On This Day in Everton History: September 3rd

As we approach the start of the season, let’s take a look back at some of the club’s starts to a campaign as we look at how this date shaped Everton history as we know it!

1892 - Everton play in first ever League match at Goodison Park

We as Everton fans have come to know and love Goodison Park for its unbelievable atmosphere and the memories that the club has shared with its fans there, but for the first 14 years of Everton’s existence, there was no Goodison Park.

Until 1892, the Toffees had played their football elsewhere, including Anfield, before moving to their current home.

But, on September 3, 1892, after a 2-2 friendly draw with Bolton to official open the stadium the Toffees stepped on to the Goodison field against Nottingham Forest, marking the first time the team had played a league game at Goodison Park.

Things did not get off to a good start as Horace Pike scored for the visitors for the first goal at the Toffees’ new stadium. Everton would respond, though, when centre-forward Fred Geary found the back of the net to level before Alf Milward put them ahead later in the match. It would finish 2-2, but it was certainly not lacking excitement as Everton christened their new stadium with a point.

The club would go on to win ten of their 15 league matches in their first season at Goodison, finishing third behind Preston North End and Sunderland.

As we all know, the club still plays its football there, but the end is near as they hope to move into a brand new facility in the near future.

1906 - Everton win by biggest margin in a league game in their history

After finishing 11th the season prior, but winning the coveted FA Cup for the first time in their history, the club was hungry for more as they entered the 1906-07 campaign. They had just two trophies to their name in their almost 20-year history, despite finishing in a close 2nd in either the FA Cup or the league on six previous occasions.

So, as they entered their next season, Everton were looking for more and they got it right from the start. The club drew their first game before winning eight of their next 11 including a six-game winning streak spanning from the end of September to the beginning of November.

But their most impressive win, by far, came in their second match of the campaign. On September 3, 1906, the Toffees hosted Manchester City for their first home game of the season. City had finished fifth the year prior and Everton were looking to make a statement early in the season - and, boy, did they.

The Toffees came out all guns blazing, jumping on their opponents quick and fast. Alex Young led the way with four goals, followed by Jimmy Settle with two and Walter Abbott, Hugh Bolton and Jack Taylor, who all had a goal apiece. Everton would rout Manchester City 9-1 that day for their biggest win in a top-flight match.

The Toffees would go on to finish third that year, a significant improvement on their previous season, while finishing runners-up in the FA Cup to Sheffield Wednesday. It would be almost another decade before the club brought another trophy home to Goodison Park.

And THAT is today in Everton history!