In the history of the Merseyside derby, only a handful have ever been postponed (at the time this piece was written) because of inclement weather and infectious diseases. Here is how they were all postponed, plus a would-be historic women’s derby too.
Stories
Matthew Mooney – A Derby Demise
On 4th October 1924, the Merseyside derby took place at Goodison Park. Over 50,000 fans were in attendance to watch Liverpool claim the bragging rights after an early goal from Archie Rawlings was enough to earn a win over Everton. However, one Evertonian did not return home.
Super Kev – A Goodison Hero
“Never fall in love with a loan player.” Kevin Campbell was very much an exception to the rule. After avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth in 1998, it looked like Everton had to go through that turmoil all over again the following season. But Super Kev made sure that did not happen.
Leasowe Pacific’s First Top-Flight Match
On Sunday 12th September 1993, Leasowe Pacific, who were adopted by Everton two years later, played their first ever top-flight match. They faced Wembley in the WFA National League Premier Division at their home ground, the Cuemasters Ground in Moreton.
Pelé At Goodison
On 22nd August 1960, England was chosen as the host of the 1966 FIFA World Cup, beating West Germany in the final round of voting, and on 1st May 1963, Goodison Park was selected as one of the stadiums. At the group stages, Goodison hosted three matches – all of them involving reigning World Cup winners Brazil:
- 12 July – Brazil v Bulgaria
- 15 July – Hungary v Brazil
- 19 July – Portugal v Brazil
Goodison Park’s First Women’s Football Matches
During the First World War, female factory workers started to form football teams to raise money for charity; the most famous one being Dick, Kerr Ladies. Women’s football quickly became very popular with match attendances often reaching five figures and remained popular after the war ended. Some matches were staged at Football League grounds, including Goodison Park.
Alan Ball’s Goodbye
On 18th December 1971, Alan Ball played in Everton’s 2-0 defeat to Derby at the Baseball Ground. Little did he know that when the full-time whistle was blown, he had played his last game for Everton. Just four days later, he left the Blues to join Arsenal for a fee of £220,000 – a British record fee at the time. Evertonians were devastated, and so was Ball.
Bengt Kjell – The Swedish Surrogate
On Sunday (1st November 2020), Robin Olsen became the first Swedish goalkeeper to play a competitive match for Everton. Despite the defeat against Newcastle, his performance was praised and was arguably the Blues’ man of the match. His debut came 70 years after another Swedish goalkeeper played for Everton – Bengt Kjell.
Everton’s First Overseas Match
On 30th April 1905, Everton played their first ever overseas match in Budapest. It was the first of seven matches of a tour of Austria-Hungary. In January the same year, the club agreed to do a European tour, visiting Budapest, Vienna and Prague. There was originally a plan for a European tour in 1903 but nothing went any further. The first match of the tour was against a combined XI of two Hungarian clubs – Budapesti Torna Club and Magyar Atletikai Club.
The Bradford Blizzard
In the 1904/05 season, Everton were cruelly denied the First Division title by one point. “Cruelly” being the operative word here as in November 1904, Everton were leading 3-1 against Arsenal at the Manor Ground but the match was abandoned 15 minutes before full-time due to fog. In the rematch the following April, Arsenal won 2-1. If the original match had continued right to the end, Everton could have been champions. Luck was against Everton that season but in 1915, it made up for it.