On Saturday 10th January, 1880, Everton were playing their second ever game, and their first ever away game – a friendly against Birkenhead Association. Three weeks previously, they beat St. Peter’s 6-0 at Stanley Park, so early signs looked promising. But those signs quickly faded.

In the first half, Birkenhead took the lead, and a player called Lythgoe became part of Everton history by scoring the first ever goal against them. However, even though he was credited as the goalscorer, the strike hit an obstacle on the way to the goal. That obstacle was the match referee, J. Farquharson. The Everton players questioned the legitimacy of the goal as the ball hit the referee, so the goal shouldn’t stand, and rightly so. But despite their protests, the assistant referees (then known as “umpires”) allowed the goal and the first half ended Birkenhead Association 1-0 Everton.

The Liverpool Mercury reported the match, and the incident therein:

The leather was kick-off at 3:30pm and some very good play took place on both sides but the Birkenhead pressed very hard, and succeeded in getting the leather very near their opponent’s goal, when the Birkenhead claimed a free kick for handball. The leather was kicked by Mr. Heaton to Mr. Lythgoe, who kicked it for goal, but owing to the referee being near the goal, the leather touched his leg, but went between the posts. The umpires were asked how was that for goal, and both of them gave it as a goal, their opponents would have it not so.

Everton went on to lose to Birkenhead 2-0 – the club’s first ever defeat. Lightning did not strike twice. The second goal was scored by a player called Heaton. So Heaton should be credited as the first ever player to score against Everton.

J. Farquharson is virtually untraceable – considering it was 1880 when the incident occurred, it isn’t much of a surprise. So this incident is more than likely to be the only record of him. At least it gives Evertonians a chance to enjoy the mystery of the first ever goalscorer against the club.