Goodison Park, Everton’s iconic home since 1892, has hosted some of football’s most historic and emotional moments. Built after a rent dispute at Anfield, it quickly became one of England’s first major football stadiums, boasting facilities like changing rooms and referee quarters, which were unheard of at the time.
The ground’s first football match, a 4-2 win over Bolton Wanderers, was played in early September 1892, while the first league match ended in a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest. Everton’s first league win came later that month in a thumping 6-0 over Newton Heath, the club that would later become Manchester United.
In 1894, Goodison hosted its first league derby between Everton and Liverpool, which the home side won 3-0 in front of 44,000 spectators. That same year, it was also selected to stage the FA Cup final, a significant recognition of its advanced infrastructure.
The ground hasn’t been without drama. In 1895, fans rioted after a waterlogged pitch caused a match to be abandoned, while a royal visit in 1913 saw King George V become the first monarch to attend a league ground. The women’s game also made history at Goodison in 1920, when 53,000 fans watched Dick, Kerr Ladies – a record for women’s club football that stood for nearly a century.
A decade later, Everton legend Dixie Dean sealed his place in football folklore by scoring his 60th league goal of the 1927-28 season at Goodison, a record that remains unmatched. In 1938, the stadium became the first in England with four double-decker stands, enhancing its grandeur.
During World War II, Goodison sustained bomb damage, but that didn’t stop record crowds in the post-war era. More than 78,000 fans packed in for a 1948 derby against Liverpool, still the stadium’s record attendance.
The ground continued setting standards in the 1950s, becoming the first in England with both floodlights and undersoil heating. In 1966, it played a central role in the World Cup, hosting matches featuring Brazil, Portugal, and West Germany. Pelé scored his final World Cup goal there, and Eusébio later called it the best stadium of his career.
In 1971, Goodison added another milestone with the construction of England’s first triple-decker stand. Nearly a decade later, football mourned the death of Dixie Dean, who suffered a heart attack at a derby while watching from the stands.
Goodison also became a symbol of unity and compassion. In May 1989, it hosted Liverpool’s first competitive match after the Hillsborough disaster, with tributes and solidarity evident across the terraces.
By 1997, fans voted overwhelmingly to leave the historic ground, though plans for a new stadium would take decades to materialise. Still, Goodison remained the beating heart of Everton’s fight for survival, none more so than in May 2022 when the team completed a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to beat Crystal Palace 3-2, securing Premier League safety. The raucous atmosphere and post-match celebrations, including Frank Lampard dancing on the roof, were a testament to the magic of Goodison Park – a ground that inspired passion, pride, and unforgettable memories.
