History

World Cup 1966 at Goodison Park

World Cup 1966 at Goodison Park

In 1966, England was the host nation for the world’s most glamourous football event. Seven cities were chosen to stage games, with Liverpool being one. London, Manchester, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Sheffield completed the set. Goodison Park in those days was a top stadium with great facilities and a capacity over 60,000. The stadium was admired and envied by many clubs in England, but this was to be shown to a worldwide audience. World champions Brazil played Bulgaria in Group 3 at Goodison Park on 12th July in front of 47,308 fans. There were no surprises, as Brazil led at the break,…
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The Everton Toffee Lady: Her Match Day Experience

The Everton Toffee Lady: Her Match Day Experience

Those of us who have attended Goodison Park on a matchday have always been familiar with the figure of a lady dressed in a blue and white dress, an apron, quaint bonnet and carrying a basket of Everton mints. She tosses handfuls of the black and white humbugs into the sections of the stadium, as she walks the perimeter of the pitch, with eagerly awaiting fans clutching whatever they can catch. The fans take for granted this ritual, which goes back to a date we can’t be precise on, but the duty was certainly performed in the 1950’s and possibly…
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Dixie Dean’s most cherished medal comes home

Dixie Dean’s most cherished medal comes home

Dixie Dean’s most prized medal came home at the weekend - and Everton have been given the opportunity to secure it for good. Famed memorabilia collector Gordon Wallis bought Dixie Dean’s 1927/28 League Championship winning medal - the season he set the Football League’s 60-goal scoring record - at auction in 1991. But to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Dixie’s remarkable achievement Mr Wallis agreed to bring the cherished medal back to its spiritual home. And at a special event organised by the Everton Heritage Society to celebrate the medal’s return, Mr Wallis hinted that it could one day enjoy…
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Bob Latchford’s 30 goal season

Bob Latchford’s 30 goal season

"Bobby Latchford walks on water", echoed the cry from the Goodison terraces as they idolised their Everton number nine. Everton were renowned for their famous number nines and Bob was no different. The Daily Express newspaper decided to offer a prize of £10,000 for a player to hit the back of the net thirty times in the 1977/78 season. The last time this feat had been achieved was back in 1972 when Francis Lee hit thirty three goals for Manchester City. Manager Billy Bingham signed Bob in 1974, for what was then a massive record signing fee of £350,000, with…
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Dixie Dean’s most cherished medal is coming home to Goodison Park

Dixie Dean’s most cherished medal is coming home to Goodison Park

Dixie Dean's most cherished medal comes home to Goodison Park The 1927/28 League Championship medal presented to Dixie Dean will be back at Goodison Park on eve of anniversary   One of the most cherished medals in Everton’s history is coming home. The League Championship medal presented to Dixie Dean after his record-breaking 60-goal season in 1927-28 will be back at Goodison Park - on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the legendary And fans are being invited to see it at a special celebration event. Saturday May 5, when Everton entertain Southampton, will be the 90th anniversary of…
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Harry Grundy An Everton Winger

When Elizabeth Bradley moved to work in Liverpool from Chirk, she caught the eye of William Grundy, then working as a groom. They were married in 1870, at the Welsh Chapel dedicated to St David on Brownlow Hill. The couple settled at 4 Moorside in Neston where the head of the household worked as a Coachman. It was here, on 15 March 1883, that their sixth child Thomas Henry was born. He became known affectionately as Harry. The 1891 census found the family living at 25 Parkgate Road where William had become the clerk at the local parish church of…
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Andrew Hannah, The only man to Captain Everton & Liverpool

Andrew Hannah, The only man to Captain Everton & Liverpool

Everton Heritage Society and Everton Football Club rededicate grave of important football figure The only man in history to captain Everton and Liverpool lies in a marked grave for the first time thanks to the efforts of the Everton Heritage Society and Everton Football Club. Andrew Hannah, who captained Everton to their first League Championship success in 1891, then led Liverpool to Lancashire League and Football League Division Two titles, had lain in an unmarked grave at Kilbowie Cemetery in Clydebank since his untimely passing in 1940. On Saturday Everton Heritage Society Chairman Brendan Connolly and former Echo Sports Editor Ken…
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Britton’s Blues

Britton’s Blues

In September 1948, Cliff Britton completed the short journey from Turf Moor to Goodison Park to become Everton manager. In so doing, he became the first former player to hold the position and his appointment offered hope for the future. At Burnley he was considered one of the most promising managers in England, leading the Clarets To promotion from the Second Division, an FA Cup final and third place in the top flight in successive years. Britton was a favourite son of Goodison, having enjoyed a distinguished playing career as half-back. He was, recorded a 1936 profile, ‘One of the…
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William Henry Briscoe

William Henry Briscoe

Having begun his career on Stanley Park, Liverpool-born William Briscoe first appeared in the Everton line up during their inaugural season in the Football League 1888-89.  Born 24 May 1866, he was the second of three children of parents William senior and his wife, Ann. The 1871 census recorded Ann and the three children boarding with the Kelly family at 15 Brisbane Street in Kirkdale, where she declared herself to be a ship steward's wife. The family later found a home of their own at 75 Windermere Street, where William junior, after finding work as a railway clerk, began playing…
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T.G. Jones at 100

T.G. Jones at 100 Posted by Rob Sawyer on October 12, 2017 12 October 2017 marks the centenary of the birth of Thomas George Ronald Jones in Queensferry, Flintshire. The tall, quiet son of a Connah’s Quay coal merchant would find his footballing feet at Wrexham F.C. but he would achieve immortality at Goodison Park. His first two initials, T.G. became synonymous with the art of cultured defensive play. In March 1936 the footballing eye of Toffees director Jack Sharp - himself a playing great – recognised the promise in the leggy teenage centre-half. In no time T.G. had swapped…
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