‘Everton FC in Everton Day’ – 17 May 2025
As Evertonians prepared for their emotional senior final farewell to Goodison Park, the Everton district where Merseyside football history began in 1878 once again prepared to welcome Blues’ fans to their spiritual home.
On Saturday 17 May between 11am and 1.30pm, the Everton FC Heritage Society, in tandem with the Friends of Everton Park (FOEP), opened the Everton Lock-Up below Browside for a very special ‘Everton FC in Everton Day.’
Fans were be able to step inside the 1787 structure, that has been at the heart of the club badge since 1938, when manager of the day, Theo Kelly, decided that not only was a distinctive new crest needed, but also a motto befitting one of the founder members of the old Football League . . . Nil Satis Nisi Optimum (Only The Best Is Good Enough).
Alongside the Lock Up once stood the nationally famous Everton Toffee Shop;
It is ironic that Everton FC have never played in Everton, but it was at the former Queen’s Head Pub in Everton Village where the fledgling St Domingo’s Church football team, playing at that time in Stanley Park, took the momentous decision to become Everton Football Club.
Expert historians of the official Everton FC Heritage Society were on site to interpret the football history relating to the Lock Up which was candle-lit inside on the day.
Fittingly, it now has a direct view to the club’s new dockside stadium.
Former Liverpool Echo sports editor, and Everton FC correspondent, Ken Rogers (who is also the current chairman of The Everton FC Heritage Society), walked fans to the site of the nearby Queen’s Head Hotel in Village Street, where an archaeological dig in 2015 revealed fascinating relics relating to the old Victorian pub, including a stoneware inkwell that, intriguingly, could have been used at the name change meeting.
Also onsite, author and history lecturer Mike Royden (vice-chair of the Society), guided fans through the history of the Lock Up and the associated sites.
Meanwhile, we also welcomed the arrival of ex-Everton FC winger Ronny Goodlass, born and brought up in Everton, who joined us to reflect on the important links between club and district, with personal memories of his Goodison days. He was apprentice to the great Alan Ball, and played alongside great stars such as Martin Dobson and Bob Latchford in that eventful late seventies era.
As always, the event was free, and both the excellent weather, and the fact that our final game at Goodison was the following day, ensured a fabulous and enthusiastic turnout. Many thanks to all fans who came along on the day.
Words – Ken Rogers
Photographs – Mike Royden / Rob Sawyer
Newsreel – Filmed by Mike Royden / Interviews by Rob Sawyer / Produced and Edited by Lewis Royden
Website layout & research – Mike Royden
…………………………………………………..
Gallery
Photos – Mike Royden
Photos – Rob Sawyer
.
Finally, if you were unable to come along and want to know more, we made a film! (click image below)
………………………………..
