goodison - but after winning the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, the England striker was transferred to Barcelona for £2.2m. More details.
9th League Title

05/04/1987

The championship was secured on the first May bank holiday, when Pat van den Hauwe's close-range finish against Norwich at Carrow Road meant Kendall's side could not be overtaken at the top. More details.
Harvey Takes Over

19/06/1987
Howard Kendall left Everton to take over at Athletic Bilbao. Colin Harvey, who had been his assistant, was immediately appointed as Kendall's successor. More details
Clarke's Charity Joy

08/01/1987
Wayne Clarke's winning goal in the 1987 Charity Shield against Coventry City was notable as it meant Everton became the first club in the history of the showpiece fixture to hold the trophy in four consecutive seasons. More details.
Harvey Bags Cottee

08/02/1988
Colin Harvey sent out a signal of intent in the summer of 1988 - smashing the Club's transfer record to secure prolific striker Tony Cottee from West Ham for £2.3m.
McCall's Nearly Men

20/05/1989
The highlight of Colin Harvey's tenure was the 1989 FA Cup Final. Everton eventually lost 3-2 after extra-time. But sub Stuart McCall twice equalised for the Toffees in a thrilling derby clash at Wembley. More details.
Kendall Back As Boss

11/06/1990
Kendall quit Manchester City in order to become Everton manager for a second time. He immediately installed Harvey as his assistant - reuniting the managerial pairing that had secured two league titles for the Club. More details.
Nil Satis Returns

08/01/1991
After eight years with the same Crest, the Club opted for a major change in 1991, restoring a look that was more akin to Theo Kelly's classic 1938 design. Out went any mention of 'Everton' or 'EFC' but, along with the shield, Nil Satis Nisi Optimum returned. Modified versions of the tower and laurel wreaths also appeared.
Mike Walker takes over

01/07/1994
Mike Walker was unveiled as Everton’s new manager with the Blues in 16th place in the league table. He arrived having impressed at the helm with Norwich City. More details.
The Great Escape

05/07/1994
The Great Escape – Everton beat Wimbledon 3-2 on the final day of the season and saved themselves from relegation - with other results also working in Everton's favour. Match report.
Amo Signs In

27/08/1994
Daniel Amokachi became the Club's record transfer, surpassing Tony Cottee's record which had stood for six years when Mike Walker invested £3m for the Nigerian international's services from Club Brugge.
Royle Arrival

11/10/1994
Joe Royle was confirmed as Everton's new manager after the Club axed Mike Walker. Royle arrived after impressing as a manager at Oldham Athletic. More details.
Dunc Breaks Record

12/11/1994
After an eye-catching two month loan from Rangers, Everton invested a Club record £4million for the services of a striker who would become a talisman and hero for a generation of Evertonians.
5th FA Cup Triumph

20/05/1995
Everton win the FA Cup for the fifth time with 1-0 win over Manchester United at Wembley. Paul Rideout nets the only goal with a header. Match report.
Samways Shines

13/08/1995
Vinny Samways scored the winning goal in the Charity Shield as Everton defeated league champions Blackburn at Wembley. Samways had not figured in the FA Cup final a few months earlier. More details.
Andrei Arrives

25/08/1995

Joe Royle made Russian winger Andrei Kanchelskis Everton's first £5m player when he swooped to sign him from Manchester United. A wide-player of electrifying pace and with an eye for goal, he proved an instant hit. More details.
Barmby Breaks Record

30/10/1996
Joe Royle invested a club record £5.75m to secure England international Nick Barmby from Middlesbrough. Barmby made 116 appearances in four years with the Blues before a controversial switch to Liverpool.
Royle Resigns

27/03/1997

Joe Royle resigned as manager after a turbulent run of form and results.
He quit with six games of the season to go and the Blues just four points above the drop zone. More details.
Kendall's Third Stint

27/06/1997

After an extended search for a replacement for Joe Royle, the Blues turned to the most successful manager in the Club's history. Kendall returned in time for pre-season ahead of the 1997/98 campaign. More details.
Youth Cup Glory

05/07/1998
A team that included Leon Osman, Richard Dunne, Francis Jeffers, Danny Cadamarteri and Tony Hibbert defeated Blackburn 5-3 on aggregate to win the biggest trophy in youth football. More details.
The Great Escape Part II

05/10/1998
A 1-1 draw with Coventry - courtesy of a Gareth Farrelly goal - on the final day of the season saw Everton survive relegation on goal difference. Match report.
Walter Smith Installed

07/01/1998

Following Kendall’s departure, Walter Smith was appointed as Everton's new manager. He arrived from Scotland, where he had excelled at the helm of Glasgow Rangers.
More details.
New Millennium Brings New Crest

08/01/2000
Everton's Crest underwent a makeover at the turn of the new Millennium as the year of the Club's formation was introduced for the first time. '1878' was added either side of the shield, while a solid blue background returned. Yellow was also reintroduced, while the tower, laurel wreaths and Nil Satis motto were again key features.
Smith Sacked

13/03/2002
The Everton board removed Smith as manager with the club languishing near the relegation zone as the campaign entered the final stages. More.
Moyes Begins Reign

14/03/2002
David Moyes is appointed as the new manager of the Club. He was an unexpected appointment but arrived with impressive credentials after a bright start in management at Preston North End. More details.
Beattie Breaks Record

01/04/2005

As Everton battled for a top four finish, David Moyes sealed the biggest transfer of his tenure - and the biggest in the Club's history at that time - signing England international striker James Beattie from Southampton for £6m. More details.
Champions League Qualification

05/08/2005
Everton secured fourth place Premier League ahead of local neighbours Liverpool after a remarkable campaign. More details.
Brian Labone Passes Away

24/04/2006
Legendary former Everton captain Brian Labone passes away after attending a fans evening. More details.
AJ Signs In

30/05/2006
Everton broke their transfer record with the £8.6m purchase of Andrew Johnson from Crystal Palace. More details.
Alan Ball Passes Away

24/04/2007
Almost exactly a year after Everton lost Brian Labone, the footballing world said farewell to a true giant of the game - Alan Ball. More details.
Yak Joins Everton

29/08/2007
David Moyes broke the Everton transfer record for the third time in his tenure, completing the signing of Yakubu for £11.25m, eclipsing the previous record paid for Andrew Johnson. More details.
European Progess

03/12/2008
The 2007/08 campaign marked Everton’s most successful European excursion for 23 years, reaching the last 16 of the Uefa Cup and winning eight of their 10 fixtures in the process. More details.
Transfer Record Broken

09/01/2008
Belgian international Marouane Fellaini is signed for a Club transfer record of £15m. More details. More details.
Wembley Joy!

19/04/2009

Everton became the first Merseyside club to play at the new Wembley - facing Man Utd in the FA Cup semi-final. Everton won a dramatic penalty shoot-out after a goalless 120 minutes of action. Phil Jagielka converted the decisive spot-kick. Match report.
Cup Final Drama

30/05/2009
Everton defeated Man Utd, Liverpool and Aston Villa en route to the final, only to lose to Chelsea. Louis Saha scored the quickest goal in Cup Final history but Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard consigned the Blues to a 2-1 defeat. Match Report.
Record Chang Deal

25/11/2010
Everton concluded a Club-record shirt sponsorship deal with main partners Chang. The deal was a three-year extension to the existing contract and was potentially worth in excess of £12m over that period. The deal took Everton's partnership with Chang to 10 years and made it the longest-running shirt sponsorship deal in the Premier League.
Bellefield Bulldozed

31/03/2011
Everton's training ground for over xx years, Bellefield was razed to the ground to make way for housing after the Club moved to Finch Farm and sold the site. See photos here and read Bellefield memories here .
Baines Cleans Up

19/05/2011
Leighton Baines wins three awards at the 2010/11 End of Season Awards, claiming player, players' player and goal of the season.
Moyes' Departure Announced

05/09/2013
Everton confirm David Moyes would leave the Club at the end of the 2012/13 season. The manager had met Chairman Bill Kenwright and confirmed his desire to join Manchester United. Since his arrival in March 2002., David had taken charge of the team on over 500 occasions including four European campaigns. His final two games as Everton manager would be the remaining Premier League matches against West Ham United and Chelsea.
New Crest Launched

25/05/2013
Everton unveiled a new Crest for the first time in 13 years following the 2012/13 campaign. To find out more about the Crest, click here.
Martinez Arrives

06/05/2013
Following David Moyes' departure to Manchester United, Roberto Martinez was appointed the Blues' first new boss in 11 years. Arriving from Wigan Athletic, the Spaniard had guided his former club to FA Cup glory just weeks earlier.