On September 8th, 1888, Everton, and 9 other teams, played their first ever league game. Everton’s first opponents were Accrington FC (not to be confused with Accrington Stanley – the teams are not related). Before the season started, Everton had three friendlies: a 4-1 win over Padiham (two goals from George Farmer, one from Edgar Chadwick and an own goal); a 1-2 defeat to Blackburn Olympic (Edgar Chadwick scored Everton’s only goal); and a 2-1 win over Halliwell Jubilee (one goal each for Edgar Chadwick and George Farmer).