On This Day In Everton History: April 2nd

April 2nd has been an extremely forgettable day in Everton history. In fact, there isn’t much history that has come on this date at all. But, there are still some things to look back on, so let’s take a look at how the second day of April shaped Everton’s past as we know it.

1892: Edgar Chadwick sets scoring record

In a time when Everton was just starting to make a name for themselves on the domestic stage, they were also making history on the international stage. Edgar Chadwick was one of the more talented forwards the Toffees have ever had. He was one of the first superstars for the club and helped lead Everton to their first league title in their history. Chadwick scored 97 goals in 270 appearances, a number that stands up near the top with some of the best forwards in the club’s history.

On April 2nd, 1892, the Englishman added another line to his resume. In an international match against Scotland, Chadwick took things into his own hands early into the match. And I mean early. The Everton forward scored just 35 seconds into the game, setting a new record for quickest goal for the Three Lions. The record would stand until 1919 when another Everton player, Jack Cock, broke it, scoring just 30 seconds in.

1932: Everton grab another big victory in their title pursuit

In 1930-1931, Everton found themselves in the second division after being relegated the season prior. Fortunately, for Evertonians, their stay was not a long one as the Toffees dominated the league to win the title and get back to the top division just a year after they had left. With tons of momentum, Everton hoped to carry their success into the following season and boy did they. The Toffees went unbeaten in 14 of their first 17 games, winning 13 of them, but as December began, things took a turn for the worst. They would lose 8 of their next 12 matches, a streak that carried them through mid-February, leaving things looking bleak for another title. But, despite their struggles in the winter, things would take another turn and it would prove to be an extremely important one in Everton history, which brings us to April 2nd, 1932.

With the Toffees in the midst of a seven-game unbeaten streak, they welcomed Grimsby Town to Goodison Park. The first time these teams faced off that season wasn’t an easy one as Everton won narrowly, 2-1, on the road and this one wouldn’t be smooth sailing either. The Toffees would give up 2 goals to the soon-to-be relegated side, but thankfully they brought their A-game on the attack. Jimmy Dunn scored a brace to go along with a goal apiece from Tommy Johnson and captain Dixie Dean as Everton took down Grimsby Town, 4-2. The win was part of a ten-game unbeaten streak that allowed the Toffees to wrap up the league by the end of the month, winning the first division in the same year they were promoted back to English Football’s top league.

And THAT is today in Everton history!