On This Day In Everton History: March 27th

From Birthdays to FA Cup matches, March 27th is a packed day for Everton, so let’s take a look back at how this date shaped the club’s history.

1891: Everton’s Bobby Parker was born

On March 27th, 1891, one of the most prolific goalscorers in Everton history was born. Bobby Parker grew up in Glasgow, Scotland and began his professional career at home with Ashfield and Rangers. Then, in 1913, Parker made his debut in England when he was bought by the Toffees to lead their attack. This would prove to be one of their best investments to date as Parker hit the ground running with 17 goals in 24 appearances. The next year was no different as Parker topped the league with 36 goals in 35 appearances, while leading Everton to the title.

This is where the story turns tragic. After the 1914-1915 season, World War I broke out and Parker was on the front lines there, as well. During his time in the service, he would be hit by a bullet in the back, giving him an injury that he, seemingly, would never recover from. Parker wouldn’t return to English football until 1919, where he continued to score, but not with the same prowess as before. An unfortunate turn of events for one of the most talented players in Everton history.

Liverpool Echo

1915: Everton fall short in the FA Cup Semis

As the 1914-1915 season began, Everton were contenders, once again, for the league title, but this year was different from years in the past. They had a chance to win their first domestic double and with things looking good in the League table, Everton took on Chelsea in the FA Cup Semifinals on March 27th, 1915.

Chelsea, at the time, was not having a great season, but they did defeat Everton 2-0 at home earlier in the year. Now, in these days there were no substitutes and that would play a huge role in this one. After Harry Makepeace suffered an early injury, the Toffees had to play with ten men the rest of the way. That proved to be, as it does most times, very costly as Chelsea’s Harold Halse and James Croal both netted goals to give them a 2-0 win and a trip to their first-ever FA Cup Final.

Chelsea would lose the FA Cup to Sheffield United about a month later, but all was not lost for the Toffees. Everton went on to win the League Title by one point over Oldham Athletic. How did they get that final point? A 2-2 home draw vs. Chelsea, where Bobby Parker scored the final goal of the season.

1963: Everton’s Gary Stevens was born

Born on March 27th, 1963, Gary Stevens was a part of the Everton youth academy from a young age. He started out in midfield, but was then moved to right back where he found a home. The pacey Englishmen made a name for himself there, pushing his way into the Everton squad at just 18 years old. By 1983, Stevens was the full-time right back for the Toffees as they began one of their best runs in club history. He would make over 200 appearances in the Royal Blue shirt, becoming one of the best players to ever put it on.

2012: Everton move on to Wembley

The 2011-2012 season did not get off to a good start for the Toffees. Everton would lose nine of their first 17 games to find themselves in a difficult position moving forward the rest of the season. Fortunately, things would turn around as they would fight all the way back to 7th in the Premier League table by the end of the season.

In the midst of one of their best runs of the campaign, Everton found themselves in the fight for the FA Cup, as well. They had reached their 41st quarter-final in the competition, a record at the time, and now found themselves three wins away from a trophy. First up, was Sunderland. After a 1-1 draw at Goodison 10 days prior, the two sides faced off at the Stadium of Light on March 27, 2012.

The Toffees dominated this one from the start as Tim Cahill had multiple chances to put Everton up early, but with 20 minutes gone, it was still scoreless. Then, in the 24th minute, Marouane Fellaini found Magaye Gueye streaking down the left side. Gueye would put in a cross that Nikica Jelavic hit first time into the bottom corner. The Toffees led 1-0. They would get a second in 57th minute as Jelavic had a shot turned away by Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet that was, eventually, deflected in by defender, David Vaughan. Everton would advance to the FA Cup semis, winning 2-0, but that would be as far as they got. Despite an early goal, Liverpool would defeat the Toffees, 2-1, to advance to the Final where they would fall to Chelsea by the same scoreline.

And THAT is today in Everton history!