Everton FC

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Everton was founded as St. Domingo's FC in 1878 so that members of the congregation of St Domingo Methodist New Connexion Chapel in Breckfield Road North, Everton, could play sport year round – cricket was played in summer. The club's first game was a 1–0 victory over Everton Church Club. The club was renamed Everton in November 1879 after the local area, as people outside the congregation wished to participate. The club was a founding member of the Football League in 1888–89 and won their first League Championship title in the 1890–91 season. Everton won their second league title in 1914–15. In 1925 the club signed Dixie Dean from Tranmere Rovers. In 1927–28, Dean set the record for top-flight league goals in a single season with 60 goals in 39 league games, which is a record that still stands. He helped Everton win their third League Championship that season. Everton were relegated to the Second Division two years later during internal turmoil at the club. The club quickly rebounded and were promoted at the first attempt. On return to the top flight in 1931–32, Everton won a fourth League Championship at the first opportunity. Everton also won their second FA Cup in 1933. The era ended in 1938–39 with a fifth League Championship. Under manager Harry Catterick, Everton won the League Championship in 1962–63, the FA Cup in 1966, and the League Championship in 1969–70. Howard Kendall took over as manager and guided Everton to their most successful era: the FA Cup in 1984, two League Championships in 1984–85 and 1986–87, and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1985. Everton was a founding member of the Premier League in 1992.

In Their Own Story

The mid-1980s marked the club's most sustained period of success under manager Howard Kendall. In 1984–85, Everton won the League Championship and the European Cup Winners' Cup, defeating Rapid Vienna 1–0 in the final after a dramatic 3–1 semi-final victory over Bayern Munich. Despite trailing at half-time against the Germans, the team rallied to secure a spot in continental history as the only English club to win that specific trophy. Although they lost the FA Cup final to Manchester United that same year, preventing a treble, the following season saw them recapture the League title in 1986–87. This golden era ended when the Heysel Stadium disaster led to a ban on English clubs from continental competition, breaking up much of the title-winning squad.

Reader's Guide

Everton play at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as of the 2026–27 season. The club's traditional kit is royal blue shirts with white shorts and socks. Supporters are known as 'Evertonians', the 'Toffees' or the 'Blues'. The club's main rival is Liverpool, with whom they contest the Merseyside derby.

Did You Know?

• Everton is one of just three clubs to have been a founding member of both the Football League (1888) and the Premier League (1992).
• As of August 2025, Everton have competed in the top division for a record 123 seasons, having missed only four top-flight seasons: 1930–31, 1951–52, 1952–53, and 1953–54.
• Everton's most recent major trophy was the 1995 FA Cup.