The League Cup was introduced to the top four divisions in the 1960/61 season. For the first seven years the final was played over two legs (home and away), before being moved to Wembley in 1967. The competition has had many sponsors starting in the 1981/82 season when it was known as the Milk Cup until 1985/86. It then had a change of sponsorship as Littlewoods took over, then Rumbelows and many more.
Everton’s first involvement saw them play their first and only game in the first round, drawn at home to Accrington Stanley.
Evertonians didn’t appear to take the competition seriously as only 18,246 attended the game played on Wednesday 12th October 1960. A brace from Frank Wignall, and one from Jimmy Harris gave the home side a comfortable passage into the next round. Everton were fortunately drawn at home for the next two rounds defeating Walsall and Bury. A victory at Tranmere was followed by defeat at Shrewsbury Town in the fifth round.
Many of the top teams decided not to enter the competition, but in 1969/70 all 92 clubs entered and entry was made compulsory from the 1971/72 season.
MOST MEMORABLE GAMES AT GOODISON
Two of the most memorable games in the competition were the first semi-final, which took place in January 1977. Bolton Wanderers were a 2nddivision outfit intending to cause an upset. They almost did, with a creditable 1-1 draw but Everton were victorious in the 2nd leg four weeks later winning 1-0 on the night, 2-1 on aggregate.
Everton were in the semi-final for the first time in seven years. Aston Villa stood in the way of the twin towers of Wembley.
Everton won the first leg 2-0, losing the 2nd leg 1-0, but a 2-1 aggregate score saw them face neighbours Liverpool in the Final at Wembley, where the first all Merseyside final finished 0-0, before we were defeated in the replay at Maine Road.
BIGGEST WIN AT GOODISON
On 29 August 1978, fourth division Wimbledon arrived at Goodison for their first ever visit. The home side thrashed The Wombles 8-0 on the night, with Bob Latchford netting five, and Martin Dobson claiming a hat trick. Who took the match ball home is anyone’s guess? 23,137 witnessed this game.
HIGHEST ATENDANCE AT GOODISON
The highest attendance in the competition was the semi-final in January 1977 against Bolton Wanderers in front of 54,032 spectators. As mentioned above, the first leg ended even with a goal apiece. The Toffees won through the 2nd leg at Burnden Park. Following a disappointing 0-0 draw at Wembley and a further draw at Hillsborough, a thrilling 2nd replay at Old Trafford was won 3-2 by Aston Villa.
LOWEST ATTENDANCE AT GOODISON
7,415 fans turned out at Goodison as Wrexham arrived at for a 2nd leg tie. Everton had won emphatically at the Racecourse 5-0 two weeks earlier.
Everton were dumped out of the competition by Sheffield United in the next round which saw Colin Harvey removed as manager. On a brighter note, Colin returned as Howard Kendall’s right-hand man as the club’s most successful manager took over the reins for the League game at Bramall Lane 11 days later.
THE FIRST DRAW AT GOODISON IN THE LEAGUE CUP
Everton had to travel to the Baseball Ground after a goal-less encounter at Goodison on Wednesday October 16th 1968. The Rams knocked Everton out by a single goal scored by Kevin Hector.
FIRST HOME DEFEAT AT GOODISON IN THE LEAGUE CUP
Sunderland inflicted the first home defeat of the competition in round 3 of the 1967/8 season. That isn’t quite as impressive a record as it sounds, because it was the first time Everton entered the competition since the inaugural season. A double from Alex Young couldn’t prevent the Rokerites from stealing the win in front of 39,914.
FIRST HOME DEFEAT IN EXTRA TIME
4th October 1995 saw Millwall commit a giant killing when they dumped Everton out in extra time. The 1st leg at the Den ended goalless, with the 2nd leg also tied at 2-2. The extra time proved costly as the visitors added 2 more goals to go through 4-2 on aggregate.
EVERTON’S FIRST SUBSTITUTE AT GOODSION
Roger Kenyon became Everton’s first substitute in the competition. He replaced Howard Kendall as Everton thumped Luton Town 5-1 in the 3rd round in September 1968.
FIRST EUROPEAN PLAYER TO SCORE FOR EVERTON AT GOODISON
Raymond Atteveld became the first European player to score for the blues in a 4-1 home defeat by Leeds United in 4th round tie on 4 December 1991, in front of a crowd of 25,467.
TEAMS WHO HAVE VISITED GOOSIDON THE MOST IN THE LEAGUE CUP
Arsenal have been to Goodison on 5 occasions. The 2nd most popular team is Chelsea on 4, with Norwich City, Aston Villa, Coventry City, Luton Town and Oxford United visiting 3 times.
11 teams have returned twice and they are: Bury, Middlesboro, Wimbledon, West Brom, Newport County, Rotherham United, Oldham, Manchester City, Leyton Orient, Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town.
EVERTON FIRST DEFEAT IN A PENALTY SHOOT OUT AT GOODISON
November 11th 1998, saw Everton play a 4th round home tie against Sunderland as a reward for knocking out another North-east team, Middlesbrough in round three.
The tie with the Rokerites ended all square at 1-1, neither side could take advantage of extra time, so penalties at the Park End went in the favour of the visitors 5-4 and saw Walter Smith’s team eliminated.
MOST GOALS FOR EVERTON IN THE LEAGUE CUP AT GOODISON IN THEIR CAREER
Bob Latchford 10
Graeme Sharp 8
Adrian Heath 7
Andy King, Tony Cottee and Martin Dobson 5
Frank Wignall, Kevin Sheedy and Paul Wilkinson 4
Joe Royle, Brian Kidd, Peter Beardsley, Peter Beagrie, Paul Rideout, Graham Stuart, Duncan Ferguson, Marouanne Fellaini and Leon Osman 3
Since the competition started back in 1960/61 and up to the start of the 2018/19 season, Everton have played 85 games at Goodison Park winning 47, drawing 19 and losing 19. Goals scored 180, goals conceded 85.
