Inauguration of Goodison Park: 24 August 1892
Goodison Park was officially inaugurated by Lord Kinnaird, the president of the Football Association, notable for participating in nine FA Cup finals. Everton’s board acquired Mere Green Field, the site of the new stadium, due to a rental dispute with John Houlding, their previous landlord at Anfield. Constructed in three months by the Kelly Brothers at Walton, the stadium cost around £3,500 and featured stands on three sides along with a cinder bank on the Goodison Road side, with turf sourced from Aintree.
FA Cup Final: 31 March 1894
Goodison was chosen to host the FA Cup final between Notts County and Bolton based on its excellent facilities and previous issues at the Fallowfield venue. Notts County emerged victorious with a 4-1 win, making history as the first team outside the top flight to claim the FA Cup title. Goodison also hosted a FA Cup final replay in 1910, where Newcastle United triumphed over Barnsley.
First League Derby: 13 October 1894
The inaugural league derby between Everton and Liverpool occurred, with both teams drawing significant attention. The match attracted 44,000 spectators to Goodison, resulting in an Everton win of 3-0, firmly establishing a competitive rivalry.
Goodison Park Riot: 28 December 1895
A match against Small Heath was abandoned due to severe flooding on the pitch. In protest, fans besieged the club office demanding refunds, leading to chaos as the crowd engaged in vandalism, ultimately leading to police intervention to restore order on the pitch.
A Royal Visit: 11 July 1913
This marked the first time a reigning monarch visited a league ground as King George V and Queen Mary met local schoolchildren at Goodison Park, highlighting the stadium’s growing significance in British culture.
Record Crowds: 1948
Goodison Park set attendance records in 1948, with a staggering 74,721 fans attending an FA Cup match between Manchester United and Liverpool. An additional 12,000 fans were turned away. The immense popularity of football post-war was further illustrated with Liverpool’s visit later that year, drawing a crowd of 78,299, which remains the highest attendance at Goodison.
The Historic Comeback: 19 May 2022
James Tarkowski’s last-minute equalizer against Liverpool encapsulated a thrilling finale at Goodison. This dramatic moment ensured Everton’s enduring rivalry status at the stadium. Celebrations erupted as the team came from behind to clinch a vital win against Crystal Palace, exemplifying the deep connection between the club and its supporters amid relegation battles and triumphs.
