Everton Football Club

Everton F.C. is a football club based in Liverpool competing in the English Premier League (EPL). Started in 1878, they were a founding member of the English Football league in 1888. Though they have not won the title since 1987, they are historically one of the most successful clubs in England with nine league titles and five FA cups. They also won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1985, thus far their only international silverware. No other club has spent so long in the top division as Everton, they celebrated their 100th year of top flight football during the 2005/2006 season.

Everton fans are often known as "Evertonians", especially amongst themselves.

Founding

Everton football club was born out of St. Domingo's school in 1878, when a team bearing the school's name began to play games in Stanley Park. With a growing reputation that was attracting the best players from neighbouring parishes, the team changed their name to Everton. With rapidly increasing support, it became clear Everton had outgrown Stanley Park and needed a proper ground to call home, they moved to an undeveloped plot which they rented from a local brewer, and over the course a small stadium was erected to accomadate their new fans. The ground was called Anfield, after nearby Anfield Road.

The football league was founded in 1988, and Everton were duly invited to become founding members. They won their first league title in the 1890/1891 season. However, with their new success and fame, came trouble at home. John Houlding, who owned Anfield, demanded a large increase in rent. Everton refused to pay, prefering to leave Anfield for a new ground at Goodison Park, where they remain to this day. Left with a stadium and no team, Houlding decided to found his own football club in 1892, Liverpool F.C.. They became Everton's greatest rivals, and eventually one of the world's top teams.

Recent History

The Kendall Years

Howard Kendall became manager in 1981 and helped to make the eighties the most successful period in Everton’s history. After winning the FA cup in 1983-84, they completed a double in 1984-85, when they were crowned league champions as well as winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup. It was their first European trophy, and still their only one to date. Having finished second to their neighbours Liverpool in 1985-86, they won the league again in 1986-87.

The following years were marked by instability and disappointment. Howard Kendall left following League success in 1987 to manage Athletico Bilbao to be replaced by Colin Harvey. After a poor start to the 1990-91 season, Kendall returned to replace Harvey but he failed to return Everton to the top of the table. Kendall left the club for the second time in 1993.

The Premier League

Mike Walker was appointed to replace Kendall. His first season in charge very nearly saw the club relegated. Only an incredible 3-2 victory over Wimbledon on the last day of season saved Everton from ignominy and disaster. That game saw Everton recover from a two goal deficit to win and keep their place in the Premier League. It is known as the "The Great Escape" by Everton fans. It did not save Mike Walker however and after a poor start to the following season, he was replaced by Joe Royle.

In 1995-96, Everton enjoyed a brief break from their trials under Royle. He helped them to win the FA cup in his first season, and the following season, Everton finished 6th in the league, narrowly missing qualification for the UEFA cup. However, after a disastrous start to the 1996-97 season, Royle made way for Kendall to return for yet another term.

Kendall’s third reign was marked by further disappointment, as Everton returned to battling relegation. The appointment did not last long, and following a season in which Everton only managed nine wins in thirty-eight games he was himself replaced by Scotsman Walter Smith, who had enjoyed massive success in the Scottish Premier League with Glasgow Rangers.

Smith’s arrival coincided with a change of Everton’s ownership. Chairman Peter Johnson was bought out and replaced by the west-end mogul, Bill Kenwright.

The Smith years were characterised by a high turnover of players, and continued underachievement. In 2002, as Everton struggled once more to avoid relegation, Walter Smith’s tenure at Everton ended.

The Moyes Years

The young David Moyes was recruited from Preston North End despite his scant managerial experience. In his first press conference, he described Everton as “The People Club”, referring to his experience that the “man on the street” in Liverpool was an Everton fan, and that the club was born and supported by the community, rather than a rich commercial conglomeration. The phrase struck a chord with Evertonians, and it became the official slogan and mantra of the new regime.

His first task was to save Everton from relegation, and he succeeded. The following season (2002-03), he built on his success, guiding Everton a 7th place finish, the highest Everton had risen since 1995-1996. For his achievement, League Manager’s Association (LMA) voted him Manager of the Year.

His second full season, was disappointing as the team failed to find their form. Everton finished 17th amidst rumours of dressing room disagreements between Moyes and his players. However, Kenwright withheld the axe, and Everton started their third full season under David Moyes in a subdued mood.

Following a tumultuous summer that saw the departure of their homegrown superstar, Wayne Rooney, for Manchester United, and signing of low-key players like Tim Cahill and Marcus Bent, Everton surprised everybody with a sensationally successful season. They ended up 4th in the league, qualifying for the Champions League. It would be their first time in Europe since 1995. David Moyes collected his second LMA manager of the year award. Tim Cahill Proved to be a fantastic signing, finishing as Everton’s top scorer in his first season

The highs turned to lows once more however and the successful 2004-05 season was followed by the disappointing 2005-06 season that saw Everton finish 11th having also failed to make it past the first round of the Champions League or the UEFA cup.

The roller coaster continued next season. 2006-07 saw Everton rebound impressively, rising to 6th place in the league, and qualifying for UEFA cup.

2007-08 bucked the trend, and proved Everton were capable of consistent performance. Their strong challenge for 4th place and Champions League qualification ultimately failed, however they secured 5th place and UEFA cup qualification. With sixty-five points, they beat the total that saw them take fourth spot in 2004-06.