Everton Football Club
the Toffees.

Everton First-Team Squad

David Moyes’ Toffees are led by captain and defensive rock James Tarkowski, with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford behind him. Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye and record signing Jack Grealish provide creativity and flair, while James Garner and the tireless Idrissa Gueye anchor the midfield at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Squad correct as of the summer 2026 window, which runs until 1 September — numbers and personnel may change. Follow every Everton fixture and prediction at AI Pro Prediction and our Premier League predictions hub.

Everton: A Complete Guide to the Toffees

Origins and Identity

Everton Football Club were founded in 1878 and are one of the oldest and most historic clubs in English football. Based on Merseyside in Liverpool, Everton — known as the Toffees — are a founding member of the Football League and one of the most successful English clubs of the twentieth century. With a proud tradition and a rich history of success, Everton hold a special and honoured place in the story of the English game.

Playing in their famous royal blue shirts, Everton’s identity is rooted in their long and distinguished history, their passionate Merseyside support and the motto “Nil Satis Nisi Optimum” — “nothing but the best is good enough”. After more than a century at their beloved Goodison Park, the club has embarked on an exciting new era at a spectacular new stadium, marking a landmark moment in Everton’s long and storied history as the People’s Club.

One of English Football’s Founding Giants

Everton’s place in the history of English football is secured by their status as one of the founding members of the Football League in 1888. The club was one of the dominant forces of the early era of organised football, winning league titles and establishing itself as one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the country. Everton have spent more seasons in the top flight of English football than almost any other club, a testament to their enduring status and consistency.

This long and distinguished heritage, stretching back to the earliest days of the organised game, gives Everton a unique and honoured place in English football. The club’s nine league titles place it among the most successful English clubs of all time, and its record of top-flight longevity is one of the proudest in the game. Everton are, quite simply, one of the grand old institutions of English football, with a history to rival almost any club in the land.

Everton Season-by-Season: Recent Premier League Record

The table below charts Everton’s Premier League finishes across recent seasons, illustrating a challenging period in which the club battled against relegation and financial difficulties, including a points deduction, before stabilising under the experienced management of David Moyes in his second spell at the club.

As the data shows, Everton endured several difficult seasons, fighting relegation battles and being handed a points deduction for financial regulation breaches, before the return of David Moyes brought greater stability. Under Moyes, the club steadied itself and secured mid-table finishes, providing a foundation from which to rebuild as Everton entered a new era at their spectacular new stadium.

The Glory Years

Everton have enjoyed several periods of great success throughout their history. The club won league titles in the early decades of the twentieth century and again in the 1930s, when the legendary striker Dixie Dean set a record for goals in a single season that still stands to this day, one of the most remarkable individual feats in the entire history of English football. Dean remains an iconic figure in the club’s history and one of the greatest goalscorers the game has ever seen.

Everton’s most recent golden era came in the mid-1980s, when a brilliant side managed by Howard Kendall won two league titles, the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1985. This team was among the best in Europe at the time and is fondly remembered as one of the greatest in the club’s history. The blend of skill, physicality and winning mentality that Kendall instilled made his side a formidable force both at home and abroad. Tragically, the Heysel disaster and the subsequent ban on English clubs from European competition denied that outstanding Everton side the chance to compete for the European Cup at the peak of their powers.

Everton’s Major Honours

Everton are one of the most decorated clubs in the history of English football. The Toffees have won nine league titles, five FA Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup, placing them among the most successful English clubs of all time. The full breakdown of the club’s major honours is charted below, reflecting a trophy cabinet befitting one of the grand old institutions of the English game.

This impressive collection, headlined by nine top-flight league titles and the European Cup Winners’ Cup of 1985, underlines Everton’s status as one of the most successful clubs in English football history. While the club has endured a long wait for major silverware in the modern era, its proud record of achievement, its top-flight longevity and its rich heritage place it firmly among the aristocracy of the English game.

The Long Wait and Modern Struggles

Despite their proud history, Everton have endured a long wait for major silverware, with their last trophy coming in the FA Cup of 1995. The modern era has been a period of frustration and, at times, struggle for the Toffees, who have battled to recapture the glories of the past. In recent seasons, the club has fought relegation battles and grappled with financial difficulties that resulted in a points deduction, testing the loyalty and patience of the Everton faithful.

These challenges made the return of David Moyes, and the move to a spectacular new stadium, all the more significant as the club sought to turn a corner and build a brighter future. For a club of Everton’s history and stature, the difficulties of the modern era have been painful, but the passion and loyalty of the supporters have never wavered, and there is genuine hope that the new stadium and a period of greater stability can herald a return to better days. Follow all of Everton’s matches with our Premier League match predictions throughout the season.

A New Home: The Hill Dickinson Stadium

One of the most significant developments in Everton’s modern history has been the move to a spectacular new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on the Liverpool waterfront, known as the Hill Dickinson Stadium. After more than 130 years at their beloved Goodison Park, one of the most historic grounds in English football, Everton’s move to a state-of-the-art new home marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter and a landmark moment in the club’s history.

The new stadium, with a significantly larger capacity than Goodison Park, provides Everton with the modern infrastructure and increased revenue required to compete at the highest level and to build towards a brighter future. The move to the waterfront has also brought major investment and regeneration to the area of Liverpool. While leaving the historic Goodison Park was an emotional moment for supporters, the magnificent new stadium represents the club’s ambition and its determination to reclaim its place among the elite of English football. The waterfront setting, overlooking the River Mersey, has created one of the most striking and modern stadiums in the country. The stadium is expected to become an iconic landmark on the Liverpool skyline and a symbol of the club’s renewed ambition for years to come.

The David Moyes Era

The return of David Moyes to Everton in January 2025 marked the beginning of a new and hopeful chapter for the club. Moyes, who had previously enjoyed a long and successful first spell as Everton manager, during which he established the club as a stable and competitive Premier League side, returned to steady a club in difficulty and to lead it into its new era. His experience, his understanding of the club and his proven ability made him an ideal choice to stabilise Everton.

In his first spell in charge, Moyes built well-organised, competitive Everton Teams that regularly finished in the upper reaches of the Premier League and reached an FA Cup final, earning enormous respect for his work at the club. His return brought a sense of familiarity and stability, and under his guidance Everton steadied themselves and secured their top-flight status. The task now is to build on that foundation and, in the new stadium, to guide Everton towards a brighter and more successful future.

The Friedkin Group Ownership

Everton entered a new era off the pitch with the takeover of the club by the Friedkin Group, led by the American businessman Dan Friedkin, who also owns the Italian club Roma. The new ownership brought fresh investment, stability and ambition to Everton after a difficult period, providing the resources and vision required to complete the move to the new stadium and to rebuild the club’s fortunes on and off the pitch.

The Friedkin Group’s takeover represented a significant moment in Everton’s modern history, offering the prospect of a more stable and ambitious future after the financial difficulties of previous years. The combination of new ownership, a spectacular new stadium and the experienced management of David Moyes has given Everton supporters genuine hope that the club can move forward with confidence and begin to reclaim its status as a force in English football.

Goodison Park: A Historic Farewell

For more than 130 years, Goodison Park was Everton’s home and one of the most historic and atmospheric grounds in English football. Known as “the Grand Old Lady”, Goodison hosted countless memorable matches, including World Cup fixtures, and was renowned for its passionate atmosphere and its place at the heart of the local community. The old stadium held a special place in the affections of generations of Everton supporters.

The move away from Goodison Park to the new waterfront stadium was an emotional and poignant moment for the club and its fans, marking the end of an era steeped in history and memories. While the magnificent new stadium offers exciting possibilities for the future, the farewell to the Grand Old Lady was a deeply significant occasion, honouring the ground that had been the backdrop to so much of Everton’s history and the home of the People’s Club for well over a century.

Legendary Players Through the Ages

Everton’s long history is adorned with some of the greatest players ever to grace English football. Dixie Dean, whose record of 60 league goals in a single season remains one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of the game, is an iconic figure and one of the greatest goalscorers of all time. The club’s history also features legends such as the brilliant Alan Ball, a World Cup winner with England, and the stars of the successful 1980s side.

Everton legends also include the likes of Neville Southall, widely regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers of his era, the elegant Kevin Sheedy, and, in the modern era, the beloved striker Duncan Ferguson and the prolific Romelu Lukaku. Ferguson in particular became a cult hero at Goodison Park, embodying the passion and fighting spirit that Everton supporters cherish. From the earliest days through to the present, Everton have been represented by players of the highest calibre, whose contributions have written the club’s distinguished history and earned their place in the affections of the Toffees’ faithful.

The Merseyside Derby

Everton’s greatest rivalry is with their Merseyside neighbours Liverpool, contested against Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby — one of the oldest and most keenly contested fixtures in English football. Uniquely, the rivalry is often described as the “friendly derby”, with families and communities across the city divided between the two clubs, though the matches themselves are fiercely competitive and carry enormous significance for supporters of both sides.

The Merseyside Derby is a central part of Everton’s identity and one of the highlights of every season. The proximity of the two clubs, both based in the city of Liverpool, gives the fixture a unique intensity and importance, and victory over their illustrious neighbours is cherished by the Everton faithful. The derby has produced countless memorable moments over its long history and remains one of the great occasions in the English footballing calendar.

The People’s Club and Community

Everton are known as “the People’s Club”, a title that reflects the club’s deep roots in the working-class communities of Liverpool and its strong connection to its supporters and its local area. This identity is central to what Everton represents, and the club has long been renowned for its community work and its bond with the people of Merseyside. The Everton in the Community charity is regarded as one of the finest and most effective in English football. Its pioneering programmes have set the standard for how a football club can serve and support its local area.

This deep connection to its community and its status as the People’s Club are among Everton’s greatest strengths and most cherished traditions. The loyalty and passion of the Everton faithful, who have supported the club through both the glory years and the more difficult recent times, are legendary, and the bond between the club and its supporters remains at the very heart of what Everton stands for as one of the grand institutions of English football.

Dixie Dean: A Goalscoring Legend

No figure looms larger in Everton’s history than William “Dixie” Dean. In the 1927–28 season, Dean scored an astonishing 60 league goals in a single campaign, a record that has never been beaten and is widely regarded as one of the greatest individual achievements in the history of football. His remarkable goalscoring exploits fired Everton to the league title and made him an icon not only of the club but of the entire English game.

Dean’s legacy at Everton is immense, and he is commemorated by a statue outside the club’s former home at Goodison Park. His record of 60 goals in a season stands as a monument to a bygone era and a testament to one of the most prolific goalscorers the game has ever seen. For Everton supporters, Dixie Dean represents the club’s proud heritage and its history of footballing greatness, and his name is spoken with reverence to this day.

The Kendall Era and 1985 Glory

The most successful period in Everton’s modern history came under the management of Howard Kendall in the mid-1980s. Kendall, himself a former Everton player, built a magnificent side that dominated English football, winning two league titles in 1985 and 1987 and lifting the FA Cup. This brilliant team, featuring outstanding players such as goalkeeper Neville Southall and midfielder Peter Reid, was among the finest in Europe at the time.

The crowning achievement of the Kendall era came in 1985, when Everton won the European Cup Winners’ Cup, defeating Rapid Vienna in the final to claim the club’s first and only major European trophy. That Everton side was arguably one of the best teams never to compete for the European Cup, denied the opportunity by the ban on English clubs from European competition that followed the Heysel disaster. The Kendall era remains a cherished and glorious chapter in the club’s history.

Playing Philosophy and Identity

Throughout its history, Everton have been associated with an attractive, traditional style of football, earning the nickname “the School of Science” in the early decades for their skilful, cultured play. This reputation for playing the game the right way is an important part of the club’s identity and heritage, reflecting a commitment to footballing excellence that is embodied in the club’s famous motto.

In the modern era, under David Moyes, Everton have prioritised organisation, resilience and hard work as the club navigated challenging circumstances. Sean Dyche and other managers before Moyes’ return had prioritised defensive solidity as a means of survival during the club’s toughest recent seasons. As Everton look to the future in their new stadium, the aspiration is to combine the club’s traditional footballing values with the ambition and quality required to compete at the highest level once more. Restoring Everton to a position where they can play the attractive, successful football of their proud history is a key goal for the club’s new era.

The Everton Faithful

Everton are renowned for the passion, loyalty and knowledge of their supporters, who are regarded as among the most dedicated in English football. The Everton faithful have supported the club through both the glory years and the more difficult recent times, filling Goodison Park and now the new stadium and creating a fervent atmosphere. Their unwavering loyalty, even during the club’s struggles, is one of Everton’s greatest assets.

The bond between Everton and its supporters is a defining feature of the club, rooted in the shared history and the strong sense of community that characterises the People’s Club. The passion of the fans, their emotional connection to the club and their enduring hope for a return to the glory days are central to what Everton represents. As the club enters its new era, the support of the Everton faithful will be crucial to the pursuit of a brighter future.

Everton Women

Everton have a proud tradition in the women’s game, with Everton Women competing in the top tier of English women’s football. The club has a long history in the women’s game and has enjoyed success over the years, and it remains committed to developing its women’s team as part of its broader footballing ambitions. The growth of the women’s game has seen increased investment and attention across the sport.

Everton’s commitment to the women’s team reflects its status as a forward-thinking, community-focused club, and the women’s side plays an important role in the wider Everton family. As women’s football continues to grow in profile and popularity, Everton are determined to build a competitive and successful women’s team worthy of the club’s proud traditions and passionate support, adding another dimension to the club’s identity and ambitions.

Top-Flight Longevity

One of Everton’s proudest records is their remarkable longevity in the top flight of English football. Everton have spent more seasons in the top division than almost any other club in the history of the English game, a testament to the club’s consistency, resilience and status as one of the grand institutions of the sport. For much of the twentieth century and beyond, Everton were an ever-present force in the top flight.

This record of top-flight longevity is a source of enormous pride for the club and its supporters, reflecting Everton’s enduring place among the elite of English football across the decades. Even during more challenging periods, the club’s determination to preserve its top-flight status has been evident, and maintaining its place among the best has been a fundamental part of the Everton identity throughout its long and distinguished history. This resilience, the refusal to accept decline, is woven into the very fabric of the club and its supporters.

Everton in Europe

Everton have a proud, if at times frustrated, history in European competition. The club’s crowning European achievement came in 1985 with the European Cup Winners’ Cup, but Everton’s brilliant side of that era was cruelly denied the opportunity to compete for the European Cup by the ban imposed on English clubs following the Heysel disaster. It remains one of the great “what ifs” of English football, as that Everton team was among the best in Europe.

In more recent times, Everton have qualified for European competition on a number of occasions, competing in the UEFA Cup and Europa League, though sustained European success has eluded the club in the modern era. As Everton look to rebuild in their new stadium, a return to European competition is one of the ambitions that would signal the club’s resurgence. For a club with Everton’s history and stature, competing in Europe once more is a goal befitting its proud heritage.

The Road to Recovery

After a difficult period marked by relegation battles, financial difficulties and a points deduction, Everton have sought to stabilise and rebuild under new ownership and the experienced management of David Moyes. The combination of the Friedkin Group’s investment, the move to a spectacular new stadium and a period of greater stability on the pitch has given the club a platform from which to recover and to look to the future with renewed optimism.

The road to recovery for a club of Everton’s history and ambitions is about more than simply avoiding relegation; it is about rebuilding the foundations required to compete once more at the top end of the Premier League and to challenge for honours. The new stadium provides the modern infrastructure and increased revenue to support this ambition, and the club’s supporters dare to dream that Everton can climb back towards the elite and end the long wait for silverware that has defined the modern era.

A Proud Heritage

Everton’s heritage is one of the richest in English football. From the club’s founding role in the Football League, through the goalscoring feats of Dixie Dean and the glory of the Kendall era, to the club’s remarkable top-flight longevity and its status as the People’s Club, Everton’s history is a source of immense pride. Few clubs can match the depth and distinction of Everton’s traditions and achievements across nearly 150 years.

This proud heritage provides both a foundation and an inspiration as Everton embark on their new era. The club’s supporters, acutely aware of the glories of the past, dream of a future worthy of that history, and the move to a magnificent new stadium offers the opportunity to build a new chapter befitting one of English football’s grand old giants. Everton’s rich heritage is not merely a matter of nostalgia but a standard against which the club’s future ambitions are measured.

Looking Ahead

As Everton enter a new era in their magnificent new stadium, the club’s ambitions are clear: to rebuild, to reclaim its status as a force in English football and, ultimately, to end its long wait for major silverware. Under the experienced management of David Moyes, with the backing of the Friedkin Group ownership and the excitement of a spectacular new home, Everton have genuine reason for optimism after a difficult period. For a club with nine league titles and one of the proudest histories in the English game, the goal is to build towards a brighter future worthy of its rich heritage. The Toffees, backed by their passionate and loyal supporters, look forward to their new chapter with hope and determination, dreaming of a return to the glory days befitting one of English football’s grand old giants. Follow all the latest Everton fixtures and predictions throughout the campaign.