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.

Dublin-born Matthew Mooney moved to Liverpool with his family and was a plasterer like his father James. In 1918, he married Lydia Miller and the following year, they had a child – a daughter named Lorna. Sadly, their daughter died when she was only 4 weeks old.

It is likely that Mooney was an Everton supporter because when he attended the derby, he was wearing a blue suit. In the early stages of the game, Mooney suddenly collapsed. He was taken on a stretcher to the dressing room but unfortunately, it was too late, he could not be saved. He was only 36 years old. His cause of death was reportedly a seizure.

The sad occurrence of Mooney’s passing was a stark contrast to a popular photo of an Everton player (possibly Sam Chedgzoy) smilingly engaging with the fans, which was taken in the same game.

It is implied that Everton sent their condolences to Mooney’s widow as a “letter of thanks” was read on her behalf in a directors’ meeting. His sudden death happened only a week before what would have been the Mooneys’ sixth wedding anniversary. His widow Lydia did not remarry until her death in 1969.

Mooney’s funeral took place 5 days after his death and he is buried at Allerton Cemetery. Two years later, his mother Catherine died and is buried alongside him.

Matthew Mooney’s death at Goodison Park during a Merseyside derby echoes the great Dixie Dean’s demise 56 years later. While, unsurprisingly, Dixie’s death resulted in a lot of mourning and tributes, Matthew Mooney was seemingly quickly forgotten.